Emeralds Auctioned in Panjshir
The following are several reports on the auctions that have been taking place in Panjshir, Afghanistan.
We reached out and found that yes, the Taliban control the auctions, from start to finish. After the Taliban allow the people of Panjshir to work in the mines, they hold auctions – 15 so far. The miners have sold over $3.6 million in goods at auction, reportedly many lots of low quality, purchased by gem dealers. The Taliban government then takes their 10% royalty tax.
While the Taliban do allow miners to work and auction off their production in Panjshir, it is still extremely difficult to export gemstones. High taxes and duties beyond the 10% charge at auctions is required.- gr
Over 2500 carats of Emeralds Auctioned in Panjshir – March 2024
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has revealed that an additional 2,547 carats of emeralds, valued at $94,800, were sold during the 15th emerald auction held in Panjshir province. According to ministry data, a total of 50,022 carats of Panjshir emeralds have been sold in 15 auctions, amounting to a value of $3,626,800. Ministry officials have stated that 10 percent of the sold emeralds belong to the Islamic Emirate, while the remaining 90 percent are owned by local miners.
It is noteworthy that Panjshir province boasts approximately 1,700 emerald mines, employing around 10,000 Panjshirians in hundreds of mining operations.
The successful sale of emeralds in Panjshir province highlights the significant economic potential of the region’s mining industry. The ministry’s ongoing efforts to organize auctions and support local miners contribute to the growth and development of the emerald sector in Afghanistan.
PANJSHIR (BNA) The Panjshir Directorate of Mines and Petroleum announced today, Tuesday that a total of 1,519 carats of Panjshir emeralds were sold for a remarkable sum of $198,200.
The auction held in the presence of Hafiz Mohammad Agha Hakim, the governor of Panjshir province, the supervisory committee of Panjshir mines, and several stone merchants.
Emphasizing the importance of transparency, Governor Hakim highlighted that this marked the 10th Panjshir emerald auction held in a transparent atmosphere within the province.
He further expressed their commitment to ensuring legal procedures throughout the auction process.
Mawlavi Mohammad Qasim Amiri, the head of Panjshir Mines and Petroleum, revealed that this particular auction was the 10th of its round conducted by their department.
The auction featured a box of freshly mined Panjshir emeralds, weighing a total of 1,519 carats, which were sold to national merchants for the impressive sum of $198,200.
This successful sale follows a recent auction where another box of Panjshir emerald products, weighing a total of 2,746 carats, was sold through a tender for $80,000.
Panjshir province, renowned for its rich emerald mines, continues to attract attention with its high-quality gemstones.
ALL Totaled, Around 47,000 Carats of Emerald Sold in 14 Auctions: MoMP (Ministry of Mines and Petroleum)
By TOLOnews, TV Network
03 MARCH 2024 – Edited: 05 MARCH 2024
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum said that there are 1,700 emerald mines in Panjshir province,
for which 550 companies have been granted mining licenses.
According to the Ministry’s statistics, about 10,000 people are employed in the emerald mines of this province.
The Ministry of Mines and Petroleum has given statistics that 1,700 emerald mines have been discovered in Panjshir province and so far, nearly 47,000 carats of emeralds worth more than $3.5 million dollars have been sold to domestic traders in this province.
Meanwhile, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry sees the establishment of factories for the processing of emeralds and the provision of workspaces, especially for the sale of mineral resources abroad, as beneficial.
“Afghan traders should unite to establish an emerald processing factory, improve its quality, which currently goes to Pakistan for processing,” said Khan Jan Alokozay, a member of the board of ACCI.
“Afghanistan’s emeralds have a good market abroad, especially Europe. Before, the emeralds of Afghanistan were smuggled, but now their control has been achieved,” said Sakhi Ahmad Paiman, the deputy of the Chamber of Mines and Industries.
At the same time, a number of economic analysts emphasized the development of a specific strategy for the extraction of mines and the export of Afghan mineral resources through legal means.
“If the government legalizes [emerald mining] and mining is done legally, it will help us gain the emerald market worldwide,” said Mohammad Nabi Afghan, an economic analyst.
“If attention is paid and emeralds are properly mined and we work on international markets, I am hopeful that the world will show interest in them,” said Ferdaws Behguzin, an economic analyst.
Earlier, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce had stated that in the first nine months of 1402 (solar year), precious and semi-precious stones, including emeralds, worth more than two million dollars were exported to Pakistan, China, Uzbekistan, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, and Germany.”
During the 14th round of the #Panjshir province’s emerald auction, 6,887 carats of emeralds, valued at $217,000 and 250, were sold to Afghan traders.
Panjshir Governor Hafiz Mohammad Agha Hakeem announced during the ceremony that the #American Chamber of Commerce is interested in investing in mining and sales in Panjshir. Mr. Hakeem further stated that the American Chamber of Commerce will convene a joint meeting with Afghan businessmen in #Kabul in the upcoming days.
