The Panjshir Media Office has announced that the increasing sales of emeralds from the province have contributed to the economic growth of local residents and significantly boosted the revenues of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan.
kabul 24: This statement follows an official auction held on Tuesday (January 13, 2026), where 4,177 carats of emeralds extracted from Panjshir mines were sold for a total of $47,610 to domestic gem traders.
Saifuddin Latun, spokesperson for the Afghan-appointed governor of Panjshir, confirmed that the bidding process was transparent, conducted in the presence of the provincial Mining Oversight Committee, and attended by Afghan traders.
Panjshir emeralds are renowned worldwide for their vivid green color, exceptional clarity, and high quality, often compared to top Colombian varieties.
These stones have helped connect Afghanistan to global gem markets and continue to attract interest from both domestic and international investors.
The provincial media office highlighted that with the end of winter and the start of the new year, extraction operations will officially begin at several newly identified mines across various districts of Panjshir.
These include fresh deposits of emeralds and beryl (a precious blue-green stone).The expansion of mining activities is expected to create new employment opportunities for the province’s interested youth.
Authorities have also anticipated technical cooperation with the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum of the Islamic Emirate, as well as potential partnerships with international companies, to ensure more modern, safe, and efficient extraction methods.
Panjshir province remains one of Afghanistan’s key sources of high-value gemstones, with hundreds of emerald mines (reports suggest over 700 active ones).
Recent auctions, including this one, reflect ongoing efforts to manage and monetize the region’s natural resources through formal and transparent channels.
These developments are seen as part of broader attempts to strengthen local and national economies through legal mining revenues. If sustained and properly managed, Panjshir’s emerald industry could play a vital role in Afghanistan’s mineral sector, alongside other resources like lapis lazuli and lithium.
