65 trucks of illegally extracted Lapis Lazuli seized by Afghan forces

By Khaama Press - Thu Jun 09 2016, 9:15 am

The Afghan security forces have seized at least 65 trucks of Lapis Lazuli illegally extracted from a mine in northeastern Badakhshan province of Afghanistan.

A spokesman for the Ministry of Interior Sediq Sediqi told reporters Wednesday that the police forces are doing their best to prevent the illegal extraction of Lapis Lazuli.

Sediqi confirmed that the illegal mining are fueling war and unrest in the country as the mining has been one of the main source of financing the insurgency in the country.

He said those who were working to illegally extract mines in Badakhshan province have been arrested by the security personnel.

According to Sediqi, the Afghan forces have managed to prevent the extraction of minerals in central Logar and southeastern Khost provinces of Afghanistan.

In the meantime, a spokesman for the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, said the government will pave the way for the legal extraction of Lapisa Lazuli in Badakhshan once the security situation improves.

This comes as the Global Witness in its report released on Monday said the illegal mining of the minerals also funnels millions of dollars into the hands of corrupt warlords besides fuelling the conflict in the country.

The report by Global Witness further added at least 12,500 tonnes of lapis worth about $200 million have been extracted since 2014.

According to the report much of the mining have been done illegally or in a way that avoided nearly $30 million in government taxes.

The report also adds that the northeastern Badakhshan province where lapis lazuli is concentrated has been “deeply destabilized” by violent competition

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