Homayoun Afghan, spokesperson for the Taliban’s Ministry of Mines and Petroleum, announced that a clash occurred in Chah-Ab district of Takhar between local residents and workers of a contracted gold mining company.
He said the clash resulted in both financial losses and casualties, and added that a joint delegation has been dispatched to the area for further investigation.
Afghan emphasized that more details will be announced later.
The Taliban conduct mining operations across various provinces in Afghanistan, an activity that often faces backlash due to its lack of legitimacy.
Residents of Chah-Ab district in Takhar clashed with a contracted company over what they describe as “excessive” mining at the Semti gold mine. Various sources reported that several people were killed or injured in these incidents, although exact figures remain unclear.
Operations at the Semti gold mine began on (July 19, 2025). Taliban Minister of Mines and Petroleum, Hedayatullah Badri, attended a ceremony in Takhar to mark the occasion and promised that the contracted company would take necessary measures to provide employment opportunities and social services for local residents.
The mining contract was awarded to a Chinese-Afghan company, and the project is expected to be completed within five years.
