Special Report | April 2026
In the remote mountains of Balkhab district in Afghanistan’s Sar-e Pol province, coal extraction continues without pause. Once largely overlooked, the area has now become one of Afghanistan’s most important mining centres. But for many local residents, this economic activity has not brought meaningful improvements to daily life.
Resources That Changed Balkhab’s Fate
Balkhab is one of the regions with significant coal reserves. In recent years, particularly since 2025, extraction has increased sharply and the area has become an important part of Afghanistan’s resource-based economy.
Officials present this expansion as part of a broader effort to strengthen the economy and reduce dependence on foreign aid. Mining operations involving dozens of tunnels and hundreds of workers are now active across the region.
But the importance of Balkhab’s mines is not only economic.
Balkhab’s mines are helping finance national projects, but not local prosperity.
Mines and the Roots of Tension
Analysts say control of Balkhab’s mines played a major role in the 2022 clashes between the Taliban and local forces. Those confrontations led to civilian deaths and the displacement of thousands of families.
Although large-scale violence has eased, its consequences are still felt in the area. Distrust between local communities and the authorities remains deep.
Revenues: Transparent or Hidden?
As foreign aid has declined, the Taliban administration has placed greater emphasis on natural resource extraction. In this context, Balkhab’s mines have become an important source of revenue.
Yet one central question remains unresolved:
How, and where, are the revenues from these mines being spent?
Contrary to what might be expected, Balkhab’s mineral wealth has not brought comfort, prosperity, or improved living standards to the region and its people. Over different periods, the proceeds from mining have largely benefited the de facto authorities and political power structures, while the share reaching local communities has remained relatively small.
These resources have never been meaningfully used to improve public welfare in Balkhab or to develop urban infrastructure, educational facilities, recreational spaces, or healthcare services in the district.
In the absence of independent oversight, it is difficult to assess how mining revenues are managed. Officials say these funds will be used for infrastructure projects, but clear evidence of tangible local benefits remains limited.
Living in the Shadow of the Mines
Residents of Balkhab describe a very different reality from the one presented in official narratives.
One resident said:
“Coal leaves this area, but poverty remains.”
While mining has created some jobs, many of these positions are temporary, low-paid, and lack basic safety guarantees and social protections.
Risks and Concerns
Reports indicate that working conditions in some mines fall short of proper safety standards. Workers have complained about inadequate equipment and the risk of tunnel collapses.
There are also wider concerns about the lack of financial transparency, the absence of independent monitoring, and the environmental impact of extraction.
Experts warn that if the current trend continues, natural resources may become a driver of inequality and instability rather than development.
An Uncertain Future
Balkhab now stands at a critical moment. On one hand, it has natural resources that could support genuine economic growth. On the other, persistent challenges continue to block that potential.
The central question is whether these resources will ever improve the lives of local people, or whether they will remain primarily in the service of existing power structures.
