2 MPs reject report on Lazuli illegal mining in Afghanistan

Two members of Parliament have rejected the report of Global Witness on illegal extraction of lazuli mining in Afghanistan.

They say this report is one-sided and they will complaint against this organization.

“The Global Witness report is baseless and far from reality,” Zalmay Mujadadi, member of Parliament said.

MPs move come only a few days after anti-corruption group Global Witness published a report warning that illegal extraction of the stone and other minerals was fuelling the rise of the Taliban in Badakhshan, a once famously peaceful corner of the country.

According to the London-based watchdog, the Afghan government lost at least $17.5 million in revenue from lapis lazuli in 2014 and $10 million in 2015. Armed groups earned an estimated $19.9 million in 2014.

Global Witness’ report also says that a local strongman identified as Abdul Malek has paid nearly $5 million in protection money to the Taliban over the last two years from his mining proceeds.

Afghanistan’s vast mineral assets — which include copper, gold, iron ore, emeralds and rubies — are estimated to be worth about $1 trillion, but authorities lack the money and expertise to fully develop the sector, and international firms are deterred by the deteriorating security situation and high levels of corruption.