Taliban arrest 5 people, including Chinese, for alleged lithium smuggling

According to Afghan media reports, the Taliban interim government’s Ministry of Oil and Mines announced the arrest of 2 Chinese and 3 Afghan nationals who attempted to illegally smuggle around 1,000 tons of lithium-containing rocks out of the country.

The ministry said 300 tons of rock were seized in Nangerhar and 700 tons of rock in Kunar province.

The Taliban officer who led the operation, Dr. Bashir told the press: “We became aware that there was a plan to smuggle these precious stones. 5 people were arrested, including 3 Afghans, 2 of whom were collaborators with a Chinese foreign smuggler and made most of the purchases.” he used his statements.

There are metals like copper, gold, uranium, bauxite, iron ore, chrome, lead, and zinc, mineral deposits like coal, soapstone, cotton stone, gypsum, sulfur, and marble in Afghanistan.

In addition, Afghanistan has the world’s richest reserves in terms of lithium and other rare metals, but the protracted conflict environment has negatively affected many economic areas of the country and prevented development in the mining field.

The Taliban administration, on the other hand, wants foreign companies to invest in these areas to develop the country’s economy. (AA)