3 Sep 2025: The professional extraction of coal mines and the construction of connecting roads between the mines in Balkhab District of Sar-e-Pul Province were officially inaugurated in a ceremony attended by Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund; Director General of State-Owned Companies, Maulvi Ahmad Jan Bilal; CEO of the National Development Corporation, Abdul Rahman Attash; Governor of Da Afghanistan Bank, Noor Ahmad Agha; Governor of Sar-e-Pul, Mawlawi Mohammad Zarif Muzaffar; Governor of Bamiyan, Mawlawi Abdullah Sarhadi; and Governor of Faryab, Mawlawi Abdul Ahad Fazli, along with senior officials, scholars, and tribal elders.
In his remarks, Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar Akhund, emphasized that Afghanistan is a resource-rich country and highlighted the importance of establishing processing and production factories locally to maximize consumption, create job opportunities, and strengthen nationwide industry. Furthermore, he added that the Balkhab coal zone is among the country’s most significant and rich mineral resources, and the National Development Corporation is carrying out its extraction professionally and in accordance with international standards.
Mullah Baradar further noted that NDC has constructed over 200 kilometers of roads linking the mines to facilitate mining operations. The Deputy Prime Minister praised the efforts of the National Development Corporation and urged that extraction processes be conducted with higher standards, minimize waste, and comply with environmental protection principles. He promised local residents that the necessary coal would be supplied at reasonable prices and that social services would be expanded in the area.
Maulvi Ahmad Jan Bilal, Director General of State-Owned Companies, stated that companies under his supervision are committed to extracting coal mines professionally and preventing waste. He noted that the National Development Corporation has developed the mines in accordance with internationally accepted standards and emphasized that this is the first time in Afghanistan’s history that mining operations are being conducted in such a professional and advanced manner. He added that mines are a national trust, and each mine entrusted to them is treated as a national asset with careful preservation and utilization following all professional and legal standards.
At the same event, Mawlawi Abdullah Sarhadi, Governor of Bamiyan Province, emphasized that the responsibility for Afghanistan’s reconstruction and development rests with the Afghan people themselves. He stressed the importance of unity and cooperation, noting that the recent project is a clear example of national unity and collective effort. He also highlighted Afghanistan’s abundance of mineral resources and stressed that these should be managed responsibly to provide economic stability for future generations. He appreciated the National Development Corporation’s contributions and expressed hope for continued development initiatives in Balkhab.
Mawlawi Mohammad Zarif Muzaffar, Governor of Sar-e-Pul, noted that since the Islamic Emirate took power, practical steps have been taken to provide basic services in remote areas of the country. The inauguration of the Balkhab coal mines and connecting roads is a tangible example of these efforts. He stated that the project, implemented by the National Development Corporation, reflects the Islamic Emirate’s commitment to the proper management of the country’s natural resources and national development.
Up until now, approximately 100 mining pits have been dug in Balkhab, creating job opportunities for over 2,000 workers. Nearly 500,000 tons of coal are extracted annually from these mines, with plans to further increase production capacity.
It is worth mentioning that the Balkhab coal mines are among Afghanistan’s largest economic resources, and the professional extraction process managed by the National Development Corporation is considered a major achievement for the country’s energy and industrial development.
