Officials of the state-owned Northern Coal Company say nearly 1,000 tons of coal are extracted daily from mines in northern Afghanistan, a significant increase compared with last year.
According to officials, around 700 tons of coal were extracted from these mines per day on average last year.
Abdul Manan Mukhlis, commercial director of the Northern Coal Company, said: “Coal production in areas managed by the state-owned coal company has increased by 30% compared with last year. This is an achievement. Coal quality has also improved, and we can extract the types of coal needed by the market.”
Officials add that production is not limited to the current level and that extraction capacity can be further increased if demand rises.
Eimal Aryoubi, technical director of the Northern Coal Company, said: “In the mines of Dara-e-Suf district, both coal quality and production have improved. Mines that were previously operated unprofessionally are now up to 80% under the control of the state-owned coal company.”
Mohammad Azim Khairkhwa, head of marketing and sales at the company, said: “We assure everyone that coal production has increased significantly across all mines. We can supply as much Kanda, Jaghla and Badami coal as the market needs.”
Workers at the mines also say increased mining activity means more job opportunities for them.
Worker Esmatullah said: “I have been working in the mines for about a year. I also thank the state-owned company for providing us with job opportunities. If such opportunities increase, young people will no longer have to go abroad.”
Coal trader Amir Khan Wahidi said: “This coal ranks first in terms of quality and also has high heating value. I have worked in the coal sector for nearly 17 years and have extensive experience.”
Increased coal production could expand mining activities and create more jobs. Officials, however, say the continuation of this growth depends on demand and access to domestic and international markets.
