Afghanistan's expanding gold mining sector is generating significant state revenue and economic growth for the Taliban government.
Too little corroboration in the last 3 days to call a trend (2 articles). Watching for it to gain traction.
"With jobs scarce in Afghanistan, the area has drawn workers from across the country. Mohammad Agha Khwaja Khail, from Kabul, has worked in mining for five years and earns 10,000 Afghanis ($150) a month loading trucks. 'It's better than anything else... There aren't many jobs in Kabul,' said the 21-year-old."
"The Taliban authorities have expanded the mining sector since returning to power five years ago, aiming to tap into Afghanistan's vast underground resources to boost state coffers. The World Bank said hundreds of mining contracts have been signed since 2021, with 'real growth averaging 25 to 30 percent' annually according to a May report."