Four Years of Siyah Dara Mining: Companies’ Social Obligations Remain Under Scrutiny

DID Press: Afghan Dorani Company has reaffirmed its commitment to fulfilling its social obligations and repairing the road in Siyah Dara, Yakawlang district, during a meeting with the Taliban-appointed governor of Bamyan. The commitment comes amid continuing questions about mining companies’ performance over the past four years and how funds allocated for community services have been spent.

The Taliban governor’s office in Bamyan said Nematullah Popalzai, head of Afghan Dorani Company, met with Gul Haidar Shafaq to discuss compliance with contractual obligations and the condition of the road leading to the Jast Ganda Kotl mine. The Taliban-appointed governor also called on the company to take practical steps to repair the road and address the needs of local residents.

Local sources say at least 12 companies operate in the Siyah Dara mines, with each company required to spend 4 million Afghanis annually on social and public services in surrounding villages. According to these sources, the companies have largely limited their activities over the past four years to planting a few saplings, without providing services commensurate with their financial commitments.

The sources also allege that 40 million Afghanis allocated for the companies’ social obligations was withdrawn by Nematullah Abbas, the Taliban’s former head of mining in Bamyan. The allegation has not been independently verified, and no documented information is available on the whereabouts of the money.

Uncertainty over the use of funds intended for community services highlights the need for greater transparency regarding the companies’ financial commitments and scrutiny of the performance of oversight bodies responsible for the Siyah Dara mines.