New research paper out now: Lost in transition - gold mining and the political economy of Takhar, Afghanistan

Following the fall of Kabul in August 2021, the economy of Afghanistan has been severely weakened due to the withdrawal of foreign aid and the freezing of internationally held assets.

This paper examines the emerging dynamics, risks and opportunities within Afghanistan from the perspective of the gold mining industry in the north-eastern province of Takhar. While Afghanistan has relatively small value deposits compared with other resources, insights into the evolution of political economies surrounding the gold sector, its role in the economy and foreign intervention, shed light on broader dynamics of the extractives industry in the country.