Gold Mining
Illegal gold mining along the Indus River in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s Nowshera district poses a significant threat to the national and provincial exchequers, with authorities failing to curb the illicit activities. Numerous excavators operating in Nizampur town are engaged in the unlawful extraction of gold from sediments and sands, while the mining mafia employs heavy machinery to escalate their operations.
Despite the ongoing illegal mining for approximately two years, local residents lament the failure of the district administration, police, and the Mines and Minerals Department to take effective action against the perpetrators.
The mining mafia, reportedly comprising influential individuals, continues to exploit the lax enforcement, with the potential for substantial financial gains. An excavator, rented for Rs1.8 million, can allegedly extract gold valued at Rs10 million per month.
The Mines & Minerals Department’s additional director, refused to take action against the influential mafia members. The situation is exacerbated by the reported reluctance of authorities to address the issue due to the involvement of influential figures.
Deputy Commissioner Khalid Kattak acknowledged the ban on gold mining but highlighted the persistence of illegal extraction. The use of heavy machinery in 2022 accelerated the mining activities, intensifying during the outgoing year. Kattak mentioned the establishment of a joint check post by police and the Mineral Department to combat illegal mining and apprehend those involved.
The illicit gold mining not only jeopardizes the region’s environmental health but also poses a severe economic threat by siphoning off valuable resources from the national and provincial coffers. Despite sporadic attempts to curb these activities, the situation underscores the challenges in enforcing regulations and tackling influential elements involved in illegal mining.
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