The North Takhar AOI contains one of the two largest gold placers in Afghanistan. Containing
several commercial grade reserves within the 6,000-square kilometer AOI, the largest reserve at Samti
has estimated reserves more than 30,000 kilograms. The previously published data on the Takhar placers
were collected before the development of satellite-based remote sensing platforms and several new
methods of geomorphic mapping that use digital terrain models and geographic information system
processing techniques. These new technologies and techniques may be integrated with previously
collected borehole sampling data and geomorphologic interpretations to reassess the alluvial gold placer
deposits in the Takhar region. The North Takhar AOI contains one of the two largest gold placers in Afghanistan. Containing several commercial grade reserves within the 6,000-square kilometer AOI, the largest reserve at Samti has estimated reserves more than 30,000 kilograms. The previously published data on the Takhar placers were collected before the development of satellite-based remote sensing platforms and several new methods of geomorphic mapping that use digital terrain models and geographic information system processing techniques. These new technologies and techniques may be integrated with previously collected borehole sampling data and geomorphologic interpretations to reassess the alluvial gold placer deposits in the Takhar region.
This summary is the result of geologic and compilation activities conducted during 2009 to 2011 among the U.S. Geological Survey, the U.S. Department of Defense Task Force for Business and Stability Operations, and the Afghanistan Geological Survey.

Some provincial officials said unprofessional mining was one of the reasons for halting gold mining in Takhar. Once the issue was resolved, they promised, gold extraction works would resume.

Mines and Petroleum Director Maulvi Abdul Nasir Haqqani said: “We received an order from the ministry about seven months ago to stop unprofessional mining until a new regulation is prepared. Thousands of workers have since been left unemployed.”
 

Maulvi Abdullah Nomani, chief of the coordination department at MoMP, said on his trip to Takhar: “At the head of a delegation, I’m here to evaluate the problems of mines and workers and to address them in accordance with the relevant rules.”

The companies having no contracts with the ministry or lacking the required skills would be prevented from illegal mining, he warned.

Takhar is a province blessed with mineral wealth, with most of its mines located in Chah Aab, Rustaq, Kalafgan and Khwaja Ghar districts, as well as Taloqan. Some elements are still attempting to illegally mine gold in these areas.

It is worth noting that the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum under the Taliban’s administration Oct 16, 2023 announced a contract for the extraction of goldmines in the Samti area of Cha Aaab district in Takhar, involving a Chinese company. Under the terms of the agreement, the Taliban will receive 56 percent of the mineral yields, while the Chinese company will be entitled to 44 percent.