COAL MINING IN AFGHANISTAN - A THIRD-WORLD PARADIGM OF PROBLEMS AND OPPORTUNITIES

Afghanistan is undergoing a resurgence in coal mining. Estimates of production exceed 200,000 tons per year, approximately that of prewar levels. Demand far exceeds supply, and new mines are opening daily. In contrast to prewar and Soviet-era semi-mechanized government mines, current mining is largely by primitive artisinal methods. Safety and environmental regulations are not utilized, and financial irregularities exist. Mining is poorly planned and executed, resulting in frequent accidents, spoilage of the resource, and potential environmental and human-health problems.

Coal utilization in Afghanistan has historically been restricted to households and small industry. The primary current demand is for brick making. A significant demand also exists for cooking and domestic heating fuels during the winter season. Lack of transportation is the major factor limiting more widespread use of coal. The major coal fields occur within Jurassic strata in the northern part of the country. While this coal is of relatively high rank and grade, it is far from most major population centers, and can only be delivered by truck over primitive roads that cross difficult terrain. Less mature Tertiary-age coals exist in portions of the south, but these are typically high-ash and of low heating value. Several potentially harmful trace elements exist in relatively high concentrations in some deposits, notably Hg ranging from approximately 0.17 – 2.4 ppm for some Jurassic coals, and F ranging from 772 - 1540 ppm (dry basis) for some Tertiary coals.

Energy demand in Afghanistan is growing rapidly, and new fuels for transportation, power generation and process heating are in great demand. In that sense, Afghanistan is a paradigm for third-world energy development. More than two decades of continuous warfare have, however, destroyed both the basic institutions and infrastructure necessary to support such development. While this is a near-term impediment, it also provides opportunity. Creative approaches to utilizing coal and other indigenous energy resources of Afghanistan, notably by using state-of-the-art combustion and distribution systems, can result in a model for clean and sustainable energy development. Such efforts in Afghanistan will require significant political will and risk capitalization.