Digging to survive: former Afghan soldiers and police officers hunt emeralds in Panjshir Valley

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Local people in Afghanistan’s remote Panjshir Valley have known for centuries about the presence of emeralds in the mountainous region, where organised mining has taken place since the 1970s. The mines are typically owned by partners and operated by teams, with many of the more tedious and low-paid jobs now being done by former government workers. Afghans have struggled to survive as the nation teeters on the brink of economic collapse and unemployment soars after the Taliban regained power in August 2021. But those who have turned to mining to survive face extreme cold and other harsh winter conditions as they search for the precious stones.

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