Afghanistan has resumed the export of talc stone from a key mine in the country’s eastern province of Nangarhar, the Ministry of Industry and Commerce said on Sunday.
The ministry said in a statement that the process of exporting talc stone resumed recently.
In the last two months, thousands of tons of talc stone have been exported from Nangarhar province, collecting nearly 100 million afghanis (about $1.3 million), the statement read.
The export of the talc stone, which is used in many industries, including paper making, plastic, paint and coating, rubber, electric cable, pharmaceutical, cosmetics, dusting powder for babies and ceramics, stopped late last year.
According to the ministry, 37 talc stone processing factories operate in Nangarhar, providing employment for 5,000 people.
Most of the processed talc stone is exported to India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Germany, the statement read.
The talc stone mines also exist in Kandahar, Kabul, Wardak, Logar, Kunar, Khost, Kapisa, and Parwan provinces.
