Afghan villagers turn to gold-panning to sustain livelihoods

Al Jazeera
April 16, 2026
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2 min read

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Afghan villagers are gold-panning in the Hindu Kush mountains to survive due to scarce economic opportunities.

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Afghan men in the Hindu Kush mountains are turning to gold-panning as a means to sustain their livelihoods. This activity provides a crucial economic opportunity for villagers amidst widespread scarcity. The practice highlights the challenging conditions faced by many in Afghanistan, where traditional economic avenues are limited. These individuals are forging new ways to support themselves and their families by extracting gold dust from the rugged terrain.

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