Mining Marble in Herat, Afghanistan (USAID)

"Home to an estimated 400,000 people, the city of Herat lies on the ancient trade routes of the Middle East and Central and South Asia—just 50 miles from the Iranian border. The province bearing the same name is the largest and most significant urban area in western Afghanistan. Mining has occurred throughout Afghanistan for thousands of years. More than 60 known deposits of valuable stone are found nationwide, representing 35 varieties in more than 40 colors, including fine-grained white marbles.

The Herat region boasts many of the country’s largest and best-quality marble quarries. In a country struggling with widespread unemployment and poverty, the marble sector has the potential to generate thousands of jobs and millions of dollars of revenue for the region.Yet, despite these significant mineral deposits, the mining sector has been unable to meet even domestic demand, let alone the significantly larger demand from international markets."

Read the rest of the story here in "Hard Rock in Afghanistan", USAID Frontlines, March/April 2012.