Afghans Flock to Kunar River Near Pakistan Border in Search of Gold; Suddenly Begin Excavating Riverbed and Mountainsides

New Delhi: A unique spectacle is currently unfolding amidst the Hindu Kush mountains in the eastern part of Afghanistan. Along the banks of the Kunar River, near the Pakistan border, hundreds of people have gathered in a quest for gold. These individuals are attempting to unearth gold particles by digging into the dry sections of the riverbed and the surrounding mountains, all in an effort to earn a livelihood. Despite the arduous conditions and rocky terrain, crowds of people remain engaged in sifting through the soil from dawn till dusk.

In reality, driven by a severe employment crisis and meager wages in Afghanistan, people are increasingly turning to this line of work. Ever since news spread that gold lies hidden within the sands of the Kunar River, people have been abandoning everything else to make their way to the site. Remarkably, many have traveled all the way from cities like Kabul—undertaking journeys of up to seven hours—after quitting their previous jobs. Those present at the site state unequivocally that there is a severe dearth of employment opportunities in the country; consequently, they have chosen to pursue this arduous path. Although the gold fragments found here are often smaller than a grain of wheat, thousands of people remain undeterred in their resolve to try their luck.

Along the riverbanks, people toil away all day long in back-breaking excavation work. First, the sandy ground is dug up, and then the excavated stones and soil are washed using the river water. As straightforward as this task may appear on the surface, in reality, it is utterly exhausting. Amidst the rugged mountains, these individuals pour out their sweat in the sole hope that, perhaps, within a mound of earth, their fortune might finally shine through. It is worth noting that this relentless activity has been continuing uninterrupted for several days now.

Carving into Mountainsides to Haul Away Soil on Their Backs
According to Pakistani media reports, the method employed for this gold hunt is both quite traditional and rudimentary. In areas such as Ghazibad, people are using pickaxes to carve into the towering mountainsides. Subsequently, people fill sacks with the soil, hoist them onto their backs, carry them down to the riverbank, and place them on a sieve to wash them with the river water. The lighter soil is washed away by the current, while the heavier gold particles remain behind on a mat or in an iron pan placed underneath.

It is noteworthy that if one works tirelessly—putting in every ounce of effort—for a full week, one might yield approximately one gram of gold. In the market, this fetches a price of up to 8,000 Afghanis. Given Afghanistan’s current economic climate, earning such an amount in a single week is a significant achievement. This is precisely why there is a massive influx of people flocking to this particular region of Kunar.

Today, along the banks of this river in Kunar, every individual shares a single dream reflected in their eyes. These treasures, hidden beneath the soil of Afghanistan, have now begun to attract the attention of foreign companies as well. According to media reports, the administration currently in power is planning to promote large-scale mining operations in the region. For the time being, however, on these sandy banks of Kunar, everyone remains engrossed in the search for that one golden glint—relying solely on their hard work and luck—that could transform their lives.