Kunar Province, Afghanistan In the rugged mountains of the Hindu Kush, hundreds of Afghan men are turning to traditional gold-panning as a means of survival, carving out livelihoods in a country with limited economic opportunities.

Along the rocky riverbeds of the Kunar River, near the border with Pakistan, workers sift through stones in search of tiny flecks of gold. Against a backdrop of towering peaks, some still snow-covered even in April, these informal miners rely on patience and persistence to earn a modest income.

A Self-Created Source of Income

In villages like Kharwalu, where mud-brick homes and terraced wheat fields define the landscape, locals dig into dry sections of the riverbed before washing the extracted material with water.

Delawar, a 45-year-old father of eight who previously worked in construction near Kabul, now depends on gold-panning to support his family.

“There are not many job opportunities in the country, and in this way, we have created work for ourselves,” he said. “The gold nuggets we find are usually smaller than a grain of wheat.”

Labor-Intensive Work with Modest Returns

In nearby Ghaziabad district, men climb steep mountainsides, breaking rocks with hand tools and carrying heavy sacks down to riverbanks. There, they use sieves and flowing water to separate potential gold particles.

The process involves multiple rounds of filtering. Workers often use makeshift tools, such as jerrycans attached to wooden handles, to pour water over stones, allowing lighter material to wash away while heavier particles settle.

According to 35-year-old Gul Ahmad Jan, a week’s effort can yield up to one gram of gold, worth around 8,000 Afghanis, approximately $125. While not a large sum, it provides a critical income stream in areas with few alternatives.

Growing Activity Amid Limited Regulation

Local officials say gold-panning in Kunar Province has been practiced for over a decade, with techniques passed on by miners from other regions.

Najibullah Hanif, the province’s information chief, noted that thousands are now engaged in the activity using traditional, low-impact methods approved by authorities.

However, attempts by some to introduce heavy machinery have raised environmental concerns. “Some started to dig with machines. Locals asked authorities to stop them because it damages the river and mountains,” Hanif said.

Untapped Resources and Rising Interest

Afghanistan’s vast mineral wealth remains largely underdeveloped after decades of conflict. In recent years, authorities have increasingly encouraged both domestic and foreign investment in mining.

For now, in the remote valleys of Kunar, gold-panning remains a grassroots survival strategy, one that reflects both the country’s economic challenges and the resilience of its people.