Nimroz is one of the large provinces located in southwestern part of Afghanistan bordering Iran in the west and Pakistan in the south. It is said that the province was named “Nimroz” in the middle ages.
Based on the information by the mines department of Nimroz, the province has various types of mines, but due to absence of census since 1973, exact amount of mines and minerals are not known in the province.
Mines Director Eng. Shamalzai told Pajhwok Afghan News the province is rich in salt, precious gems, stones and even lithium.
He said he couldn’t present exact figures but there is plenty of salt in Charbarak district. The precious and semi-precious stones, he said needed proper geological survey and study. Marble and other stones are abundant also, he informed.
Based on a report from the American geological department, southwestern provinces of Afghanistan including Nimroz, Herat and Farah are among provinces with abundant of lithium.
Shamalzai said they had repeatedly requested the ministry of mines to send experts for a proper survey of the mines but haven’t heard anything back. He said he thought even oil reserves and natural gas was also present in Nimroz.
He underlined a proper geological survey should be carried out in the province. The mountains and deserts of the province are rich in minerals and natural resources, he added.