The Taliban government is counting on Afghanistan’s bountiful gemstone and mineral resources after the loss of billions of dollars in international aid. By David Zucchino Photographs by Elise ...

Excerpt: Once cherished by ancient civilisations from Egypt to Mesopotamia, lapis lazuli, often dubbed "blue gold," continues ...

Hoping to revive Afghanistan’s struggling economy, the Taliban is mining emeralds, gold and gemstones to get cash flowing. Latest: The California fires have burned more than 10,000 structures.

The Pentagon dubbed Afghanistan ‘the Saudi Arabia of lithium.’ Now, it is American rivals that are angling to exploit those coveted reserves. Miners work to extract gemstones including kunzite ...