'IS becomes rich in talcum powder'

kabul - Islamic State (IS) in Afghanistan appears to earn a nice amount from the export of illegally extracted talcum powder. The fighters send loads of indirectly to the US and Europe and earn tons of money, the organization concludes Global Witness.

Figures from the Afghan Ministry for Mining show that approximately 500,000 tonnes of talcum powder was exported from Afghanistan in the twelve months to March. Most went to neighboring Pakistan after which it ended up in the west from there. 'Unknowing American and European consumers help finance extremist groupings in Afghanistan,' said Global Witness.

The fighters of IS are not the only extremists who have discovered illegal mining as a dairy cow. An important source for the Taliban in Afghanistan has been the illegal extraction of precious stones such as lapis lazuli, once a very expensive dye for painters.

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