FAIZABAD: Four miners died this week in northern Afghanistan. They suffocated due to fumes while digging for gemstones, a local official said on Saturday. Ehsanullah Kamgar, spokesman for Badakhshan police, told AFP the deaths happened on Friday in Khash District of Badakhshan province. The miners were working underground when toxic fumes from a stone-crushing machine caused suffocation. Authorities did not confirm whether the mine was official or illegal. Afghanistan produces marble, minerals, gold, precious stones, and coal. The country holds mineral resources worth an estimated trillion dollars. Fatal accidents in mines are common. Miners often lack proper safety gear. In July 2025, six miners died and 18 were injured in a coal mine collapse in Baghlan province.