Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Governor Faisal Karim Kundi has announced the cancellation of all lease agreements regarding gold mining in the province.

He made this announcement while addressing a news conference alongside Advisor on Minerals Dr Sarfaraz Ali in Peshawar today.

The Governor said illegal mining carried out in the province in the past had caused damage to the national exchequer, besides badly affecting the environment.

The Governor assured that the mineral resources of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa will be utilized through legal procedures. 

He revealed that about eighty percent of the proceeds from illegal mining were going to Afghanistan.

He added that a Khwarji commander used to extort eight hundred thousand rupees from locals and up to four million rupees from non-local miners.