A watchdog group has recommended the blue semi-precious stone lapis lazuli be classified as a conflict mineral because of its role in fueling armed groups in Afghanistan. Global Witness says the Taliban and other armed groups earn up to $20 million a year from illegal lapis mining. Researcher Stephen Carter said the mines have destabilized Badakhshan province in northern Afghanistan.

Stephen Carter: “The situation at the moment is you have a real illustration that there is competition among armed groups for this resource. And what that does is it creates the ideal conditions for an insurgency to flourish. Everyone’s got an interest in there being a little bit of conflict. Everyone’s got an interest in the government being essentially a hollow shell.”