so when does the explotation start?

[cecilia]

U.S. Identifies Vast Riches of Minerals in Afghanistan

can't wait to see who is ethical and who isn't

 

[Glaucus]

U.S. Identifies Vast Riches of Minerals in Afghanistan

can't wait to see who is ethical and who isn't

It's quite possible that Afghanistan is too messed up to be exploited:

So the Obama administration is hungry for some positive news to come out of Afghanistan. Yet the American officials also recognize that the mineral discoveries will almost certainly have a double-edged impact.

Instead of bringing peace, the newfound mineral wealth could lead the Taliban to battle even more fiercely to regain control of the country.

The corruption that is already rampant in the Karzai government could also be amplified by the new wealth, particularly if a handful of well-connected oligarchs, some with personal ties to the president, gain control of the resources. Just last year, Afghanistan’s minister of mines was accused by American officials of accepting a $30 million bribe to award China the rights to develop its copper mine. The minister has since been replaced.

Those mineral deposits could be the trillion dollar kiss of death for the war torn nation as now both sides have a trillion reasons to keep on the fight. It may have been wiser to ramp up production slowly without fully disclosing the full value this way.

 

[FluffyMcDeath]

U.S. Identifies Vast Riches of Minerals in Afghanistan

can't wait to see who is ethical and who isn't

The report has been out for a while, I think I was contemplating posting something about it a couple of months ago but I think the survey dates back to 2007.What would be interesting would be to see where the minerals are and compare that to the places the troops have moved out of and into since 2007. You don't have to hold the country, just the relevant ground and the roads out.

But if there are minerals it's just a lucky happenstance. It wasn't the reason they went in but there is no reason not to exploit them. Probably the US lends Afghanistan money to buy mining tech from US companies and then they get endless money back by cranking the interest rates so they can never be repaid until the place is mined out. That's what they usually do.