Huge mineral deposits in Afghanistan

The announcement of huge mineral deposits in Afghanistan was a coup for both the US and the Afghan governments. But there are doubts about how realistic the estimates are, to what extent they can be developed commercially and, above all, whether mining companies will accept the security risks.

Was the "sensational find" of large natural mineral resources in Afghanistan reported by the New York Times last week a PR trick by the United States government? Or was it a clever chess move by Afghan Mining Minister Waheedullah Shahrani?

Both had good reason to announce the surprising news. US President Barack Obama is lobbying Congress for a further $33 billion for the military mission in Afghanistan, so the reference to Afghanistan's "stunning potential," as General David Petraeus, the head of US Central Command, put it, comes at a highly convenient time.

Shahrani had some time ago scheduled a meeting with around 200 foreign investors in London for this coming Friday to receive bids for the development of Afghan deposits. But most of the finds reported by the Americans have been known for decades.

The main news is that the deposits are significantly greater than had been thought to date. Shahrani last Thursday exceeded the Americans' claims, saying he thought their estimates were too conservative and trippling the value of the mineral deposits to $3 trillion.

Even if those close to President Hamid Karzai say the timing was pure coincidence, they are already beginning to assess the advantages the natural resources could bring to the region.

"The deposits could be the future negotiating asset with our neighbors," said one official, who declined to be named. "With these resources we can play diplomatic ping pong -- we must now divide up the huge opportunities between the Afghans and the neighbors."

Difficult Access

Still, Afghanistan won't grow into a world-leading raw materials exporter as quickly as Petraeus is claiming. For example, the Hajigak iron ore deposit in central Afghanistan -- supposedly the largest untapped reserve in Asia -- being discussed in London this week is located close to a pass with an altitude of 3,700 meters (12,139 feet), and so far no one knows how the ore could be transported from there.

China has promised to build a railway over the Hindu Kush mountain range, but has not yet laid out any firm plans to do so. And the development of the copper mine in Aynak, for which Chinese state company MCC acquired the rights in 2007, is progressing only slowly.

The issue of security is even more difficult. David Beatty, head of Canadian mining company Rio Novo Gold, said: "Would I send a team to Kandahar? And then call a guy's wife after he gets shot? No."

I wonder about this as well. with American and the Collation there there must be some reson for the justification for the expenses. Minerals are in demand every where but is this calim real?
I'd take a job there but I know what I'm getting into: a War and I'm crazy enough to risk my life for more than our government is paying our Military and the only people who would take this job have to be crazy.