U.S. Identifies Vast Riches Of Minerals In Afghanistan

Richard · 06-13-2010, 20:28

And so it goes...

Richard's $.02

U.S. Identifies Vast Riches Of Minerals In Afghanistan
NYT, 13 June 2010

The United States has discovered nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, far beyond any previously known reserves and enough to fundamentally alter the Afghan economy and perhaps the Afghan war itself, according to senior American government officials.

The previously unknown deposits — including huge veins of iron, copper, cobalt, gold and critical industrial metals like lithium — are so big and include so many minerals that are essential to modern industry that Afghanistan could eventually be transformed into one of the most important mining centers in the world, the United States officials believe.

An internal Pentagon memo, for example, states that Afghanistan could become the “Saudi Arabia of lithium,” a key raw material in the manufacture of batteries for laptops and Blackberries.

(cont'd) http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/wo...ef=global-home

abc_123 · 06-13-2010, 20:35

And we should make sure that we get back every cent that this war has cost us...plus interest.

It's the least that the good Islamic Repuplic of Afghanistan can do for us.

But then again, I kinda thought that an Iraqi oil field or two would have made great territories for the U.S.

head · 06-13-2010, 20:42

Strangely, these deposits of lithium are shaped remarkably like used 5590s.

Let's hope they (we) can capitalize on this...

ktek01 · 06-13-2010, 21:23

Quote:

Originally Posted by abc_123

But then again, I kinda thought that an Iraqi oil field or two would have made great territories for the U.S.

Apparently the Chinese have other ideas.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37577656...il_and_energy/

Quote:

From among the most outspoken of critics of the 2003 U.S.-led invasion to topple Saddam Hussein, China has emerged as one of the biggest economic beneficiaries of the war, snagging five lucrative deals. While Western firms were largely subdued in their interest in Iraq's recent oil auctions, China snapped up three contracts, shrugging off the security risks and the country's political instability for the promise of oil

.

Maytime · 06-14-2010, 00:11

Call me ignorant, but even if we did not directly prosper (monetarily) from the new found wealth, I think we could effectively claim Afghanistan as a political victory if they could build themselves up and capitalize on the deposits, with our supervision of course. To me that would somewhat validate our efforts. I would also ask them to compensate all the families of every US and NATO service member who gave their life so they can have theirs.

ttg290580 · 06-14-2010, 00:47

WASHINGTON — The United States has discovered nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan, far beyond any previously known reserves and enough to fundamentally alter the Afghan economy and perhaps the Afghan war itself, according to senior American government officials link http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/wo...o_interstitial
Can anyone say funding for terrorism

REMINDER: the SEARCH function can easily save multi-posting errors. Richard

LongWire · 06-14-2010, 02:23

http://professionalsoldiers.com/foru...124#post335124

JJ_BPK · 06-14-2010, 02:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttg290580

WASHINGTON — The United States has discovered nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan,,,,,,

So W was correct, there are WMD's in the AO???

WMD, aka: Wonderfully Mineral Deposits...

**The Reaper** · 06-14-2010, 04:52

Quote:

Originally Posted by ktek01

Apparently the Chinese have other ideas.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/37577656...il_and_energy/

.

Exactly.

And they are going to get a deal to control these as well.

Watch.

TR

ktek01 · 06-14-2010, 04:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Reaper

Exactly.

And they are going to get a deal to control these as well.

Watch.

TR

They are already working on it.

Quote:

At the same time, American officials fear resource-hungry China will try to dominate the development of Afghanistan’s mineral wealth, which could upset the United States, given its heavy investment in the region. After winning the bid for its Aynak copper mine in Logar Province, China clearly wants more, American officials said.

Dozer523 · 06-14-2010, 07:07

Mineral wealth should not come as any surprise, anytime and anyplace that has tectonic sub-duction and upthrusting happens.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maytime

. . . even if we did not directly prosper (monetarily) from the new found wealth, I think we could effectively claim Afghanistan as a political victory

We already can claim a political victory. Afghanistan is so much better now then it when the Taliban was ruling and that was better then when the Soviets were occupying. We have had a moral victory since day one. Now we just have to finish by securing that victory militarily.
Kind of hard to wrap my head around "rich Afghans" though.
Getting it out of the ground and getting it to market are two different things. Sort of like mining on the moon.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maytime

I would also ask them to compensate all the families of every US and NATO service member who gave their life so they can have theirs.

It's a thought but it won't and should not happen. "War reparations" don't work.

mark46th · 06-14-2010, 08:57

If the U.S. is looking for a reason to stay involved in A-stan, here is a reason. This just maybe what the AO needs. With this much mineral wealth, the eventual availability of jobs offering a chance to actually earn a decent living may change the culture enough to provide the changes that Afghanistan needs to modernize a society stuck in the 18th century.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100614/...eral_treasures

REMINDER: the SEARCH function can easily save multi-posting errors. Richard

Dan.C · 06-14-2010, 09:19

This could potentially make the future in that area very "interesting" to say the least. I wonder how it will affect the already deteriorating American image. Especailly considering the article directly relates its value to oil which America is very thirsty for already.

rubberneck · 06-14-2010, 09:45

Considering Iran fancies themselves as a regional power I wonder what will happen when we do leave. Will they work to try to overthrow the Karzi government and replace it with a puppet government favorable to Iran. I wonder what long term implications it has for that country now that the world knows that it is actually worth something.

mark46th · 06-14-2010, 09:55

Yes, indeed. We have seen the extent the U.S. will go to protect strategic oil supplies. Once investment in these resources commences, I think we will see a change in attitude about just how important the area has become.

If the U.S. will go to war for a banana company, think of the lengths the government will go to for a trillion dollars in strategic minerals.