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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.
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.
While it could take many years to develop a mining industry, the potential is so great that officials and executives in the industry believe it could attract heavy investment even before mines are profitable, providing the possibility of jobs that could distract from generations of war.
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.
While it could take many years to develop a mining industry, the potential is so great that officials and executives in the industry believe it could attract heavy investment even before mines are profitable, providing the possibility of jobs that could distract from generations of war.[/quote]
Not being a geology expert, I can't speak to these claims, but as a former history teacher I can offer my take on our alliance with Saudi Arabia; while it has given us cheap oil and allowed us to raise our standard of living above most other countries, we have also paid a terrible price for that alliance, most of which has become apparent only in the last decade.
Jobs that can distract generations from war? We invaded Iraq and Afghanistan, distributed billions, and it hasn't exactly distracted from generations of war.
This is because the money never trickles down to the poor; if lithium really is discovered, rest assured, it won't lead to peace and prosperity any more than the oil of the Middle East has led to stability and happiness.
It would be interesting...maybe that could get our soldiers home and America out of war!
That would be ideal, but I think our leaders would attempt to achieve even more base/force agreements that would allow this wealth of lithium to flow to America. It is a double-edged razor--we want the resource but must engage in actions that are distinctly opposed to our American ideals to achieve it.
If the reports of lithium deposits are true, we will never leave Afghanistan.
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.
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.
While it could take many years to develop a mining industry, the potential is so great that officials and executives in the industry believe it could attract heavy investment even before mines are profitable, providing the possibility of jobs that could distract from generations of war.
This is not April Fools Day!!
But seriously, this is good news for them if its true.
Between the minerals and their poppy's they should be sitting pretty good. I'm assuming we still will hang in there to make sure everything go's as it should. For a price, ofcource. I can't imagine our government passing up an opportunity to profit off something that isn't theirs.
Ha, I wish that was true. Our government must be jumping up and down with glee. First a fortune in drug money from the poppy in Afghanistan, now vast amounts of minerals have been discovered. I guess our boys will be staying in Afghanistan for another couple of decades working for the thieves who will steal all of it.
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