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I suspect it will take decades before these are truly developed do to a lack of security and then likely corruption will syphon off most of the money just like in Africa. Still, properly structured agreements would result in companies building infrastructure if for no other reason then because they'll need that infrastructure to transport the ore out of the country to world markets. As I said that won't happen until real peace comes and Afghans have never been peaceful people so maybe not for another 100 years.
That said the $1 trillion figure isn't that big and even with maximum effort the total benefit might only be $10-$15 billion in minerals mined per year (and that's a good rate) but since Afghanistan is such a hell hole its economy is only about $12 billion even if you count the black market drug trade so it would be a huge improvement but not enough to create Saudi like riches.
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.
Yes, jobs can distract people from war. As opposed to being unemployed and roaming around with an AK-47 you could have a permanent job at the mines. There has been no jobs in Iraq.
Because it's the truth. America had no reason to invade iraq. They have no ties to terrorism, no WMD's that rumsfeld and bush were pushing in their propaganda machine, not to mention the first order for the troops was "secure the oil fields"
They gave a no bid contract to halliburton (chaney's company) and shortly after, all the oil companies, especially exxon/mobil were posting record high profit margins quarter after quarter.
Oh please..
1) We had lots of reasons to invade Iraq.. They are called terrosts camps
2) They had WMD's, over 500 of them found
3) Of course you'd "secure the oil fields", why would you let them become an environmental hazard by some nutjob setting them on fire AGAIN?
4) Obama also gave no bid contracts to Halliburton... Whats your point?
5) Record high profit margins due to record demand.. Do you know what supply/demand is?
Another complication is that because Afghanistan has never had much heavy industry before, it has little or no history of environmental protection either. “The big question is, can this be developed in a responsible way, in a way that is environmentally and socially responsible?” Mr. Brinkley said. “No one knows how this will work.”
Just another reason to ravage the resources while only a select few will reap the profits. Wars for oil, wars for minerals...all the same crap. Can anyone say "Blood Diamonds?"
If the reserves are proven, they will have no trouble getting loans to hire US, or other international companies to do the actual extraction of the minerals. And I can guarantee you that many companies will be lined up for this kind of contract.
"War for minerals" sounds lame because we didn't even know there were minerals there when we went to Afghanistan.
Jobs will help but lets be realistic. Even if we double the $12 billion economy for Afghanistan's 28.5 million people the per capita income would only go from $500 per year to $1000 per year. That's a big jump but hardly Saudi riches or even developing country status. It's just the difference between abject starvation and able to feed ones self and family.
There is no silver bullet and we can't hope minerals will do more then double the economy even in a best case scenario.
Oh please..
1) We had lots of reasons to invade Iraq.. They are called terrosts camps
2) They had WMD's, over 500 of them found
Please put the crack pipe down. There were no terrorist camps nor any WMDs. Fox Noise has rotted your brain. I say that as someone who spent a year in Iraq and literally traveled the country from one end to the other serving in the US Army.
"War for minerals" sounds lame because we didn't even know there were minerals there when we went to Afghanistan.
Agreed. Besides it is highly dubious any of them will be recoverable with in the next 30-50 years and the US most certainly won't be there at that time.
Jobs will help but lets be realistic. Even if we double the $12 billion economy for Afghanistan's 28.5 million people the per capita income would only go from $500 per year to $1000 per year. That's a big jump but hardly Saudi riches or even developing country status. It's just the difference between abject starvation and able to feed ones self and family.
Who says it will only double? They will have money to build schools, hospitals, roads, communication networks, etc, so the potential is there for much more than double.
Please put the crack pipe down. There were no terrorist camps nor any WMDs. Fox Noise has rotted your brain. I say that as someone who spent a year in Iraq and literally traveled the country from one end to the other serving in the US Army.
Wow, spent a year in Iraq and somehow you missed the same terrorists camps which the 911 Commission report said were there, and the WMD's disclosed by the Director of National Intelligence..
Agreed. Besides it is highly dubious any of them will be recoverable with in the next 30-50 years and the US most certainly won't be there at that time.
Why should it take 30-50 years? Where did you get that? The article said 'years', not 50 years, and it added that even before the minerals are out of the ground, the activity will begin and foreign investment will flood into the country.
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