Bloomberg quoted the US Geological Survey said Afghanistan world class mineral resources including rare earth elements, gold, iron and copper has the potential to transform the country economy.
Mr Eklil Hakimi Afghanistan ambassador to the US said the new survey data may help stimulate foreign investment and improve the country security.
He said that “Afghanistan has modern hydrocarbon laws and mining laws, favorable to investors. I believe that the key to peace in Afghanistan lies in our mineral resources because lasting security and stability is dependent on the amount of economic opportunity available to Afghans.”
The report said the USGS used new and existing data to create detailed digital information packages of each mining area. The information will be distributed by the Afghan ministry of mines to companies interested in bidding for the mineral rights. The information may make bidding and operating in these areas easier and reduce investment risk.
Ms Regina Dubey acting director of a US Defense Department task force that funded the study said “The mineral resources in Afghanistan have the potential to completely transform the nation’s economy.”
Development of those resources may help the Obama administration and allies build Afghanistan economy an initiative the US says is essential to stabilizing the country and the region before US forces withdraw in 2014. Development of the resources is difficult and dangerous while the Taliban and its allies are seeking to gain control of territory.
( Source: www.steelguru.com )