The Riches of Afghanistan
Last edited Wed Aug 25, 2021, 03:09 PM - Edit history (1)
This article, opinion piece was a bear to edit down I hope you, the reader, can make some sense of it.
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https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/afghanistans-mineral-resources-are-a-lost-opportunity-and-a-threat/
THE DEBATE | OPINION
Without a coherent strategy, Afghanistan’s vast mineral resources represent both a lost opportunity and a threat to national security.
By Ahmad Shah Katawazai
February 01, 2020
Afghanistan’s Mineral Resources Are a Lost Opportunity and a Threat
“We are at risk of the curse of plenty, [the] curse of resources.”
— President Ashraf Ghani
Torn by four decades of war and desperate poverty, Afghanistan is believed to be sitting on one of the richest troves of minerals in the world. The value of these resources has been roughly estimated between $1-3 trillion.
Afghanistan has vast reserves of gold, platinum, silver, copper, iron, chromite, lithium, uranium, and aluminium. The country’s high-quality emeralds, rubies, sapphires, turquoise, and lapis lazuli have long charmed the gemstone market. The United States Geological Survey (USGS), through its extensive scientific research of minerals, concluded that Afghanistan may hold 60 million metric tons of copper, 2.2 billion tons of iron ore, 1.4 million tons of rare earth elements (REEs) such as lanthanum, cerium, neodymium, and veins of aluminium, gold, silver, zinc, mercury, and lithium. According to Pentagon officials, their initial analysis at one location in Ghazni province showed the potential for lithium deposits as large as those of Bolivia, which has the world’s largest known lithium reserves. The USGS estimates the Khanneshin deposits in Helmand province will yield 1.1.-1.4 million metric tons of REEs. Some reports estimate Afghanistan REE resources are among the largest on earth.
REEs have become essential part of modern technology. They are used in cell phones, televisions, hybrid engines, computers, lasers, and batteries. U.S. Congressional findings have called REEs critical to national security. According to a Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction (SIGAR) report, Washington has not had a unified strategy for the development of Afghanistan’s extractive industries. Realizing the importance, critical capability and the Pentagon’s increasing dependence on Chinese REEs, U.S. President Donald Trump in July 2019 amended section 303 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, thus authorizing the domestic production capability for separation and processing of light REE’s, which are essential to national defense. Moreover, the Trump administration has commenced the Energy Resource Governance Initiative (ERGI), intended to promote mining of minerals that are in high demand. So far, the ERGI initiative includes Canada, Australia, Botswana, Peru, Argentina, Brazil, Democratic Republic of Congo, Namibia, the Philippines, and Zambia. Afghanistan could be part of the ERGI as well, from which the country could benefit economically and ensure a long-term strategic partnership with the United States. REEs are key to the production of tank navigation systems, missile guidance systems, missile defense components, satellites, and military communications systems.
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Afghanistan’s rich mineral resources, if exploited effectively, could prove to be the best substitutes for foreign aid and decrease the country’s dependence on donor countries and foreign support. These resources, if properly managed, provide an opportunity for Afghanistan to write its own story of economic success. Robust policies, strong institutional arrangements together with clear policy direction will pave the way for attracting both domestic and foreign investors. Better management of mineral resources could end in sustainable economic growth paving the way for a lasting peace.
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Illegal mining is rampant throughout Afghanistan, with more than 2,000 such sites raising money for warlords and the insurgency.
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For example, a big chunk of the country’s mineral wealth is currently going toward warlords, armed militias and Taliban insurgents. According to a recent Global Witness report, “the revenue going to these strongmen (warlord and mafia) and the Taliban from just one small area of Badakhshan (province) rivals the government’s declared income from the entire Afghan natural resource sector.” Mineral resources are thought to be the Taliban’s second largest source of revenue.
Fortunately, Afghanistan’s current president Ashraf Ghani, a former World Bank economist, is well aware of the value of mineral resources and the danger they pose to the country. He has spoken of the dangers of the resource curse with refreshing clarity. Shortly after assuming office, Ghani said that he will transform the Afghan economy through minerals. But little has been done regarding mineral sector so far, and mining remains untouched to greater extent.
The Afghan government ...snip...will not be able to regain control of the thousands of illegally exploited mines in Afghanistan any time soon.
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More at the link.
https://thediplomat.com/2020/02/afghanistans-mineral-resources-are-a-lost-opportunity-and-a-threat/
Ahmad Shah Katawazai (the author)
is the member of the Academy of Sciences of Afghanistan and former Diplomat at the Afghan Embassy Washington D.C. Katawazai has a master degree in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University and a master in International Legal Studies from American University. Katawazai is a published writer. You can follow him on Twitter @askatawazai.
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Of course, we now see what's become of the "best laid plans of mice and men" as the wealth slips between the fingers.
Stay safe everyone.
❤pants
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