U.S. Discovers $1T USD Worth of Lithium, Other Mineral Deposits in Afghanistan

Daily Tech ^ | June 14, 2010 10:49 AM | Jason Mick (Blog)

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Military deployment and close political ties may give U.S. ideal opportunity to harvest valuable resource

Lithium deposits worldwide may be sufficient to eventually sustain the demands of an electric-vehicle driven world and modern electronics, but in the near-term, demand-driven shortages loom.  Fortunately, the U.S. has made a pivotal discovery that may help to keep costs in the U.S. down.

According to a report in The New York Times, senior American government officials are quoted as saying that a massive mineral deposit has been discovered in Afghanistan which holds $1T USD in lithium, iron, copper, cobalt, and gold deposits. 

The lithium deposits are expected to exceed those of Bolivia, the world's largest current producer of lithium.  Bolivia contains over 9 million tons of extractable lithium, according to recent estimates.  Lithium prices currently are at around $6,700 USD per ton and have doubled over the last few years.  That places the net value of the lithium deposits alone at around $60B-$100B USD.  An internal Pentagon memo states that Afghanistan may become the "Saudi Arabia of lithium."

The iron deposits are estimated to be worth $420.9B USD and the copper deposits are estimated to be worth $274B USD.  A full breakdown (with the notable absence of lithium) is available here.

[Para-Ord.45]

No doubt they`ll get the rights to like the way they locked up all the rights to rare earth everywhere.

[Marine_Uncle]

"Now we have a reason to be over there....."
Perhaps. But how many years down the pike would it take to establish profitable mining operations. That is of course assuming millions of Afghans that don't want foreigners on the ir soil go along with deals that will be offered.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

See #15.

[Marine_Uncle]

I am aware of the Chinese eye on Afghanistan. We had read articles back in 2007 range as to the potentials in A, and how various countries would like to get at their mineral resources.
I'm not against US firms going in and extracting minerals if it could be a win scenario. Just wonder how many years it would take. We yet to see a dime flowing into US coffers from Iraq. The Chinese are also in Iraq trying to make deals to get at their oil.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

BBC chimes in:

Afghans say US team found huge potential mineral wealth

********************************EXCERPT*****************************************

The BBC's Jill McGivering says that at a time of growing despair about Afghanistan and its government, the portrayal of the country as a potential goldmine could help to bolster international resolve and paint the country as a prize worth fighting for.

Lithium is an increasingly vital resource, used in batteries for everything from mobile phones to laptops and key to the future of the electric car. Bolivia boasts the largest reserves.

Afghanistan's also has significant reserves of niobium, a key ingredient in hardened steel. 'Trillion-dollar resources'

Ministry of mines spokesman Jawad Omar said he could not confirm the exact value of Afghanistan's mineral wealth but had no doubt it would have a very big impact on the country's development.

If exploited, Afghanistan would become self-sufficient, he said, and no longer need foreign aid.

President Hamid Karzai's spokesman, Waheed Omar, was quoted by news agency AP as saying: "The result of the survey ... has shown that Afghanistan has mineral resources worth $1 trillion.

[Marine_Uncle]

The BBC article basically outlines my concerns. Afghanistan is so remote and underdeveloped in every way. And their central government is so weak at best. The country never took to any form of centralized government in the form we view such.
A lot of wheeling and dealing is going to have to take place with no assurances from any source the country can achieve the stated goal.
I am still waiting to hear about all that oil Vietnam had to offer the world coming to the suface.
I just hate to think of the Chinese moveing in on Afghansitan and Iraq and taking all the spoils, and the US not getting a dime for our great loss in national treasure.

[Ernest_at_the_Beach]

Kudlow is calling for us to keep China out of there....

[SandRat]

and Russia

[Marine_Uncle]

"and Russia"
I was going to include them in my last statement. Yes. They had big plans before and during their invasion of Afghanistan to set up shop by what I have read along the way.

[Vide]

Now we have a reason to be over there.....

This is a blatant plant: probably for British consumption. Right now, BP will be pressuring Cameron to play the withdrawal card. This story will likely get RTZ, Xstrata and the Glencore gang on-side: lobbying in the opposite direction.

Pretty lame.