[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.