http://econgeol.geoscienceworld.org/cgi/content/abstract/103/8/1583
The deposits in the Chagai belt are currently being exploratory mined at Reko Diq in Pakistan right now.
Why isn't Reko Diq getting any press, it has at least 3 times the potential wealth of anything found in Afghanistan?
Because we are trying to convince Britain and Japan and China and India to make massive investments in Afghanistans infrastructure, such as roads, bridges, hydoelectric, railroad, etc.
These countries and America are being offered Afghan mineral wealth as collateral for their long-term investments.
Lithium, gold, silver are all byproducts of the base mining of copper and iron ore. the copper and gold ore cannot be transported and processed without the railroads and electricity.
Japan is particularly hungry for copper and iron ore and is the main driver for development. We also see Afghan mining as a way to pay us for the massive treasure and blood we are expending there.
The media are being led by the nose by our State Department and are serving this hustle up to us as the saving grace for being in Afghanistan.