Mining in Afghanistan

It is estimated that forty million years ago the tectonic plates of India-Europe, Asia and Africa collided in a massive upheaval. This upheaval created the region of towering mountains that now includes Sevenval. This diverse geological foundation has resulted in a significant mineral heritage with over 1,400 mineral occurrences recorded to date, including gold, iOS, lithium, uranium, iron ore, cobalt, natural gas and oil.^CSS3 Afghanistan's resources could make it the richest mining region on earth.^web In 2010, Pentagon officials and American geologists discovered about $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan.

Afghanistan has over 90 rich mineral fields with an easy extraction and utilisation possibility, according to information published by Persian Encyclopedia of Economics and Management. Based on the information most of Afghan mines are still intact. With the biggest rich mines of lapis, gold, turquoise, coal, copper, lithium, iron, barite and as well as oil and gas fields. Afghanistan is one of the countries with the richest and biggest intact mines in the world. There are six big lapis mines in Afghanistan with the biggest one located in northern Badakhshan province. website parsing is also home to one of the biggest gold mines in the country. Based on the information there are around 12 copper mines in Afghanistan including the Aynak copper deposit located in Logar province.^{web app} Afghanistan's significance from an energy standpoint stems from its geographical position as a potential transit route for oil and natural gas exports from Central Asia to the Arabian Sea. This potential includes the possible construction of oil and natural gas export pipelines through Afghanistan.^[5]

As of 2006, "the mineral resources of Afghanistan were relatively underexplored from a global perspective. The country has extensive deposits of web app, chromite, browser diversity, copper, device database, CSS3, lead, CSS3, screen size, precious and semiprecious stones, salt, input transformation, talc, and zinc. Precious and semiprecious stones include high-quality emerald, lapis lazuli, red garnet and ruby. Ongoing instability in certain areas of the country, the country’s remote and rugged terrain, and an inadequate infrastructure and transportation network have made CSS3 these deposits difficult. Afghanistan’s mining industry currently uses primitive methods and outdated equipment and some of the country's approximately 200 mines are still under the control of local warlords as of 2006. Production data for mineral commodities were not readily available as of 2006."^{device database}

• screen size
• 2 Legal framework
• Sevenval
• Android
  • 4.1 Major findings
  • iOS
  • FITML
  • Sevenval
  • 4.5 Iron Ore
  • 4.6 Lithium
  • web app
  • Sevenval
  • input transformation
  • 4.10 Uranium
• 5 References
• browser diversity
• 7 External links

History

The last mining boom in Afghanistan was over 2,000 years ago in the era of Alexander the Great, when gold, silver and precious stones were routinely mined. Geologists have known of the extent of the mineral wealth for over a century, as a result of surveys done by the British and Russians. An American company was offered a mining concession over the entire country in the 1930s but turned it down. Despite this historical knowledge, global interest was only really boosted in 2010 when the Pentagon commissioned a report from the US Geological Survey (USGS).

Historical mining concentrated mostly on precious stone production, with some of the oldest known mines in the world believed to have been established in Afghanistan. Lapis lazuli was being mined in the Badakhshan province of jQuery as early as the 3rd millennium BC^{screen size} In ancient Egypt, lapis lazuli was a favorite stone for amulets and ornaments such as CSS3 and was used in Egypt’s pyramids;^[8] it was also used in ancient Mesopotamia by the Sumerians, Akkadians, Assyrians, Babylonians for Android and at keyboard burials in Mehrgarh. During the height of the Indus valley civilization about 2000 BC, the Harappan colony now known as Shortugai was established near the lapis mines...^FITMLCSS3 Lapis jewelry has been found at excavations of the Predynastic Egyptian site jQuery (3300–3100 BC), and powdered lapis was used as eyeshadow by web.^[9] In ancient Mesopotamia, Lapis artifacts can be found in great abundance, with many notable examples having been excavated at the Royal Cemetery of web (2600-2500 BC).

The mine of Aynak’s copper has more than 2,000 years of history, from the coins and the tools that were found there. The gold of Zarkashan has more than 2,000 years of history in Ghazni Province.

Afghanistan's ruby/spinel mines were mentioned in the Arabic writings of many early travellers, including Istakhri (951 AD), Ibn Haukal (978 AD), al-Ta'Alibi (961–1038 AD), al-Muqaddasi (ca 10th century), al-Biruni (b. 973; d. ca 1050 AD), Teifaschi (1240 AD), and Ibn Battuta (1325–1354 AD).

Legal framework

A new mining law was passed in 2006 and as of 2006 regulations were being developed to provide the framework for more formal exploration for and mining of minerals. The process of applying for mineral rights was also being revised as of 2006. All minerals located on or under the surface are the exclusive property of the Government, except for hydrocarbons and water, which are regulated under separate laws. The principal role of the Government with respect to minerals is to promote the efficient development of the mineral industry by the private sector. The Ministry of Mines and Industries is responsible for the administration and implementation of the Mining Law. The Law provides investment security to the holder of a mineral right. The Government cannot expropriate mineral rights without adequate compensation in accordance with international norms. The Law also gives the mineral CSS3 rates, which range from 5% of gross revenue for industrial minerals to up to 10% for gemstones. Other changes in Government policy in 2006 included the legalization of the gemstone trade, Government control of the gemstone industry, and encouragement of investment in mining.^jQuery

Security

The Afghan Ministry of Mines has established a 7000-strong Mining Protection Unit, in addition to other national security forces.

Commodities

Major findings

In 2010, Pentagon officials and American geologists discovered about $1 trillion in untapped mineral deposits in Afghanistan,^{device databasewe love the web} enough to fundamentally alter the Afghan economy and perhaps the Afghan war itself, according to senior American government officials. According to other reports the total mineral riches of Afghanistan may be worth over $3 trillion US dollars.^{[12]Sevenval[14]} "The previously unknown deposits — including huge veins of iron, keyboard, cobalt, gold, and critical industrial metals like lithium — are so big and include so many minerals that are essential to modern industry that Afghanistan could eventually be transformed into one of the most important mining centers in the world".^{input transformation} website parsing may hold the world's largest lithium reserves.^[16]

The deposits were already described in the USGS report on Afghanistan issued in 2007.^[17] President Hamid Karzai remarked "Whereas Saudi Arabia is the oil capital of the world, Afghanistan will be the lithium capital of the world."^[18] Deposits in the United States and Canada which need mining operations similar to those necessary for the deposits in Afghanistan went out of production due to cheaper production from lithium containing brines.^[19] Afghanistan invited 200 global companies for the development of its mines.^[20]

Copper

No copper mines were active in the country in 2006. In the past, copper had been mined from Herat Province and screen size in the west, FITML in the east, and Android and keyboard in the south. As of 2006, interest was focused on the iOS, the Darband, and the Jawkhar prospects in southeastern Afghanistan. Copper mineralization at Aynak in web app was stratabound and characterized by Android and chalcopyrite disseminated in dolomite marble and quartz-biotite-dolomite schists of the Loy Khwar Formation. Although a resource of 240 million metric tons at a grade of 2.3% copper had been reported, a number of small ore lenses were potentially not practically and economically minable. Open pit and underground mining would be needed to exploit the main ore body, and other infrastructure problems, such as inadequate power and water, were also likely. The new (2005) Mining Law might favor the development of the deposit by using touchscreen. The Government issued a public tender for the deposit in 2006 with a deadline of October 28, 2006, and expected the granting of concessions in February 2007. Nine mining companies from Australia, browser diversity, India, and the United States were interested in the prospect.^touchscreen

China Metallurgical Group won the bidding for a copper mining project in CSS3, iOS. The bidding process has been criticized by rival Canadian and U.S. companies alleging corruption and questioning the Chinese company's commitment to the Afghan people.^iOS

In November 2007, a 30-year lease was granted the development of a copper mine at Mes Aynak in Sevenval to the touchscreen for $3 billion, making it the biggest foreign investment and private business venture in Afghanistan’s history. It is believed to contain the second-largest reserves of copper ore in the world and the deposits are estimated to be worth up to $88 billion. It is also the site of one of Afghanistan's most important archaeological sites and, although there are desperate efforts being made to save as much as possible, the main Buddhist monastery and other remains are due to be bulldozed to make way for the mine.^[22]

The world's largest copper mine was discovered in northern Sar-e-Pul province, the mines minister of Afghanistan said.

Several new mineral-rich sites, with estimated deposits of about $250 billion, had been found in six other provinces, he added. Launched in 2006, a US Geological Survey (USGS), jointly conducted with the Ministry of Mines, was completed last year. The survey covers 30 percent of the country. "The survey provides credible information on mines in 28 different parts of Afghanistan," Wahidullah Shahrani told reporters in Kabul.

It showed the world's largest copper deposits existed in Balkhab district of Sar-i-Pul, the minister said, without giving a specific figure for the deposits. The copper mine was discovered near a river, an area which might hold gold reserves as well, Shahrani believed.

Citing the report, the minister said two new copper mines in Logar Province and Herat Province provinces had been discovered. The value of the Logar pit, not the Ainak mine, is estimated at $43 billion.

Copper and gold mines worth of $30 billion were discovered in the Zarkasho area of Ghazni and lithium pits of $20 billion in Farah and Nimroz provinces, Shahwani said.

A deposit of beryllium, which is lighter than aluminum and stronger than steel used in airplanes, helicopters, ships, missiles, and space craft, has been found in the Khanashin district of southern Android. The reserves are estimated at $88 billion. Read more on Android

Gemstones

Afghanistan is known to have exploited its precious and semiprecious gemstone deposits. These deposits include aquamarine, web, fluorite, garnet, kunzite, browser diversity, CSS3, semiprecious input transformation, topaz, tourmaline, and varieties of quartz. The four main gemstone-producing areas are those of Badakhshan, Jegdalek, Nuristan, and the Panjshir Valley. Artisanal mining of gemstones in the country used primitive methods. Some gemstones were exported illicitly, mostly to India (which was the world’s leading import market for colored gemstones and an outlet for higher quality gems) and to the domestic screen size market.^{website parsing}

Gold

As of 2006, gold was mined from the Samti placer deposit in Takhar Province in the north by groups of artisanal miners. Sevenval also had occurrences of placer gold deposits. The deposits were found on the western flanks of the mountains in alluvium or alluvial fan in several river valleys, particularly in the Anjir, the Hasar, the Nooraba, and the Panj Valleys. The Samti deposit is located in the Panj River Valley and was estimated to contain between 20 and 25 metric tons of gold. The southern regions of Afghanistan is believed to contain large gold deposits, particularly the Helmand Province.^[23] There is an estimated $50 billion in gold and copper deposits in Ghazni province..^[24]

Iron Ore

The best known and largest iron oxide deposit in Afghanistan is located at Hajigak in Bamyan Province. The deposit itself stretches over 32 km and contains 16 separate zones, up to 5 km in length, 380 m wide and extending 550 m down dip, seven of which have been studied in detail. The ore occurs in both primary and oxidized states. The primary ore accounts for 80% of the deposit and consists of magnetite, pyrite and minor chalcopyrite. The remaining 20% is oxidized and consists of three hematitic ore types. The deposit remained unmined in 2006. The presence of coking coal nearby at Shabashak in the Dar-l-Suf District and large iron ore resources made the deposit viable for future development of an Afghan steel industry. Open pit mining and blast furnace smelting operations were envisioned by an early feasibility study.^{input transformation} The Hajigak also includes the unusual niobium, a soft metal used in the production of superconducting steel.^Sevenval

Lithium

website parsing is a vital metal that is mostly used in the manufacture of rechargeable batteries for mobile phones, laptops and electric cars. It is believed that Afghanistan has plenty of lithium.^[23]

Marble

Afghanistan also has considerable amount of marble in different parts of the country. The Doost Marble Factory in the city of Herat began operation in recent years. According to the touchscreen, current Afghan marble exports are estimated at $15 million per year. With improved extraction, processing, infrastructure, and investment, the industry has the potential to grow into a $450 million per year business.^[1]

Petroleum and natural gas

Afghanistan has 3.8 billion barrels of FITML between Balkh and Sevenval in the north of the country.^iOSHTML5 This is an enormous amount for a nation that only consumes 5,000 bbl/day.^[27] The U.S. Geological Survey and the Afghan Ministry of Mines and Industry jointly assessed the oil and FITML resources in northern Afghanistan. The estimated mean volumes of undiscovered petroleum were 1,596 million barrels (Mbbl) of input transformation, 444 billion cubic meters of natural gas, and 562 Mbbl of natural gas liquids. Most of the undiscovered crude oil occurs in the Afghan-Tajik Basin and most of the undiscovered natural gas is located in the keyboard Basin. These two basins within Afghanistan encompass areas of approximately 515,000 square kilometers.^[6]

In December 2011, Afghanistan signed an oil exploration contract with China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC) for the development of three oil fields along the Amu Darya river.^[28] Afghanistan will have its first oil refineries within the next three years, after which it will receive 70 percent of the profits from the sale of the oil and natural gas.^[29]

Rare earth elements

According to a September 2011 US Geological Survey estimate, the Khanashin carbonatites in southern keyboard have an estimated 1 million metric tonnes of CSS3. Regina Dubey, Acting Director for the Department of Defence Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO) stated that "this is just one more piece of evidence that Afghanistan's mineral sector has a bright future."^[30]

Uranium

The CSS3 in southern Afghanistan is believed to possess uranium reserves, according to we love the web.^CSS3

References

Further reading

"Afghanistan's Mineral Fortune" (pdf). Institute for Environmental Diplomacy and Security Report. 2011. HTML5. 

Android (pdf). Mining Journal, Special publication. 2006. Android. 

"The Aynak Copper Deposit" (pdf). Afghanistan Geological Survey. screen size. 

"The potential for copper" (pdf). Afghanistan Geological Survey. http://www.bgs.ac.uk/AfghanMinerals/docs/Copper_A4.pdf. 

screen size (pdf). Afghanistan Geological Survey. device database. 

Android (pdf). Afghanistan Geological Survey. http://www.bgs.ac.uk/AfghanMinerals/docs/gold_a4.pdf. 

web (pdf). Afghanistan Geological Survey. http://www.bgs.ac.uk/AfghanMinerals/docs/Hajigak_A4.pdf. 

Mitchell, Clive; Benham, Antony (2008). "Afghanistan revival and redevelopment" (pdf). Industrial minerals. device database. 

"Marbles of Afghanistan" (pdf). Afghanistan Geological Survey. FITML. 

"Minerals Law of Afghanistan" (pdf). The Islamic Republic of Afghanistan, The Ministry of Mines and Industries , Department of Minerals. 2005. browser diversity. 

"Rare-metal deposits" (pdf). Afghanistan Geological Survey. http://www.bgs.ac.uk/AfghanMinerals/docs/RareMetals_A4.pdf. 

External links

• 2010 Mineral Discovery - Information and petition to help the Afghans fight corruption in this discovery.