rare earths mining explorations in Afghanistan

Enormous natural resources in Afghanistan

Geologically, the complex structure of Afghanistan
 Düsseldorf, 04.17.2012, 04.16.2012, Paris, Institute for Rare earths and metals - Afghanistan is rich in mineral resources. This is an open secret. In an interview, which the Institute of Rare Earths and Metals Association with Mr. Atiq Sediqi, the General Director of the Afghanistan Geological Survey (AGS) was introduced, now known how many, both qualitatively and quantitatively high as they are available.

Afghanistan has a complex geological structure. The northern part belongs to Eurasia, this is the continent of Europe and Asia. The South is made up of fragments of Godwana country. Gondwana included the time in a land mass contiguous continents South America, Africa, Antarctica, Australia, Madagascar and India. This meant that at any time activities were deep in the ground, which led to the formation of a very rich assemblages.

The current status of Afghanistan can be described as follows: So far have been carried out extensively, no systematic and detailed geological studies. Most studies come from the occupation by the former Soviet Union and are therefore back 30-40 years. These older studies have now been re-evaluated. According to AGS, in 2010, the Mineral exploration Resources of Afghanistan have a value of U.S. $ 286 billion, this value must be corrected well with current knowledge upward, since there is now much more efficient methods of mineral resources to locate and display it as 40 years ago. Meanwhile, the AGS has installed a data center with a capacity of 92 TB, in which all the tiles together old and new data.



The mineral resources of Afghanistan

The list of mineral resources reads like the wish of an industrial nation. Lithium, beryllium, precious stones, rare earths, copper, molybdenum, gold, niobium, lead, zinc, oil, gas and coal are found in Afghanistan already. Furthermore, the country has throughout the East for several billion tonnes of high quality iron ore. From Kabul to Kandahar, runs a very rich chrome wire. In central Afghanistan, large quantities of bauxite are found, this is an aluminum ore marble and granite are spread across the Middle East and Afghanistan. Are oil and gas deposits are in the north. The total potential of oil resources in Afghanistan to 1.6 billion barrels and gas resources estimated 15 690 billion, cf.

Current Projects

The copper, which is southeast of Kabul, is already tracked by Chinese firms in detail. The investment in the Chinese is U.S. $ 5 billion, a production after mining explorations, the start is planned for 2014.
In the province of Bamiyan is a world class iron deposits. There are over 20,000 jobs are created, the gross value of this deposit is estimated at U.S. $ 288 billion. Tenders are already underway.
It was also an iron mine in Hajigak, a gold mine on the banks of the Amu Darya, the oil and gas production in the north and some deposits of copper and molybdenum configured.

To explore the mineral resources in Afghanistan, huge amounts of energy are needed. To ensure a continuous supply of energy, coal-fired power plants in central Afghanistan, and gas power stations be built in northern Afghanistan. The infrastructure is growing rapidly across the country. It will be built highways, access roads, railway lines, electricity supply, water supply, hospitals, schools, shopping centers etc..

The Kabul government promotes the development process by releasing are guarantees that foreign investments will not be nationalized. Licenses for large mines are awarded for a 30 year period, with the option to renew the licenses every 5 years. Smaller mines received a 10 year license with the same opportunities for renewal and mining explorations. The income tax was generally 20% very well estimated investment-friendly.

It remains now only to be seen how the situation develops with the Taliban. Lately there have been attacks of this group. In view of the general withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, which will take place over the next few years, the country remains a popular investment, but very hot iron.

A detailed 61-page document is available on the website of the Institute for rare earths and metals.