Re: U.S. Identifies Vast Riches of Minerals in Afghanistan

There's precious gems "they" know Afghanistan is rich with too. I have a beautiful chunk of Lapis Lazuli that my daughter brought home for me from AF.

http://www.embassyofafghanistan.org/06.27.2007investnewsmining.html


The government of Afghanistan and in particular, the Ministry of Mines & Industries is now closely working with international partners including the World Bank, the United States, and the British Geological Surveys to promote investment in various mining-oriented industries

Gemstones of Afghanistan

Afghanistan has rich deposits of precious (emeralds, ruby, and sapphires) and semi-precious (lapis lazuli, tourmaline, aquamarine, kunzite, topaz, garnets, fluorite, and varieties of quartz) gemstones. The precious gemstones are mined in Afghanistan while the semi-precious gemstones are worked. People living in villages surrounding the mines typically extract gemstone manually, using hand drills, dynamites and explosives, which creates a large amount of waste. Moreover, the current pattern of trade—gemstones mined in Afghanistan leaving the country illicitly and sorted for quality in Pakistan—causes a major decline in value gained by Afghanistan. A World Bank report (Mining as a source of growth, March 2004) shows a value of US$2.75 million, while according to a UNDP (2005) report, the potential annual value can be up to US$160 million annually.

Tweet