Afghanistan’s untapped mineral resources
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Afghanistan is sitting on deposits estimated to be worth $1 trillion or more, including what may be the world’s largest lithium reserves – a crucial but scarce component in rechargeable batteries
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200km 125 miles  

UZBEKISTAN
Mazar-i-Sharif
TURKMENISTAN
Herat
TAJIKISTAN 
CHINA
IRAN
AFGHANISTAN 
Kandahar
Kabul
PAKISTAN


Mes Aynak
Chinese consortium took on 30-year lease for Afghanistan’s largest copper project in 2008

Priority areas for mineral development
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Iron
Kabul
2.2bn tonnes
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Copper
30m tonnes
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Gold
2,700kg
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Rare earths*
*Lithium deposits shown
1.4m tonnes
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Fuel minerals
Uranium
Coal
Petroleum
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Gemstones
Emeralds
Lapis Lazuli
Rubies
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All resource figures estimated


Sources: Bloomberg, Reuters
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