Afghanistan's Mineral Wealth Is Splitting The Country

Image: Mining projects have begun in some places with foreign help. The New York Times

Potential For A Mining Boom Splits Factions In Afghanistan -- New York Times

KALU VALLEY, Afghanistan — If there is a road to a happy ending in Afghanistan, much of the path may run underground: in the trillion-dollar reservoir of natural resources — oil, gold, iron ore, copper, lithium and other minerals — that has brought hopes of a more self-sufficient country, if only the wealth can be wrested from blood-soaked soil.

But the wealth has inspired darker dreams as well. Officials and industry experts say the potential resource boom seems increasingly imperiled by corruption, violence and intrigue, and has put the Afghan government’s vulnerabilities on display.

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My Comment: Corruption on full display for all to see.