Afghanistan pins hopes on natural resources

http://aje.me/WDGQPe

01/Feb/2013

Source: Al Jazeera (Jennifer Glasse reports from Kabul province)

Country is estimated to have deposits of various elements, mostly copper, worth $1 trillion.

Afghanistan’s finance minister says the economy will easily survive the departure of international forces next year. His optimism is based on reports that the country has huge reserves of natural resources – mostly copper.

The US estimates that Afghanistan could be sitting on deposits worth $1 trillion. That includes gold, iron ore, uranium and precious stones, including emeralds.

But for now, agriculture remains Afghanistan’s biggest export earner with fruit and nuts, tobacco and wool topping the list.