The US Geological Survey has announced that it has uncovered one of the richest deposits of rare earth metals anywhere in the world. The only problem is its whereabouts the Taliban controlled badlands of Afghanistan’s Helmand Province.

So far the USGS team has mapped 1.3 billion tonnes of rocks in the region and estimates that they hold enough rare earths to supply current world demand for ten years. The discovery will spark huge interest from mining companies and could also hold the key to Afghanistan’s future prosperity.

(Sourced from www.lighting.co.uk)