According to a recent study released by the US Geological Survey, Afghanistan may be home to a massive rare earth element deposits containing about 1.5 million tonnes worth of the rare earth material.

By the USGS’s estimates, Afghanistan’s rare earth element reserves could amount to up to USD 1 trillion worth of the precious materials. According to chemical analysis on rock samples near the deposits, the concentration of the rare earth materials could rival China’s largest deposit.

Mr Robert Tucker USGS scientist said that “I fully expect that our estimates are conservative. With more time and with more people doing proper exploration, it could become a major discovery.”

Mr Eklil Hakimi, Afghanistan’s ambassador to the US said that USGS’s new data may be invaluable in securing additional foreign investment in the region. Afghanistan has modern hydrocarbon laws and mining laws, favorable to investors. I believe that the key to peace in Afghanistan lies in our mineral resources because lasting security and stability is dependent on the amount of economic opportunity available to Afghans.

Ms Regina Dubey acting director of Defense Department’s task force for business and stability operations echoed Hakimi’s statements about the potential boost to Afghanistan’s economy saying, the mineral resources in Afghanistan have the potential to completely transform the nation’s economy.

(Sources from USGS, Bloomberg)