What are the major mineral resources in Afghanistan?

Afghanistan has large untapped energy and mineral resources, which have great potential to contribute to the country's economic development and growth. The major mineral resources include chromium, copper, gold, iron ore, lead and zinc, lithium, marble, precious and semiprecious stones, sulfur and talc among many other minerals.

Can Afghanistan meet its own energy needs?

With these resources, Afghanistan has the potential not only to meet its own energy demands but also to export surplus energy to other South Asian nations. However, it has only limited capacity to draw benefits from its resources. In the absence of sufficient hydropower projects, its river waters end up flowing into neighboring countries.

Where is the most undiscovered natural gas located in Afghanistan?

Most of the undiscovered crude oil occurs in the Afghan-Tajik Basin and most of the undiscovered natural gas is located in the Amu Darya Basin. These two basins within Afghanistan encompass areas of approximately 515,000 square kilometers.

How much oil & natural gas is there in Afghanistan?

The United States Geological Survey and the Afghan Ministry of Mines and Industry jointly assessed the oil and natural gas resources in northern Afghanistan. The estimated mean volumes of undiscovered petroleum were 1,596 million barrels (Mbbl) of crude oil, 444 billion cubic meters of natural gas, and 562 Mbbl of natural gas liquids.

Could Afghanistan be the richest mining region in the world?

Afghanistan's resources could make it one of the richest mining regions in the world. Afghanistan has large untapped energy and mineral resources, which have great potential to contribute to the country's economic development and growth.

What are alternative energy sources in Afghanistan?

The Afghan National Development Strategy has identified alternative energy, such as wind and solar energy, as a high value power source to develop. As a result, a number of solar and wind farms have been established, with more currently under development.