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A new from the United States Geological Survey reports that Afghanistan has at least $1 trillion in mineral . This is welcome news for Afghans, whose current biggest money-earner is . Underground minerals could change the of the country. The Pentagon said Afghanistan could become one of the world’s most important mining . There are huge of the metal lithium, which is a key raw of batteries. A Pentagon spokesperson said Afghanistan could become the “Saudi Arabia of lithium”. Jawad Omar, a spokesman for Afghan President Karzai, called the report “the best news we have had for many years”. He added: “This will drastically the lives of the Afghan people, their economic , and it will them”.

Mr Omar said for rights to mine the minerals could begin in as little as six months. The could present many problems for the government. Neighbouring countries and Afghan warlords might all want a in the . Many of the reserves are in Taliban strongholds. This will make it difficult to build the roads and the security necessary for the mining to take place. Another problem will be the safe transportation of of tons of minerals. Afghanistan is a landlocked country and the nearest are thousands of miles away. Trucks or trains would have to cross dangerous border . The Al Jazeera news agency also reports that corruption will be a key . It says Afghanistan’s ministry of mines has a reputation of being one of the country’s most institutions.