Why the War Goes On

Afghanistan does not have oil, but what it does have is valuable minerals in abundance.  Of course one of the most valuable is gold, and western capitalists have made the first move to exploit the occupation of Afghanistan by western forces.  On Monday Afghan officials approved a multi-million dollar contract.  Ten capitalists from United States and Britain are investing an estimated $50 million to mine gold in Dushi district of Baghlan province says Afghanistan's minister of mines.  The DoD has put a conservative $1 trillion price on the deposits of iron, copper, cobalt, gold, and rare earth minerals that have gone unexploited because almost continuous social unrest in the country.  The Soviets estimated Afghanistan's gold reserves at $25 billion alone.  China recently closed a $3bn deal to mine copper at Aynak, thought to be one of the world's largest undeveloped reserves.  JP Morgan promoted the project, and production is estimated to take place within a year.