Afghanistan: Chinese Miners in Talks to Access Vast Afghan Lithium Reserves

Nov 24, 2021 | Eltaf Najafizada, Bloomberg
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Chinese firms are showing interest in exploiting Afghanistan’s vast untapped mineral resources as Beijing seeks a role in reconstructing the nation’s war-ravaged economy.  Afghanistan is sitting on deposits estimated to be worth $1 trillion or more, including what may be the world’s largest lithium reserves, a vital component for the energy-storage batteries that are driving the world’s transition away from fossil fuels. The opportunity in Afghanistan comes after the U.S., China’s great geopolitical rival, ended its two-decades long military presence in the country earlier this year.