SOVIET

Afghanistan's potential mineral wealth is probably great, and there has been considerable prospecting in recent years especially in the area of precious stones. Other resources currently exploited include coal, natural gas, salt, lapis lazuli, talc and barium sulfate. Long-term mineral development projects include copper mining and smelting at Ainak and high-graded iron ore mining at Hijigak... Natural gas production had increased to 2.4 milliard cubic meters with about 97 percent was exported to the USSR via a 180 km pipeline. Now there are no exports of gas to Russia. There are reports of additional finds of natural gas and oil. Petroleum products were generally imported from the USSR, however it is envisaged that within 2 years Afghanistan will be self sufficient in regards petroleum products which will help it's economy considerably... AFGHANISTAN: HYDROCARBON SECTOR NEEDS ASSESSMENT (2004 - 2015) EXECUTIVE SUMMARY 1 Context · Afghanistan is well endowed with natural gas, coal..