Chinese mining groups are exploring Afghanistan in search of opportunities

Chinese mining groups are exploring opportunities in Afghanistan to secure the country’s premiums and copper deposits, while Beijing will occupy US-occupied territories with allies a few months after the Taliban seized power.

A delegation of miners has traveled to Afghanistan in recent weeks, according to a Kabul official and a Chinese corporation spokesman.

China’s efforts to protect mining rights come at a time when Afghanistan is facing a crisis economic and social problems following the departure of US troops and the alliance in August and after Beijing and Taliban leaders held talks before leaving the United States.

“China has been able to have direct contact with the Taliban since August 2021 and being one of the few countries to send aid has strengthened its ties with Taliban who are desperate for money to establish Afghanistan’s economy,” said Claudia Chia. specialist at the National University of Singapore’s Institute of South Asian Studies.

Leading economists are rushing for security available lithium and copper, the most important raw materials used in the production of technologies such as electric car batteries and mobile phones. Other reports have said that lithium deposits in Afghanistan could compete with the world’s most famous landmarks in Bolivia, according to Nomura.

Negotiations took place in recent weeks by the Taliban over a move to Mes Aynak, southeast of Kabul, one of the world’s largest copper mines in China. he had my ID.

At least one Chinese economic group has also traveled to the eastern region of Nangarhar and Laghman to explore how to use more salt, according to travel experts.

But the talks were still in its infancy and did not guarantee the return of the Chinese to the bombing Minerals in Afghanistan, the people said.

The Chinese company says most companies have inquired about the potential for exploration in Afghanistan, including lithium.

Nomura researchers said in a report that as “tier-1 lithium players”, companies “could not” participate in Afghanistan due to environmental, cultural and regulatory concerns.

Two Chinese workers mentioned in the report – Ganfeng Lithium, the world’s largest lithium producer, and Tianqi Lithium, one of China’s largest lithium miners – all refused to take part in the recent march.

Mining operations in Afghanistan have long faced serious operational and security challenges. For example, Laghman is the birthplace and final wall of Isis-K, a terrorist group led by Isis who is fighting a minority group against the Taliban.

China is concerned about the Taliban’s proximity to Xinjiang, a western province bordering Afghanistan and where Beijing has banned more than 1m Uyghurs and a few Muslims.

Any mining and manufacturing would depend on the Taliban to ensure Chinese economic security guarantees, researchers said.

“The Taliban may consider providing security on Chinese projects, similar to what Pakistan did on the CPEC projects,” Chia said, referring to Beijing-backed projects under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor.

“Alternatively, Chinese security companies, already in Central Asia and Pakistan, could be hired to provide security. . . That being said, ground security can be difficult to control, “he said.

China said requested that the financial sanctions be lifted in Afghanistan and for the Taliban to be able to access billions of dollars in foreign exchange reserves held by financial institutions, including the World Bank and the IMF.

Additional reports of Maiqi Ding in Beijing