afghanistanâx80x99s lithium wealth could remain elusive - lithium battery price

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Somewhere on trackless land in most parts of Afghanistan (map)
Right around the old Silk Road, there is clearly a great deal of unexploited wealth that is precious in ancient and modern times in the form of metals and stones: gold, to name a few, copper and lapis lazuli.
In recent days, the United StatesS.
Military and geologists working with the Pentagon pointed out that the deposits are estimated to be worth about trillion dollars, a panacea that promises to revolutionize the troubled Afghan economy.
They believe that the most promising part of this underground store may be the deposit of lithium, a soft metal used for small batteries, powering ubiquitous electronic devices such as mobile phones and laptops, it is widely regarded as a storage solution to drive the electric vehicle revolution.
Afghanistan could change from war.
The drug-dependent economy has been torn apart and has become the source of a new energy future-lithium-based Saudi Arabia.
However, like this country known as the imperial cemetery, everything is not like it seems.
Afghanistan's metals and minerals have been recognized and fantasized for thousands of years.
However, there is no ability to harvest wealth at present.
In the case of lithium, the market is uncertain. A Long-
The Afghan Ministry of Mines reported on its website that the country has been considered a source of gems and minerals for thousands of years.
However, no systematic attempt was made until the age of 1800, first by the UK and then by the Geological Survey of India to assess the resources.
The ministry reported that from the 19 th century, various geological exploration activities investigated areas along the main fleet routes and later along the main motorized roads.
In the 20 th century, the work of drawing and mining resources was launched sporadically. (
Video: Secret Treasure of Afghanistan)
But the games were interrupted by ongoing conflicts, including the Soviet invasion of 1979, the invasion of the United States and Britain in 2001, and the Civil War and the siege of the Taliban.
But by 2004, the British Geological Survey, the United States Geological Survey, the Afghan Geological Survey and the mining department had once again made efforts to evaluate these resources.
As early as 2007, the U. S. Geological Survey said it was clear that Afghanistan had a large number of undiscovered resources. Michael T.
"Resource War: A new landscape of global conflict, Blood and Oil: The dangers and consequences of America's growing dependence on imported oil," noted Klare, author of the book, britain, India and the Soviet Union had little success in tapping the wealth of Afghanistan.
This is not clear at all, what will be the difference this time.
In the past, he said, we were unable to solve the problem due to constant wars and lack of infrastructure such as railways.
Klare believes that China is a huge builder of railways and may be the only candidate capable of carrying out such a project, but it will face the same daunting obstacles as mountains.
He said they might deal with warlords who want to bribe.
There is no regulatory authority, and there is no rule of law.
This is the possible result.
He said it could take decades to actually produce minerals.
The development of lithium deposits is particularly problematic.
Of course, with the proliferation of mobile phones, portable computers and other electronic devices that rely on rechargeable lithium, there is a surge in demand for lithium. ion batteries. A 2008 U. S.
Geological Survey report pointed out that the use of lithium in mobile phone batteries from 1.
It was 8 metric tons in 1996 and 170 metric tons in 2005.
And, like oil, more than half of America's lithium use depends on foreign sources, from producers to a huge importer. Chile (map)
According to U. S. data, he is the world's leading producer of lithium and the largest source of imports in the U. S.
Latest lithium market report from geological survey. (
Related: â x80 x9c Lithium Rush â x80 waste)
Bolivia, a neighbor of northern Chile (map)
There are also huge lithium stores, but these have not yet been developed.
Foreign mining companies have been wary of President Evo Morales, who has nationalized many industries in Bolivia and made it clear that he intends to maintain state control over resources, although his goal is to develop the country's lithium reserves.
At the same time, according to the US Geological Survey report, although it is predicted that demand for lithium will surge in the future, the market situation deteriorated during the economic slowdown.
Sales of major lithium producers reportedly fell 15% to 42% in the medium term
The report says 2009.
Consumption by lithium end
The market for the use of batteries, ceramics and glass, grease and medicines has declined.
Chile's largest producer of lithium has announced that it will cut its price by 20% in 2010.
While car companies continue to explore the use of lithium energy storage for electric vehicles, today's hybrids on the road continue to use nickel-metal hydrogen batteries.
Although most observers believe that the transition to a lighter, smaller and more efficient lithium battery will be made during transportation, there is still a voice of doubt.
Former Honda engineer and hybrid expert John De said in an interview with hybrid cars at the end of last year.
He believes that the lithium-ion battery can not provide enough range as a storage solution for all options.
Electric cars.
The Germans do think Lithium plays a role in the mixed gas.
Like those electric cars that are already on the road.
Former Bell Lab director and lithium-ion battery expert Don Murphy came to a similar conclusion in a Silicon Valley speech earlier this year;
He said he believes lithium battery technology will improve but progress is slow.
But the debate about lithium batteries and cars may not be important for Afghan citizens.
Klare, professor of peace and world security studies at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, predicts that mineral wealth will not be of much benefit to ordinary Afghan people and may make things worse, not better
The country has classic conditions to become a victim of what is called a "resource curse.
In very poor countries, when a new source of wealth is suddenly discovered, various factions are trying to control the wealth, he said, in order to put it in their own hands, they use the army and police to control it, resulting in a permanent state of corruption and violence.
This has already happened in Nigeria (map)
With its oil and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (map)
A large supply of minerals.
Congo, Klare said that since its discovery there, nothing but sorrow has been seen. âx80x9d(
Looking for new planets, looking for lithium? âx80x9d)(
See also: Afghanistan quiz: Treasure and trouble)