Potential Rare Earth Mines in Afghanistan

According to an Associated Press article, Afghanistan may have large deposits of rare earth metals, estimated by the Department of Defense to be worth $89 billion. There is, however, a problem:

[The rare earth deposits] are in one of the country’s most dangerous spots, on the south bank of the Helmand River in southern Afghanistan, where fighting rages in a traditional Taliban stronghold.

However, if the mines could be opened, it would prove beneficial to both the U.S. and Afghanistan:

“This deposit could represent a long-term opportunity for Helmand province, creating jobs and stabilizing the area,” a statement said.

Rare earth metals are used in a wide variety of products, including cell phones, hybrid car motors, and military equipment. In addition, the U.S. is almost entirely dependent on China for its supply of rare earth metals. As detailed in a previous ASP report, this dependency on one country for critical resources negatively affects our national security.

While these new mines in Afghanistan would allow the U.S. to diversify its rare earths supply chain, and would also help protect the U.S. from a Chinese embargo of rare earth metals, it will not improve the security of our supply chain.

This is why the U.S. must continue to look for new mining locations and expand its domestic mining capabilities. We cannot continue to rely on foreign mining and production capabilities. The reopening of the Mountain Pass, California mine is a good start.

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