Afghan government invites Brazil to help developing mining sector

Last week a group of Brazilian diplomats returned from Afghanistan with the official request of helping to develop a regulatory framework and a business plan for the Asian country’s mining sector, aiming to open mineral deposits to private companies’ exploration. According to local authorities, President Hamid Karzai wants more autonomy from the U.S. thus he plans to bring alternative partners to develop the Afghan mining sector.

Brazilian staff was lead by minister Marco Farani, head of Brazil’s Cooperation Agency (ABC) and was received in Kabul by Mines minister Wahidullah Shahrani. The officers discussed agreements such as a joint venture to develop lithium batteries technology. Currently, only China, South Korea and the U.S. hold know-how in the area. Besides lithium, Afghanistan has significant iron ore, copper, cobalt and gold deposits.