How does this find effect the U.S.'s position and policy in Afghanistan?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/world/asia/14minerals.html?no_interstitial

I forgot to add my opinion when I posted, so I will.

First, I think that if there was any chance we were going to ever leave the country, that is now gone.

I hope that this creates some sort of economic boom for the Afghani people and they reep the rewards. Maybe if they get a taste of some economic prosperity, it will squash the Taliban's movement (probably not, but wishful thinking).

To quote Ron White....."They're our NEW friends"

Interesting.
Could be good and bad.
Adds an whole new dynamic to the region.

The mineral richness of the region has been well known for decades. it would have bee exploited long ago except for no viable and cheap way to get the material to port.

However, given China's appetite for raw material, I would expect many foreign companies to try and exploit this leaving nothing for the Afghanistan people.

It's being met with skepticism, here is one opinion on it.
http://blog.foreignpolicy.com/posts/2010/06/14/say_what_afghanistan_has_1_trillion_in_untapped_mineral_resources

Noting that the data is years old and nothing new. The NYT article also doesn't particularly mention where the the 1 Trillion comes in.

ccrunner609;389465 wrote:No wonder Obama is in there.......so greedy.

You mean no wonder BHO escalated our involvement there? This could be how Obama plans to pay back the Chi Coms for lending our federal government money for the insane spending spree we've been witnessing. Damn...BHO's smarter than I thought!

ccrunner609;389792 wrote:I guess its ok as long as he isnt in there for oil its ok.

No blood for oil. But for lithium, let it flow.

So to get it right... VP Biden needs to have 8 or 9 anonymous Mineral experts at the White House for a meeting and keep their names secret for national security purposes