With eye to China investment, Taliban now preserve Buddhas

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Afghanistan's Taliban rulers are working to protect ancient Buddha statues in caves carved into cliffsides outside Kabul. One reason: They’re pinning their hopes on China to develop the site, believed to hold the world's largest deposit of copper.

The Taliban’s spectacular reversal illustrates the powerful allure of Afghanistan’s untapped mining sector. Successive authorities have seen the country’s mineral riches, estimated to be worth $1 trillion, as the key to a prosperous future, but none have been able to develop them amid the continual war and violence. Now, multiple countries, including Iran, Russia and Turkey are looking to invest, filling the vacuum left in the wake of the chaotic U.S. withdrawal.

A technical committee from MCC is due in Kabul in the coming weeks to address the remaining obstacles. Relocating the artifacts is key. But MCC is also seeking to renegotiate terms, particularly to reduce taxes and slash the 19.5% royalty rate by nearly half, the percentage owed to the government per ton of copper sold.

After the Soviet invasion in the late 1970s, Russians dug tunnels to investigate the copper deposit; the cavernous bore holes are still visible. These were later used as an al-Qaida hideout, and at least one was bombed by the U.S. in 2001. “We have already transferred some to the capital, and we are working to transfer the rest, so the mining work can begin,” Dilawar told The Associated Press.They did not speak to the AP on record, citing sensitivities around the talks happening while international sanctions still prohibit dealings with the Taliban.

 

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Yeah, because unlike RioTinto or bhp and the like. China's mining companies aren't gonna give a crap about the LGBTQ community, women's rights or even free speech. 🙄🤷🏻‍♂️🤨 GreatJustGreat | FU 🖕| Taliban

As long as women are kept uneducated & poor, the country will b the same.

Working to protect=Not blowing up

Little late for that

Economics of leadership

ALL CHICAGO TEAMS ARE BEATEN BY THE 14TH AMENDMENT, THE STATE OF ILLINOIS IS IN DEFIANCE OF A CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHT AND HEARBY CONDEMMED UNTIL RESTITUTION IS MADE!

For the love of 💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰💰.

The hypocrisy…

:D

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