The US-based National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has confirmed the existence of gas reserves in northern and southwestern Afghan regions.
The NASA also hinted at the existence of copper and gold reserves in the central Logar province and fuel reserves near Amo River, a senior official claimed.
Afghan Mines and Industries Minister Mir Mohammad Siddique told a news conference here: "We were earlier unaware of the natural gas, copper and fuel reserves discovered by NASA." An agreement on exploring these reserves involving US doll.17 million was signed between the Afghan mines minister and former US ambassador Zalmay Khalilzad in Kabul last year.
The NASA launched its work of exploring the natural resources by taking aerial pictures of the mines. The minister said the US agency had provided him a map showing Afghanistan's different mines.
He added there were gas mines in Balkh, Faryab, Badghis and Jawzjan, Farah and Helmand while copper and gold reserves were found in Logar. He said the exploration had shown fuel reserves on both sides of Amo River.
Siddiqui continued the government wanted to buy modern equipment for excavating the sites. "We have contacted the Asian Development Bank, which has pledged to give us funds for the purchase of modern excavation tools." The government planned to hand over the mines to private companies, he said, revealing the US doll.33 billion copper reserves in Logar would be leased out to a firm.
Also, there are mines of precious stones in Afghanistan and the US has promised to help in their excavation and cutting.
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