 |
Nation Building Does not Include Railroads!
Author: Pdxrailtransit
Date: 10-09-2012 - 19:03
From: Railroads: an Achilles Heel for Afghan Mines
It would figure that it would be a Chinese company to build a railroad in Afghanistan. Obviously the fatuous American pretext of "nation building," is a croc.
A draft report by the US military claims that Afghanistan's lack of a railway may prove to be a major obstacle to mining the country's estimated $1 trillion in mineral deposits.
According to US newspaper The Wall Street Journal, researchers for the US Department of Defense report said that the country needs a railway network which could cost up to $54 billion in order to carry its raw material from Afghanistan to other countries – a burdensome cost which could render mining unviable.
Income from Afghanistan's mines is seen as a key plank for Afghanistan's economy as international aid dwindles.
The country's budget expects to make $300 million from mining projects by 2016. Over the next 12 years, mining income is slated to make up half the country's GDP.
However, some officials who spoke to WSJ suggested that the railway problem may be tackled by transporting the raw material with large trucks.
The Chinese consortium CNPC which has rights to mine the Aynak copper mine outside Kabul is reviewing whether it will build a $3.5 billion railway as per the terms of its agreement. The WSJ said that most Western officials agreed the railway may never happen as it was not essential to transport the copper.
Others officials said they were doubtful that a railway would cost as much as the $54 billion estimated in the US Defense report.
It would figure that it would be a Chinese company to build a railroad in Afghanistan. Obviously the fatuous American pretext of "nation building," is a croc.
A draft report by the US military claims that Afghanistan's lack of a railway may prove to be a major obstacle to mining the country's estimated $1 trillion in mineral deposits.
According to US newspaper The Wall Street Journal, researchers for the US Department of Defense report said that the country needs a railway network which could cost up to $54 billion in order to carry its raw material from Afghanistan to other countries – a burdensome cost which could render mining unviable.
Income from Afghanistan's mines is seen as a key plank for Afghanistan's economy as international aid dwindles.
The country's budget expects to make $300 million from mining projects by 2016. Over the next 12 years, mining income is slated to make up half the country's GDP.
However, some officials who spoke to WSJ suggested that the railway problem may be tackled by transporting the raw material with large trucks.
The Chinese consortium CNPC which has rights to mine the Aynak copper mine outside Kabul is reviewing whether it will build a $3.5 billion railway as per the terms of its agreement. The WSJ said that most Western officials agreed the railway may never happen as it was not essential to transport the copper.
Others officials said they were doubtful that a railway would cost as much as the $54 billion estimated in the US Defense report.
| Subject | Written By | Date/Time (PST) |
|---|---|---|
 Nation Building Does not Include Railroads! |
Pdxrailtransit | 10-09-2012 - 19:03 |
|
Re: Nation Building Does Include Railroads!
|
BOB2 | 10-10-2012 - 07:35 |