Zalmay Khalilzad, former US special envoy to Afghanistan, has warned of China’s increasing efforts to dominate the region’s mineral wealth and urged Washington to take decisive action to counter Beijing’s expanding influence.
In a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, Khalilzad addressed President Donald Trump directly, stating that several Asian countries, including Afghanistan, are eager to explore mining partnerships with the United States.
He called for the development of comprehensive investment programmes to facilitate US engagement in mining sectors across the region, highlighting the strategic importance of timely decision-making.
“Afghanistan and others are ready to sign mining deals. The time to act is now,” Khalilzad wrote.
Afghanistan holds vast untapped reserves of copper, gold, oil, lithium and precious stones, with an estimated total value exceeding US$1 trillion. In recent years, the Taliban has prioritised resource extraction to stabilise its economy and circumvent international sanctions.
China, meanwhile, has significantly expanded its role in Afghanistan’s mining sector. Chinese firms have pledged more than US$7 billion in investments, particularly targeting lithium deposits. One of the largest projects, the Aynak copper mine, recently resumed operations after years of inactivity, bolstered by renewed Chinese funding.
Additionally, Beijing has secured major oil extraction agreements in the Amu Darya Basin, where production officially began in 2024.
