Archive · 2 Sep 2026
Taliban Offers Trillion-Dollar Minerals to Win U.S. Engagement
Afghanistan has valuable minerals such as copper, iron, gold and lithium underground.
The Taliban-led government says American companies can invest in finding and mining them.
It also wants investment in roads, farming and trade.
In return, Kabul hopes the United States will ease sanctions and unlock frozen Afghan money.
The Taliban says relations should be based on future cooperation instead of the past war.
The United States has shown little interest in formally improving ties so far.
President Donald Trump has also demanded the return of Bagram Air Base, but the Taliban rejected foreign military facilities.
Afghanistan has already signed mining deals with countries including China and Iran.
The country faces major infrastructure needs, while millions of Afghans are experiencing severe hunger and child malnutrition.
The Taliban-led Afghan government says it welcomes U.S. investment in mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade.
Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi urged Washington to focus on future cooperation rather than the two decades of war.
U.S. and former Afghan government assessments place Afghanistan’s largely untapped mineral resources at least $1 trillion.
Kabul reportedly hopes investment proposals will help secure sanctions relief and the release of about $9.5 billion in frozen Afghan central-bank assets.
The Taliban has signed mining contracts worth more than $7 billion since returning to power, although the projects may not all be operational.
- Who
- The Taliban-led Afghan government, Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, the United States and potential American investors.
- What
- The Taliban is offering access to Afghanistan’s mineral wealth and other economic sectors while seeking improved relations with Washington.
- When
- The proposal was reported five years after the Taliban takeover and the 2021 withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO forces; Muttaqi’s interview was published Monday local time.
- Where
- Afghanistan, with proposed investment focused on its mineral resources and other economic sectors.
- Why
- Kabul wants foreign investment and reportedly hopes to obtain sanctions relief, release frozen assets and reduce its international isolation.
Taliban-led government’s position
U.S. position described in the reports
Economic engagement
Taliban-led government’s position
The Taliban says Afghanistan’s economic policy is open and welcomes American investment in mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade.
U.S. position described in the reports
The reports say President Donald Trump has shown little to no willingness to establish ties with the Taliban.
Basis for relations
Taliban-led government’s position
Muttaqi says relations should be based on future cooperation rather than the previous 20 years of war.
U.S. position described in the reports
Trump previously called the 2021 withdrawal and collapse of the U.S.-backed Afghan government the “most embarrassing thing in the history of our country.”
Military presence and Bagram
Taliban-led government’s position
The Taliban says Afghan military and civilian facilities are national assets, rejects foreign military presence and refused Trump’s demand to return Bagram Air Base.
U.S. position described in the reports
Trump previously demanded the return of Bagram Air Base, which had been the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan.
- Estimated mineral value
- At least $1 trillion in largely untapped resources.
- Reported mineral reserves
- About 60 million tons of copper, 183 million tons of aluminium, 2.2 billion tonnes of iron ore and 1.4 million tonnes of rare-earth minerals.
- Investment sectors
- Mining, infrastructure, agriculture and trade.
- Frozen Afghan assets
- Nearly $9.5 billion belonging to the Afghan central bank, according to the report.
- Existing mining agreements
- More than $7 billion in contracts signed since the Taliban returned to power, including deals involving China and Iran.
- Diplomatic request
- Muttaqi urged Washington to reopen the U.S. embassy in Kabul.
- Key obstacle
- Afghanistan lacks the infrastructure needed for mining on a large scale.
