The Taliban was against opium till they figured out they could get a lot of money for it. That money finances their Jihad against the rest of the world. It won't be long before they go after the minerals, more money to fight the world, and help them oppress more people. They will probably partner with China for the mining.
The Taliban prohibited opium production in 2001, just months prior to our intervention in Afghanistan post 9/11, and so never had a chance to enforce. For the decade prior to that (1991-2001) Afghanistan was the #1 producer. Prior to that in 1971 they produced 100 tons of opium, 1982 they produced 300 tons, and doubled one year later to 575 tons. Where were the Taliban during all these years? Prior to 89 they hand their hands full of Soviets. With 2 years of no Soviet presence they got to be #1. UBL Enterprises brought in ex-Soviet chemists to refine the process and exponentially increased their profit margin. So why then after decades of profiteering from opium sales did the Taliban change their mind?
The reason I bring this up is because there is historical evidence of mining in Afghanistan going back to 1000AD. I am skeptical that the presence of copper, gold, silver, & lithium comes as any shock to the Afghani people. Sitting on all that wealth, knowing that its there (perhaps not how much) but choosing to farm opiates rather than mine speaks to a cultural factor that has a longer history than the Taliban. I believe the evidence is there that Taliban have no personal agenda at world domination (but are enthusiastic supporters of "freedom fighters" both in training and materials which is why we fight them), and as such they are less interested in their mineral resources. That seems alien to Americans, I know - if we knew there was a lot of wealth on our land, we'd ... oh wait, we'd outlaw the production of it for the preservation of a wetland. Sorry, what was I thinking.
The Taliban have more in common with the Bedou of the Saudi Peninsula, and that's frustrating to Karzai who is more like the Saud family. The Sauds allowed foreigners to help them get rich, and really only wanted wealth and luxury. The built great cities for the Bedou to live in, but the Bedou have no appreciation for it. They built fires on the living room floors, and complained the doors were too small for their camels. What's funny is the Saud's guilty secret is they like to go out in the desert and pretend to be Bedou ... camp in tents with bunch of buddies, kill a goat and roast it, sing songs, etc. Then drive off in their Mercedes SUVs. The difference in Afghanistan is that the Taliban are more cognizant of world events than the Bedou; just as disinterested in modernity and progress, but willing to collect wealth ... to a point. Its not the Taliban who are excited about this wealth; its Karzai and the Afghan progressives that the US is backing.
