Copper Mining Threatens Afghan Buddhas

By ⋅ November 9, 2012 ⋅ Post a comment
A gold-plated seated Buddha overlooks the MCC mine. (Photo: Brent E. Huffman)

A gold-plated seated Buddha overlooks the MCC mine. (Photo: Brent E. Huffman)

For our Geo Quiz picture a golden Buddha sitting atop a mountain of copper.

We’re looking one of the largest underground copper deposits in the world. It’s in an eastern province of Afghanistan southeast of Kabul.

A Chinese company has purchased the right to mine the site. And cash strapped Afghanistan stands to reap billions of dollars in revenue from the deal.

But there’s a hitch.

There’s an ancient Buddhist monastery there and the site is full of centuries old Buddha statues and artifacts.

Mining operations threaten all of them, and archaeologists are scrambling to save what they can.

So which is more important?

The copper representing Afghanistan’s economic potential — or the Buddhas representing its cultural heritage?

For now just tackle this simpler question:

Name the site where ancient Buddhas may soon be destroyed by a copper mine that’s set to start operations in December.

The answer is Mes Aynak in Afghanistan’s Logar Province where there’s an ancient Buddhist monastery – full of thousands of years old Buddha statues and artifacts.

But copper mining operations threaten all of them, and archeologists are scrambling to save what they can.

Documentary filmaker and journalist Brent Huffman says the value of the ancient cultural heritage is greater than any economic promise to Afghanistan of mining the copper.

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Discussion

12 comments for “Copper Mining Threatens Afghan Buddhas”

  • http://twitter.com/bjbarsook Beverly Barsook

    yet another sad example of the world’s cultural heritage disappearing.

  • stargirl9

    Visualize transmutation of untruths and corruption, love and peace, harmony,compassion and perfection. We really need these thoughts in order to rid of all these greed that wipes out beauty in this world.

  • http://twitter.com/apaiwand Rahim

    Afghanistan can make more money by preserving this Site and promoting tourism than by mining copper.

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1751575619 Molina Jayaratna

      You are correct.But it is quite hazardous Isnt it?

    • RangerUp007

       Negative, Afghanistan needs the revenues from the copper mine to built a stable and self sufficient economy and stop begging the world for money. The idea of tourism is like a dream which may never come true. Afghans hate their heritage and have always destroyed Buddhas and other historical monuments. I say, get a strong economy, get an education so Afghans can understand the value of the artifacts and not destroy them by saying, “the people would become infidels if Buddahs stand, “then you will be groomed to make such comments.

  • http://twitter.com/apaiwand Rahim

    Once the copper runs out than what, why not preserve the Site and make a long term investment in tourism, or if Afghans cannot afford than Chinese should buy the Site and make a nice resort.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1751575619 Molina Jayaratna

    Is there any chance of removing the statues before the mining?

    • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1421323396 Bob Granger

       The story indicates that the relics and temples are far too fragile to move, so destruction is imminent

  • Brent Huffman

    You can make a donation to help finish this documentary and save Mes Aynak here:

    http://www.kickstarter.com/projects/472409280/the-buddhas-of-mes-aynak

  • http://www.facebook.com/ooi.jeff1 Ooi Jeff

    we are making an fb event to invite ppl to sign the petitions. please join, promote and invite your friends to the event. to help save this place. 

    http://www.facebook.com/events/397590733659125/

  • Abe Clark

    The value of Afghanistan’s copper and lithium deposits, untapped, is estimated to be about $1 trillion. Spread out over the 30 million population of afghanistan, and you have thirty three thousand dollars per person, which is far more than most afghanis will ever see in their lives. 

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100003299702268 Justine Kahn

    what?? i thought i heard tourism and afghanistan in the same sentence !! … it would be ridiculous to work on the (dumb) idea of a tourist site in Afghanist an rather than work on the mineral reserves that are actually lying below. destroy the bloody statues and bring some money into this war torn country. ….. DO NOT donate for a low budget amateur documentary … give your money to red cross/cresent and the UN backed charities who are actually giving food to the children of Afghanistan.