<P> Another US Geological Survey estimate from September 2011 showed that the Khanashin carbonatites in the Helmand Province of the country have an estimated 1 million metric tonnes of rare earth elements . Regina Dubey, Acting Director for the Department of Defence Task Force for Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO) stated that "this is just one more piece of evidence that Afghanistan's mineral sector has a bright future ." </P> <P> Afghanistan signed a copper deal with China (Metallurgical Corp. of China Ltd .) in 2008, which is to a large - scale project that involves the investment of $2.8 billion by China and an annual income of about $400 million to the Afghan government . The country's Ainak copper mine, located in Logar province, is one of the biggest in the world and is expected to provide jobs to 20,000 Afghans . It is estimated to hold at least 11 million tonnes or US $33 billion worth of copper . </P> <P> Experts believe that the production of copper could begin within two to three years and the iron ore in five to seven years as of 2010 . The country's other recently announced treasure is the Hajigak iron ore mine, located 130 miles west of Kabul and is believed to hold an estimated 1.8 billion to 2 billion metric tons of the mineral used to make steel . AFISCO, an Indian consortium of seven companies, led by the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), and Canada's Kilo Goldmines Ltd are expected to jointly invest $14.6 billion in developing the Hajigak iron mine . The country has several coal mines but need to be modernized . </P> <P> Afghanistan's important resource in the past has been natural gas, which was first tapped in 1967 . During the 1980s, gas sales accounted for $300 million a year in export revenues (56% of the total). 90% of these exports went to the Soviet Union to pay for imports and debts . However, during the withdrawal of Soviet troops in 1989, Afghanistan's natural gas fields were capped to prevent sabotage by the Mujahideen . Gas production has dropped from a high of 8.2 million cubic metres (2.9 × 10 cu ft) per day in the 1980s to a low of about 600,000 cubic meters (2.2 × 10 cu ft) in 2001 . After the formation of the Karzai administration, production of natural gas was once again restored . </P>

What is the current economic system in afghanistan