Asian mineral reserves: The countries that are sitting on a fortune

Timon Singh

With news that Afghanistan has uncovered around $1 trillion worth of untapped mineral deposits, APAC Infrastructure has decided to look at Asian mineral reserves and the countries that are sitting on a fortune.

Overall Asia has a massive amount of resources - in fact, it is estimated that nearly three-fifths of the world's amount of coal is found on the continent, with the largest reserves located in Siberia, the Central Asian republics, India, and China. While other countries may have small deposits, they still make up an important part of their economies.

However, even massive coal-producing countries like China has vast amounts of untapped resources and they are not the only ones. According to Business Inside, of the '15 Countries Sitting On A Fortune of Metals and Minerals', almost half are in the Asian and Pacific region.

They include:

Indonesia
According to the article, the country has US$227 billion in metal and ore reserves, something that the country has been utilising more and more to turn it to an economic powerhouse. Of these reserves, it is estimated that 48 percent is copper, 33 percent in gold and 19 percent nickel.

(Years of production: 27)

Kazakhstan
A relatively new country but one with a large amount of wealth it would seem with reserves in excess of US$292 billion. Of these, it is estimated that 64 percent of iron ore, 22 percent copper, 10 percent zinc and four percent bauxite.

(Years of production: 117)

India
One of the fastest growing economies on the planet, and a country that is rapidly becoming more and more industrialised. As such, India is said to have mineral reserves amounting to US$296 billion, of which iron ore makes up a massive percentage (86 percent). The rest is a combination of bauxite (eight percent) and zinc (six percent).

(Years of production: 164)

China
Arguably the most resource-rich country in the world, along with Russia, China has a wealth of mineral reserves and what it lacks in oil and gas reserves, it more than makes up for in coal.

Mineral reserve-wise, China's wealth exceeds US$717 billion, with 57 percent of their deposits iron ore, 15 percent copper, eight percent zinc and seven percent gold.

(Years of production: 17)

Australia
Known for its gas reserves, Australia is also rich in ore and precious metals with its deposits said to be worth US$1.5 trillion. Of these, it is estimated 46 percent is iron ore, 22 percent is nickel, 12 percent is bauxite, nine percent is gold, five percent is copper and one percent is zinc.

(Years of production: 43)

Russia
Spanning two continents, much of Russia's wealth is located in Asia, in vast ore deposits and gas fields. With a worth in excess of $1.6 trillion, Russia's minerals are as diverse as they are numerous; 49 percent iron ore, 20 percent potash, 14 percent platinum, eight percent gold, five percent nickel and four percent copper.

While many developing countries are keen to utilise their resources, Afganistan's rich natural deposits could cause a major upset in the world market.

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