Afghan minerals faces huge obstacles.

FILE -- In a June 9, 2010 file photo US General David H. Petrarch commander of United States central Command, CENT COM, speaks at the Royal United Service Institute, Land Warfare conference in London, England. the New York Times reports that Petrarch has told them "hugely significant" mineral deposits have been located in Afghanistan.

KABUL, Afghanistan – It could take years and possibly even a peace settlement for Afghanistan to reap profits from nearly $1 trillion in untapped mineral resources that U.S. geologists say lie beneath its rugged terrain — some in areas currently controlled by Taliban insurgents or warlords.

A team of U.S. geologists and Pentagon officials has discovered vast mineral wealth in Afghanistan, conceivably enough to turn the scarred and impoverished country into one of the world's most lucrative mining centers, The New York Times reports.

Afghanistan has up to $1trillion (£690bn) worth of untapped mineral resources which could revolutionise the country's economy and perhaps even the war, American officials have said.