Al Jazeera, May 20, 2013

Race to save Afghanistan’s Buddhist treasures

Archaeologists look to save one of nation's richest historical sites amid Chinese plans to mine for copper

By Jennifer Glasse

Archaeologists just south of Kabul are racing to preserve one of the richest Buddhist historical sites ever found.

The ancient monasteries and statues in Mes Aynak are under threat from a Chinese company which plans to develop the area in order to tap into the world's second largest copper deposit.

Many fear the $3bn mining contract, Afghanistan's biggest commercial deal, will lead to the destruction of thousands-of-years old heritage sites.

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