"Dan Rather Reports" Looks at Afghanistan's Largest Foreign Investment Project - A Copper Mine, now Controlled by the Chinese Government

"Dan Rather Reports" Looks at Afghanistan's Largest Foreign Investment Project - A Copper Mine, now Controlled by the Chinese Government

Was the bidding process for mining this copper fair, and does China truly intend to bring jobs and economic development to the people of Afghanistan? Tuesday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET

DALLAS, April 11, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Tuesday's "Dan Rather Reports" focuses on the world's second largest untapped copper deposit, located in Afghanistan's volatile Logar Province, in a town called Mes Aynak, 20 miles outside of Kabul. The mine was recently offered up for bid to international mining companies. A Chinese company won the contest for the mine, which is said to be worth 88 billion dollars.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080324/HDNETLOGO)

According to the Afghan Ministry of Mines, the Chinese outbid a slew of Western mining companies in a fair and open process with over three billion dollars and big promises of helping out the locals.

But to hear one man tell it, the biggest commercial project in the history of Afghanistan will help no one but the Chinese. That's the allegation of James Yeager, an American mining expert, who worked as an advisor to the Afghan Ministry of Mines during the bidding.

"One of the problems with international development, is a lot of countries have a tendency to develop the resources, but the wealth only goes to those in power," says Yeager. "And that's a real problem, because the real wealth needs to go to the people and develop the country."

If and when the fighting ever stops in Afghanistan, the success of the country's economy will depend on one crucial factor: foreign investment. The country needs capital and jobs. Will this copper mine, potentially worth billions of dollars, now owned and operated by the Chinese government, help or hinder Afghanistan's opportunity for economic growth?

Watch "Dan Rather Reports: The Mother Lode" premiering on HDNet, Tuesday, April 12 at 8:00 p.m. ET with an encore at 11:00 p.m. ET.

About HDNet
HDNet (www.hd.net) is the independent network with unique and thought-provoking content that appeals to men of all ages and is delivered in true high definition.

HDNet is the exclusive, high definition home for popular, original programming, including the network's Emmy Award winning HD news feature programs, "HDNet World Report," and "Dan Rather Reports," featuring legendary journalist Dan Rather. Only HDNet goes beyond the headlines to deliver real news that is redefining the way we look at our world. HDNet News is provocative, sometimes controversial and always relevant - telling the important stories of our time in-depth, with attitude and with independence. HDNet is also the exclusive high definition home to critically acclaimed and award winning documentaries, airing as part of the "HDNet 'Round The World" series. "NASA on HDNet" presents all live shuttle launches through 2011.

HDNet presents championship sports coverage featuring the best of Mixed Martial Arts with its Friday night series, "HDNet Fights" (www.hdnetfights.com). HDNet works with leading MMA promoters including DREAM, Sengoku, XFC, K-1, K-1 Max, MFC and more. HDNet produces more live Mixed Martial Arts events than any other network and HDNet's "Inside MMA" is the hottest Mixed Martial Arts program on television, giving fans their weekly fix for everything MMA, while "Fighting Words with Mike Straka," goes one-on-one with some of the biggest names in the sport. HDNet also features live coverage of regular season games from the United Football League.

HDNet also delivers the world's largest and most diverse concert line-up through the HDNet Concert Series. The HDNet Concert Series features leading artists and bands including Paul McCartney, Mariah Carey, John Mayer, Nickelback and more. HDNet also features revealing lifestyle programming featuring "Art Mann Presents," "Girls Gone Wild®," "Deadline" and "Get Out!"

Only HDNet Movies (www.hdnetmovies.com) delivers exclusive Sneak Previews of new movies before they hit theaters. The HDNet Movies Sneak Preview series features top Hollywood stars in critically acclaimed performances including Gwyneth Paltrow, Joaquin Phoenix, Demi Moore, Michael Caine, Tom Hanks, Vera Farmiga, Parker Posey, Brian Cox, Matthew Broderick, Kirsten Dunst, Ryan Gosling, John Malkovich, Emily Blunt, Robin Williams, Charlize Theron and Kim Basinger.

In addition to being the exclusive home of Sneak Previews, HDNet Movies viewers enjoy the best films from the classics of the 1950s-1970s, to favorite films from the 1980s and 1990s, to recently released theatrical films.

HDNet Movies offers subscribers a premium movie viewing experience in true HD, and more original movies shot entirely in HD than any other network.

Launched in 2001 by Mark Cuban and General Manager Philip Garvin, the HDNet networks are available in the U.S. via AT&T U-verse, Charter, Comcast, DIRECTV, DISH Network, Insight, and Verizon FiOS and in Canada via Access Communications, Cogeco, Rogers, Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct.

The HDNet networks can be followed via Facebook at facebook.com/HDNet, facebook.com/HDNetFights and facebook.com/HDNetMovies and via Twitter at twitter.com/hdnet, twitter.com/hdnetfights and twitter.com/hdnetmovies.

SOURCE HDNet

Photo:http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20080324/HDNETLOGO
http://photoarchive.ap.org/
HDNet

CONTACT: Colette Carey of HDNet, +1-303-542-5576, ccarey@hd.net

Web Site: http://www.hd.net

-------
Profile: intent