An interesting NBC article from 2009 discussing China’s involvement in Afghanistan, and the Aynak copper mine in particular.

In addition to setting up the copper production infrastructure, which includes a smelter, power generation station, coal mine and groundwater system, the Chinese joint venture is also building roads, Afghanistan’s first national railway, new homes for villagers who will be resettled from the immediate area of the mine, hospitals and schools.

Source: Resource-hungry China heads to Afghanistan, Adrienne Mong, NBC News, 2009-10-14