Bruce Herbert, assistant head of the Department of Geology and Geophysics at Texas A&M, says reports that as much as $1 trillion worth of minerals may lie in Afghan soils are really not surprising. U.S. officials have surveyed the area and concluded that vast amounts of iron, copper, gold, cobalt and lithium are likely plentiful in the region. [Source: Texas A&M News & Information Services. Image: About.com]