Bidding for the rights to explore the reserves could begin in as little as six months, said Jawad Omar, the spokesman for the mines ministry. The minister is expected to give a detailed news conference on the study later in the week.

Ah, an accelerated bidding process that could draw in lots and lots of international competition in one of the most corrupt countries on earth. What could go wrong? More Rubin:

Assuming the $1 trillion valuation and Afghanistan’s population of 29 million, that would give each Afghan man, woman and child roughly $34,482.76.

Yes, because citizens of underdeveloped countries that suddenly find themselves in the midst of resource wealth always find themselves with equitable revenues from the development of those resources.

Very unexpectedly, the Pentagon is doing a briefing on the mineral wealth “discovery” in a few minutes. I’ll update this post when I know more. Update: Never mind! The call-in number DOD gave out doesn’t work.