Afghanistan, where new fighting is now awaited, may still be the most heavily mined area in the world.

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Nautilus says that it is devising strategies for minimising the environmental impact, by trying to contain any disturbed sediment and leaving parts of the seabed untouched so the mined area can be recolonised by marine life.

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Victorian industrialists mined the area for minerals such as alum, jet and ironstone.

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Khan said the personnel surrendered after Taliban forces mined the area, preventing access.

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Hillary Clinton and former mayor Rudy Giuliani have mined the area's wealth, pulling donations from the likes of former Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin (a Clinton donor) and real estate mogul Leonard Stern (a Giuliani contributor).

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He said when he arrived he was told the whole area was mined and booby-trapped.

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The resource possibilities in Northern Quebec are considered unique as a variety of precious and base metals can be mined in the same area.

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Because the area is heavily mined and laden with roadside bombs, Marines are using mine rollers to clear roads, Pelletier said.

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