Chapter 10C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Kundalan Copper

and Gold Area of Interest

By Michael P. Chornack and Thomas J. Mack

10C.1 Introduction

This chapter describes the geohydrology of the Kundalan copper-gold porphyry area of interest 

(AOI) in southeast Afghanistan identified by Peters and others (2007) (fig. 10C–1a,b). The AOI is 

located in southeast Afghanistan in the districts of Shah Wali Kot, Tarnak Wa Jaldak, Mizan, Qalat, 

Arghandab, and Dayampan in Zabul and Kandahar Provinces (fig. 2C-1a,b). The Charsu-Ghumbad 

subarea covers 327 km2 (square kilometers), the Baghawan-Garangh subarea covers 330 km2, and the 

Kunag Skarn subarea covers 738 km2 of the 2,576-km2 area of the AOI. 

Water is needed not only to process mineral resources in Afghanistan, but also to supply existing 

communities and the associated community growth that may accompany a developing mining economy. 

Information on the climate, vegetation, topography, and demographics of the AOI is summarized to 

provide information on the seasonal availability of, and seasonal demands for, water. The geohydrology 

of the AOI is described through the use of maps of streams and irrigated areas, generalized 

geohydrology and topography, and well locations. Where these data are available, the depth to water and 

height of static water in wells are documented. The results of lineament analyses are presented to 

identify areas where the rock may be more fractured than in other areas, which may be an indicator of 

high relative water yield and storage in some bedrock aquifers. 

Afghanistan’s recent turbulent history has left many of the traditional archival institutions in 

ruins, and most water-resource and meteorological data-collection activities had stopped by 1980. 

Recently (2011), nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), foreign government agencies, and the Afghan 

government have begun water-resource investigations; however, these activities and the amount of data 

collected are limited. This report summarizes the satellite imagery and climatic, topographic, geologic, 

surface-water, and groundwater data available. Geohydrologic inferences are made on the basis of an 

integrated analysis of these data and an understanding of conditions in other areas of Afghanistan. 

10C.1.1 Climate and Vegetation

Climate information for the Kundalan copper-gold porphyry AOI is based on data generated for 

the Afghanistan agricultural-meteorological (Agromet) project. Agromet was initiated by the 

U.S. Agency for International Development and the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization 

in 2003 to establish data-collection stations and develop country-wide agrometeorological services. 

Scientists with the Agromet project are assisting the Afghan Government to collect and analyze 

agricultural and meteorological data as they relate to crop production, irrigation, water supply, energy, 

and aviation. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) assumed responsibility for the operation of the 

project in 2005; by the end of August 2010, 87 Agromet stations were recording precipitation data and 

other parameters. Additionally, the Agromet project receives data from 18 Afghanistan Meteorological 

Authority (AMA) weather stations. The Agromet project has developed a database that includes data 

collected at the Agromet stations over the past 6 years (2005–2011), data collected at the AMA weather 

stations, and historical data collected at weather stations from 1942 to 1993. Data collected as part of the 

Agromet project are compiled annually by water year (September through August) and are reported in 

the Afghanistan Agrometeorological Seasonal Bulletin (Seasonal Bulletin) published by the Ministry of 
836 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock. Unless otherwise specified, the Agromet data cited in this report 

are from the agricultural season that extends from 1 September, 2009, to 31 August, 2010. 

a 
Chapter 10C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Kundalan Copper and Gold Area of Interest 837

b 

Figure 10C–1. (a) Landsat image showing the location of, and (b

The observed total precipitation for the 2009-2010 water year for the AOI, as published in the 

Seasonal Bulletin (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010, map 2), ranged from 201 to

220 mm (millimeters). The AOI received 41 to 80 mm of precipitation in February 2010, the month with 

the greatest rainfall, with the amount of precipitation increasing from east to west (Ministry of 

) place names, stream names, and streamgage 

station numbers in, the Kundalan copper-gold porphyry area of interest in southeast Afghanistan.
838 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010, map 3). The AOI received 7 to 18 mm of precipitation, the 

month with the least rainfall, in October 2009 (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010, 

map 4). 

The Kandahar Agromet station is located in Kandahar Province approximately 110 km 

(kilometers) southwest of the center of the AOI. This is the closest Agromet station to the AOI for which 

2009-2010 water year and long-term average (LTA) precipitation and temperature data are available 

(table 10C–1). 

Table 10C–1. Annual, long-term annual average, and long-term average minimum and maximum precipitation 

and temperature at the Kandahar Agrometeorological (Agromet) station approximately 110 km southwest of the 

Kundalan copper-gold porphyry area of interest, Afghanistan.

[AOI, area of interest; km, kilometers; m, meters; mm, millimeters; °C, degrees Celsius]

Precipitation Temperature

Long-term average1 Long-term average

Agromet

Station

1

Distance 

from AOI 

center 

(km)

Elevation 

(m) 

2009-

2010 

Annual 

(mm)

Annual 

(mm)

Monthly 

minimum 

and month 

(mm)

Monthly 

maximum 

and month 

(mm)

Minimum 

and month 

(°

Monthly 

mean 

C) (°

Maximum 

and month 

C) (°

Kandahar

C) 

110 1,020 304.3 317.5 1.2

June

August

83.2 

April

4.8 

January

15.9 31.8 

July

1 Long-term averages are based on data from 1942 to 1993 and 2005 to 2010 as reported in the Afghanistan 

Agrometeorological Seasonal Bulletin (Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock, 2010).

The Qalat-Zabul Agromet station is located in Zabul Province approximately 40 km southeast of 

the center of the AOI. This is the closest Agromet station to the AOI for which 2009–2010 water year 

precipitation and snowfall data are available. A total of 95 mm of precipitation was recorded at this 

station during the 2009-2010 water year. Total precipitation in the AOI likely is between that at the 

Kandahar and Qalat-Zabul stations. The Qalat-Zabul Agromet station had a total of 3 reported snow 

days during the 2009–2010 water year—1 in January and 2 in February. The snowfall reported at this 

station for the 2009–2010 water year was 8 cm (centimeters). The snow-depth map for 17 January, 2010 

(Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation and Livestock, 2010, map 6), indicates a snow depth of less than 

2 cm in the AOI. 

The “Potential Natural Vegetation” described in Breckle (2007) is the vegetation cover that 

would be present if it had not been modified by human activity. Today, as a result of continued 

exploitation such as grazing, farming, and deforestation, much of the original natural vegetation is found 

only in a few remote areas of Afghanistan. The destruction of the natural vegetation has resulted in the 

degradation and erosion of the soil cover in some areas. Many areas exhibit signs of long-lasting 

desertification caused by human activity.

The vegetation in the AOI is mostly Pistacia atlantica-Woodlands in the upper elevations and 

Dwarf Amygdalus-Semidesert in the lower areas as classified by Breckle (2007, p. 161). Much of the 

upland surface of the AOI is bedrock outcrop with thin alluvial cover and sparse vegetation. Azonal 

riverine vegetation likely was present in the stream valleys, but the trees have been harvested for fuel 

and building materials (Breckle, 2007, p. 181). Most land suitable for farming has been plowed and 

planted, especially in major perennial stream valleys and some of the ephemeral tributary stream valleys.

Irrigated fields are present in many of the valleys in the AOI (fig. 10C–2).
Chapter 10C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Kundalan Copper and Gold Area of Interest 839

Figure 10C–2. Historical streamgage locations, digitally generated drainage network, and irrigated areas in the 

Kundalan copper-gold porphyry area of interest in Afghanistan.
840 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

10C.1.2 Demographics

The Kundalan copper-gold porphyry AOI is sparsely populated, with much of the mountainous 

terrain having no inhabitants as indicated by the gray shading in figure 10C–3. Most of the AOI has a 

population density of 1 to 25/km2. There are a few populated areas along the Arghandab River and its 

tributaries, but even in these areas the maximum population density is only in the 51 to 100/km2 range 

(fig. 10C–3). The most populated area is the lowland area of the Baghawan-Garangh subarea, where 

several pixels have a density of 50 to 100/ km2

. The population density shown in figure 10C–3 has a 

pixel resolution of about 1 km2 (Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2010).

10C.1.3 Topography

The topography of the Kundalan copper-gold porphyry AOI is characterized by a central 

northeast-trending mountain ridge with many peaks higher than 3,500 m (meters) above sea level (asl) 

(fig. 10C–4). Three mountain peaks in the northeast corner of the Baghawan-Garangh subarea are higher 

than 4,000 m asl (Bohannon, 2005). The elevations of the valley bottoms range from 2,500 to 3,000 m 

asl. The drainage patterns formed by the perennial and ephemeral streams are primarily dendritic (Davis, 

2006). The major streams generally flow from northeast to southwest in the AOI (fig. 10C–1b).

10C.2 Geohydrology

The geohydrology of Afghanistan has been described in general terms by Abdullah and 

Chmyriov (1977, book 2). As defined in their “Geology and mineral resources of Afghanistan,” the 

Kundalan copper-gold porphyry AOI is in the “Argandab (Arghandab) Hydrogeological Massif situated 

in the south-east part of the Helmand-Arghandab Uplift.” The outcrops in the AOI can be grouped 

according to their physical and hydraulic properties. The generalized geohydrology of the AOI is shown 

in figure 10C–4 with the underlying topography to allow examination of the geohydrology in the context 

of relief. Figures 10C–5a and b show the generalized geohydrology without topography for a clearer 

depiction of the geohydrologic units. Any wells present in the map area (discussed in the Groundwater 

section) are shown in figures 10C–5a and b. Generalized geohydrologic groups were created from a 

country-wide geologic coverage (Doebrich and Wahl, 2006) by combining sediments and rocks into 

major sediment- or rock-type groups of similar hydrologic characteristics. The geohydrologic groups in 

the AOI, ranked from high to low relative hydraulic conductivity (Freeze and Cherry, 1979, table 2.3), 

are “sands, undifferentiated; conglomerate sediments and rocks; limestones and dolostones; sedimentary 

rocks; metamorphic rocks; and intrusive rocks and lavas” (figs. 10C–4, 10C–5a). Doebrich and Wahl 

(2006) used geologic maps at a scale of 1:250,000, modified from Russian and Afghan Geological 

Survey (AGS) mapping, to generate the country-wide geologic coverage. The 1:250,000-scale geologic 

map that covers this AOI is provided by Sawyer and Stoeser (2005). 

10C.2.1 Surface Water

A network of major, mostly perennial streams, in the Kundalan copper-gold porphyry AOI, 

modified from AIMS (Afghanistan Information Management Services, 1997) and VMAP1 (National 

Imagery and Mapping Agency, 1995), is shown in figure 10C–2. A network representing likely 

ephemeral streams, generated with a digital elevation model (DEM), also is shown in figure 10C–2. Two 

mapped springs, identified in the Vector Map (VMAP1) database (National Imagery and Mapping 

Agency, 1995), are shown in the AOI; however, others likely are present as well. Names of major 

streams and identification numbers for any streamgages and ungaged streamflow estimation sites in the 

AOI are shown in figure 10C–1b. The Arghandab River and two named tributaries, the Showy and 

Hezarboz Rivers, are located within the AOI. 
Chapter 10C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Kundalan Copper and Gold Area of Interest 841

Figure 10C–3. Population density of the Kundalan copper-gold porphyry area of interest in Afghanistan.
842 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Figure 10C–4. Topography and generalized geohydrology of the Kundalan copper-gold porphyry area of interest 

in Afghanistan.
Chapter 10C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Kundalan Copper and Gold Area of Interest 843

a 
844 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

b 

Figure 10C–5. (a) Generalized geohydrology, mapped faults, well locations, and depth to water, and (b) 

geohydrology and height of static water in well casings in community supply wells in the Kundalan copper-gold 

porphyry area of interest in Afghanistan.
Chapter 10C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Kundalan Copper and Gold Area of Interest 845

One streamgage in the AOI is located in the Charsu-Ghumbad subarea of the AOI on the 

Arghandab River at Mizan (Afghan identification number 4-1.L00-6A) (fig. 10C–1b). This station is at 

an elevation of 1,312 m asl and has a drainage area of 9,310 km2 and a period of record that extends 

from 12 February, 1972, to 30 September, 1980 (Williams-Sether, 2008). The annual mean streamflow 

per unit area for this station is 0.0045 m3/s/km2 (cubic meters per second per square kilometer). 

Maximum monthly streamflow occurs in the spring and minimum monthly streamflow occurs in the fall, 

reflecting the seasonal precipitation pattern discussed above. A statistical summary of monthly and 

annual mean streamflows for this station is presented in table 10C–2. Statistical summaries of 

streamflow data for all available historical gages in Afghanistan can be accessed at 

Another streamgage station on the Arghandab River is the Arghandab River above Arghandab 

Reservoir (Afghan identification number 4-7.L00-5A), located about 60 km downstream from the 

Arghandab River at Mizan station (10C–1

http://afghanistan.cr.usgs.gov/water.php.

b, 10C–2). This station is at an elevation of 1,154 m asl, has a 

drainage area of 11,525 km2

, and has a period of record from 1 October, 1951, to 31 March, 1979 

(Williams-Sether, 2008). The annual mean streamflow per unit area for this station is 0.0036 m3/s/km2

Streamflow statistics were estimated for selected ungaged streams that may be prominent in the 

AOI or subareas to provide some probable estimates of flow for these locations. Streamflow statistics, 

presented in appendix 2, were calculated for points S23 and S24 (figs. 10C–1

. 

The seasonal timing of the maximum and minimum monthly streamflow is similar to that at the 

Arghandab River at Mizan, reflecting the seasonal precipitation pattern and, likely, seasonal changes in 

evapotranspiration. A statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for the Arghandab 

River above Arghandab Reservoir streamgage station is presented in table 10C–3. 

b and 10C–2) using a 

drainage-area-ratio method (Olson and Mack, 2011) based on historical flows at the Arghandab River at 

Mizan (Afghan identification number 4-1.L00-6A) (Williams-Sether, 2008). This streamgage station 

was selected as the most representative historical gage, based on drainage-basin size and location in 

Afghanistan, for use with this method at this location. The estimated mean annual streamflow for point 

S23 (app. 2), with a drainage area of 8,700 km2, is about 38.85 m3/s (cubic meters per second). The 

estimated mean annual streamflow for point S24 (app. 2), with a drainage area of 1,833 km2, is about 

7.47 m3

Table 10C–2. Statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for the streamgage station on the 

Arghandab River at Mizan (Williams-Sether, 2008).

[m3/s, cubic meters per second]

4- 1.L00-6A ARGHANDAB RIVER AT MIZAN

Maximum Minimum Mean

Streamflo Standard Percentage Month Water year of Streamflow Water year of Streamflow Coefficient of

w deviation of annual

occurrence (m3/s) occurrence (m3/s) variation 3 (m3/s) (m /s) streamflow

October 16.3 1980 4.35 1978 10.6 4.39 0.41 2.17

November 24.2 1980 9.86 1978 15.3 5.03 0.33 3.13

December 28.8 1980 12.8 1978 18.3 5.18 0.28 3.73

January 28.9 1980 14.8 1979 21.0 5.17 0.25 4.28

February 57.8 1976 26.2 1978 39.7 11.5 0.29 8.11

March 195 1976 46.0 1977 96.9 48.7 0.50 19.8

April 323 1976 50.0 1977 152 98.9 0.65 31.1

May 182 1976 17.1 1977 70.8 56.4 0.80 14.5

June 47.8 1976 6.18 1978 22.4 16.8 0.75 4.57

July 51.0 1976 4.19 1977 22.7 15.5 0.68 4.63

August 18.4 1976 4.21 1974 12.0 5.91 0.49 2.46

September 14.8 1976 2.67 1977 8.01 4.28 0.53 1.64

Annual 79.2 1976 20.9 1977 41.8 21.3 0.51 100

/s. The seasonal timing of maximum and minimum monthly streamflows at the two estimation 

points, with high flows in the spring and low flows in the fall, probably is similar to that at the 

Arghandab River at Mizan streamgage station. 
846 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Table 10C–3. Statistical summary of monthly and annual mean streamflows for the streamgage station on the 

Arghandab River above Arghandab Reservoir (Williams-Sether, 2008).

[m3/s, cubic meters per second]

4- 1.L00-5A ARGHANDAB RIVER ABOVE ARGHANDAB RESERVOIR

Maximum Minimum Mean

Standard Percentage Month Streamflow Water year of Streamflow Water year of Streamflow Coefficient of deviation of annual (m3/s) occurrence (m3/s) occurrence (m3/s) variation 3 (m /s) streamflow

October 18.7 1966 1.08 1972 11.1 4.10 0.37 2.24

November 41.8 1958 6.87 1972 17.1 6.61 0.39 3.43

December 59.1 1969 7.85 1972 21.4 10.9 0.51 4.30

January 57.3 1958 13.0 1963 23.4 9.39 0.40 4.71

February 82.8 1954 12.7 1963 39.9 18.1 0.45 8.02

March 216 1972 20.5 1963 95.1 57.9 0.61 19.1

April 333 1976 13.7 1971 138 89.4 0.65 27.8

May 230 1965 3.03 1971 81.8 60.6 0.74 16.4

June 90.2 1965 0.505 1971 29.2 22.4 0.77 5.87

July 104 1956 0.001 1971 21.5 21.3 0.99 4.31

August 28.7 1956 0.123 1971 11.0 6.95 0.63 2.21

September 18.2 1957 0.460 1971 8.01 4.39 0.55 1.61

Annual 84.8 1957 8.61 1971 41.6 20.0 0.48 100

10C.2.2 Groundwater

There are no reported wells in the Kundalan copper-gold AOI, but shallow water-supply wells 

probably have been constructed in the valley-bottom sediments in the populated areas. Approximately

110 shallow community groundwater-supply wells have been installed by NGOs within 30 km of the 

AOI in the Tarnak River valley east of the AOI (fig 10C–5a). Information about these wells can be 

found in a database maintained by DACAAR (Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees, 2011). 

Well-depth and static-water-level information is available for most of the wells in this database (figs. 

10C–5a,b). About 90 percent of the supply wells near the AOI are less than 30 m deep and the median 

well depth is 11 m. The depth to water in the supply wells is generally between 5 and 30 m (fig.10C–5a) 

and the median depth to water is 9 m. The depth to water generally increases with distance from the 

Tarnak River (fig.10C–5a

Available well-construction information is limited; however, most wells near the AOI are “tube”

wells (driven wells with polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casing) or dug wells with concrete-ring casing. Wells 

are generally installed in unconsolidated sediments, completed a few meters below the depth at which 

water is first encountered, and equipped with a hand pump. Figure 10C–5b shows the height of static 

water in the casings of the water-supply wells near the AOI (well depth minus static depth to water). The 

median height of static water in well casings is 2 m. In the areas near the AOI, less than 3 m of static 

water is present in most wells (fig.10C–5

).

b

A supply well located about 30 km southeast of the AOI (well 127, fig. 10C–5

). Such shallow wells were found to be vulnerable to seasonal 

water-level fluctuations and becoming dry for extended periods of time, or even permanently in areas of 

the Kabul Basin, where groundwater withdrawals are increasing (Mack and others, 2010). Any new 

groundwater withdrawals in this area must be closely monitored to avoid dewatering existing wells.

a) is known to 

have been drilled to a depth of 457 m (driller’s log, CH2M Hill, written commun., 2010). A lithologic 

log for this well indicates that the well penetrated silt and clay with intervals of gravel that likely consist 

of conglomerate sediments. The well was screened between 170 and 380 m below ground surface and 

had a static depth to water of 12 m. The well yield is about 10 L/s (liters per second) with a drawdown 

of about 18 m below static level. The water is known to be potable, but no additional water-quality 

information was available at the time of the study. 
Chapter 10C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Kundalan Copper and Gold Area of Interest 847

10C.2.3 Lineament Analyses

Lineaments are photolinear features that may result from the presence of underlying zones of 

high-angle bedrock fractures, fracture zones, faults, or bedding-plane weaknesses. Lineament analyses 

of the Kundalan copper-gold porphyry AOI (B.E. Hubbard, T.J. Mack, and A.L. Thompson, 

U.S. Geological Survey August 24, 2011, written commun.) were conducted using DEM and naturalcolor satellite imagery (fig. 10C–6) and Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection 

Radiometry (ASTER) satellite imagery (fig. 10C–7a,b). Lineament identification and analysis have long 

been used as a reconnaissance tool for identifying areas in carbonate bedrock environments where 

groundwater resources are likely to be found (Lattman and Parizek, 1964; Siddiqui and Parizek, 1971). 

Lineament analyses are increasingly used to identify areas of high relative well yields in other bedrock 

settings, including crystalline bedrock (Mabee, 1999; Moore and others, 2002). The lineaments shown

in figure 10C–6 were delineated visually, whereas those in figure 10C–7 were delineated using an 

automated process and on the basis of the multispectral characteristics of the land surface (B.E. 

Hubbard, T.J. Mack, and A.L. Thompson, U.S. Geological Survey August 24, 2011, written commun.). 

Water wells in bedrock aquifers generally are most productive where boreholes are located in areas of 

highly fractured bedrock. Areas where lineament density is high (figs. 10C–6, 10C–7a, 10C–7b

10C.3 Summary and Conclusions

) 

potentially are areas where bedrock fractures are more prevalent than in other areas of the AOI. 

Lineaments provide an indication of areas that warrant further investigation for optimal bedrock waterwell placement. Lineaments may also indicate areas of preferential flow and storage of groundwater, and 

areas with a high density of lineaments may indicate high secondary porosity. Any lineament analyses, 

including those presented in this investigation, need to be corroborated by field investigations and 

additional data to confirm the nature of the lineaments and their relation to water-filled bedrock fracture 

zones. 

Water resources are more likely to be available in the Kundalan copper-gold porphyry area of 

interest (AOI) than in other areas of Afghanistan because of the availability of surface water and the 

potential for groundwater storage in and near the AOI. Water resources in the AOI and surrounding area 

consist mainly of surface water, particularly in the Arghandab River and in two large tributary streams. 

Shallow alluvial aquifers in the valley bottoms of the AOI are a highly utilized groundwater resource.

Most streams are also highly utilized by the local population and represent the primary source of water 

for irrigation. Any new diversion of water from the rivers would need to be closely monitored, 

particularly during low-flow periods, if the quantity and quality of the water resource are to be preserved 

so that surface-water flow remains sufficient to supply water for irrigation and to provide recharge to the 

aquifers that supply groundwater to the shallow wells for domestic consumption. 

There is no reported information about community water-supply wells within the AOI boundary, 

but more than 100 wells are identified in the Tarnak River valley southeast of the AOI. Shallow dug 

wells are probably present in the AOI. Wells in the AOI are generally located in shallow alluvial 

aquifers in the valley bottoms and may have little static water (less than 3 m (meters)). Groundwater 

resources are available in deep basin-fill sediments, which are likely more than 1,000 m thick, in the 

Tarnak River valley southeast of the AOI. This resource could potentially supply water for miningrelated activities; however, no information is available on the quality or sustainability of this resource. 

Some areas of the AOI, as indicated by generalized geohydrologic maps and lineament analyses, are 

likely areas for further exploration for groundwater resources. Close monitoring and careful 

management of potential new surface-water or groundwater withdrawals would help to protect the 

quantity and quality of the existing supply for current local water uses. Field investigations including 

geologic mapping, geophysical surveys, and hydraulic well testing are needed to adequately characterize 

the extent and availability of groundwater resources in the AOI. 
848 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Figure 10C–6. Lineaments and lineament density based on 30-meter digital-elevation-model data and 

natural-color Landsat imagery in the Kundalan copper-gold porphyry area of interest in Afghanistan.
Chapter 10C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Kundalan Copper and Gold Area of Interest 849

a 
850 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

b

Figure 10C–7. (a) Lineaments and lineament density based on 30-meter multispectral Landsat imagery and (b) 

lineaments and lineament density based on 15-meter multispectral Landsat imagery in the Kundalan copper and 

gold area of interest in Afghanistan.

10C.4 References Cited

Abdullah, Sh., and Chmyriov, V.M., eds. in chief, 1977, Geology and mineral resources of Afghanistan, 

book 2: Afghanistan Ministry of Mines and Industries, Afghanistan Geological Survey, reprinted 

2008, British Geological Survey Occasional Publications No. 15, 292 p. 
Afghanistan Information Management Service, 1997, Irrigated areas, 1:250,000 scale: Afghanistan 

Information Management Service Afghanistan Shape Files, accessed October 15, 2010, at 

http://www.aims.org.af/.

Bohannon, R.G., 2005, Topographic map of quadrangle 3266, Ourzgan (519) and Moqur (520) 

quadrangles, Afghanistan: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1116B.

Breckle, S.W., 2007, Flora and vegetation of Afghanistan: Basic and Applied Dryland Research, v. 1, 

no. 2, p 155–194.

Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees, 2011, Update on “National groundwater monitoring 

wells network activities in Afghanistan” from July 2007 to December 2010: Kabul, Afghanistan, 

Danish Committee for Aid to Afghan Refugees (DACAAR), 23 p.

Davis, P.A., 2006, Calibrated Landsat ETM+ mosaics of Afghanistan: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 2006–1345, 18 p., also at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2006/1345/.

Doebrich, J.L., and Wahl, R.L., 2006, Geologic and mineral resource map of Afghanistan:

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006–1038, 1 sheet, scale 1:850,000.

Freeze, R.A., and Cherry, J.A., 1979, Groundwater: Englewood Cliffs, N.J., Prentice-Hall, 604 p.

Lattman, L.H., and Parizek, R.R., 1964, Relationship between fracture traces and the occurrence of 

ground water in carbonate rocks: Journal of Hydrology, v. 2, p. 73–91.

Mabee, S.B., 1999, Factors influencing well productivity in glaciated metamorphic rocks: Groundwater, 

v. 37, no. 1, p. 88–97. 

Mack, T.J., Akbari, M.A., Ashoor, M.H., Chornack, M.P., and others, 2010, Conceptual model of water 

resources in the Kabul Basin, Afghanistan: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 

2009–5262, 240 p.

Ministry of Agriculture, Irrigation, and Livestock and the Afghan Meteorological Authority of Ministry 

of Transport, 2010, The Afghanistan agrometeorological seasonal bulletin 2009–2010, no. 7, 26 p., 

accessed July 6, 2011, at http://afghanistan.cr.usgs.gov/documents.php?cat=1.

Moore, R.B., Schwarz, G.E., Clark, S.F., Jr., Walsh, G.J., and Degnan, J.R., 2002, Factors related to 

well yield in the fractured-bedrock aquifer of New Hampshire: U.S. Geological Survey Professional 

Paper 1660, 51 p., 2 pls.

National Imagery and Mapping Agency, 1995, Vector map (VMAP1): National Imagery and Mapping 

Agency database, available at http://geoengine.nga.mil/geospatial/SW_TOOLS/NIMAMUSE/

webinter/rast_roam.html

Oak Ridge National Laboratory, 2010, LandScan global population database 2009: Oak Ridge National 

Laboratory database, accessed February 1, 2011, at 

.

http://www.ornl.gov/sci/landscan/

Olson, S.A., and Mack, T.J., 2011, Technique for estimation of streamflow statistics in mineral areas of 

interest in Afghanistan: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011–1176, available at 

.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1176/

Peters, S.G., Ludington, S.D., Orris, G.J., Sutphin, D.M., Bliss, J.D., and Rytuba, J.J., eds., and the 

U.S. Geological Survey-Afghanistan Ministry of Mines Joint Mineral Resource Assessment Team, 

2007, Preliminary non-fuel mineral resource assessment of Afghanistan: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 2007–1214, 810 p., 1 CD–ROM. (Also available at 

.

http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2007/1214/.

Ruleman, C.A., Crone, A.J., Machette, M.N., Haller, K.M., and Rukstales, K.S., 2007, Map and 

database of probable and possible Quaternary faults in Afghanistan: U.S. Geological Survey 

Open-File Report 2007–1103, 39 p., 1 pl.

)

Sawyer, D.A., and Stoeser, D.B., 2005, Geologic map of quadrangle 3266, Ourzgan (519) and Moqur 

(520) quadrangles, Afghanistan: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2005-1116A.

Siddiqui, S.H., and Parizek, R.R., 1971, Hydrogeologic factors influencing well yields in folded and 

faulted carbonate rocks in central Pennsylvania: Water Resources Research, v. 7, no. 5, p. 1295–1312.

Williams-Sether, Tara, 2008, Stream-flow characteristics of streams in the Helmand Basin, Afghanistan: 

U.S. Geological Survey Data Series 333, 341 p.