Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the 

Daykundi Area of Interest

By Todd M. Hoefen, Daniel H. Knepper, Jr. and Stuart A. Giles

Abstract

Imaging spectrometer data collected over the Daykundi area of interest (AOI) in central 

Afghanistan were analyzed with spectroscopic methods to identify the occurrence of selected surficial 

material classes. Absorption features in the spectra of HyMap data were compared to a reference library 

of spectra of known materials. The HyMap data for the Daykundi AOI show good correlation to the 

various lithologic units of the region. The calcite, calcite + clays/micas, muscovite and illite classes 

cover most of the AOI. However, spatially contiguous patterns of dolomite, chlorite or epidote, 

montmorillonite, serpentine and kaolinite + muscovite/clay/calcite are mapped throughout the region. In 

the iron-bearing minerals map, the Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2, goethite classes, Fe3+ Type 1, and Fe-hydroxide 

classes dominate the AOI, with smaller groupings of hematite and epidote occurring in several areas.

The muscovite, illite, dolomite, serpentine, and Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 classes are all associated with different 

geologic units in the area. Most of the known mineral occurrences in the AOI are small or lack 

diagnostic spectral features, which makes them difficult to detect with the HyMap data. Therefore, very 

few of the unnamed, unknown or unclassified prospects can be correlated back to classes mapped with 

the HyMap sensor. For the larger prospects, the HyMap mapping results can usually be correlated back 

to the gangue minerals, deposit mineralogy or minerals associated with the host lithology.

5B.1 Introduction

Previous U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) analyses of existing geologic data of Afghanistan 

indicated areas with the potential for a variety of mineral resources (Peters and others, 2007). From these 

areas of interest, several were selected for follow-on studies using modern imaging spectrometer data to 

further characterize surface materials. Imaging spectroscopy is an advanced type of remote sensing also 

known as hyperspectral remote sensing. One such area is the Daykundi area of interest (AOI) in central 

Afghanistan. 

The Daykundi area is approximately 200 kilometers (km) southwest of Kabul (fig. 5B–1), and is 

believed to have the potential for tin and tungsten deposits likely associated with Tertiary felsic intrusive 

rocks, as well as other potential resources (Peters and others, 2007). To help assess these potential 

resources, high resolution imaging spectrometer data were analyzed to detect the presence of selected 

minerals that may be indicative of past mineralization processes. This report contains the results of the 

imaging spectrometer data analyses and identifies numerous sites with the Daykundi area that deserve 

further investigation, especially detailed geological mapping and geochemical studies. 

5B.2 Data Collection and Processing

In 2007, imaging spectrometer data were acquired over most of Afghanistan as part of the USGS 

Oil and Gas Resources Assessment of the Katawaz and Helmand Basins project. These data were 

collected to characterize surface materials in support of assessments of resources (coal, water, minerals, 

oil, and gas) and earthquake hazards in the country (King and others, 2010). Imaging spectrometers 

measure the reflectance of visible and near-infrared light from the Earth’s surface in many narrow 

channels, producing a reflectance spectrum for each image pixel. These reflectance spectra can be 

interpreted to identify absorption features that arise from specific chemical transitions and molecular 
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 315

bonds that provide compositional information about surface materials. Imaging spectrometer data can 

only be used to characterize the surface materials and not subsurface composition or structure. However, 

subsurface processes can be indicated by the distribution of surface materials that can be detected using 

imaging spectroscopy data.

Figure 5B–1. Index map of the Daykundi area of interest, northeastern Afghanistan.

5B.2.1 Collection of Imaging Spectrometer Data

The HyMap imaging spectrometer (Cocks and others, 1998) was flown over Afghanistan from 

August 22 to October 2, 2007 (Kokaly and others, 2008). HyMap has 512 cross-track pixels and covers 

the wavelength range from 0.43 to 2.48 microns (μm) in 128 channels. The imaging spectrometer was 

flown on a WB-57 high-altitude aircraft at 50,000 feet. There were 207 standard data flight lines and 11 

cross-cutting calibration lines collected over Afghanistan for a total of 218 flight lines, covering a 

surface area of 438,012 square kilometers (km2) (Kokaly and others, 2008). Data were received in scaled 

radiance form (calibrated to National Institute of Standards and Technology reference materials). Before 

processing, four channels that had low signal-to-noise ratios and (or) were in wavelength regions 

overlapped by adjacent detectors were removed from the image cubes. Each flight line was 

georeferenced to Landsat base imagery in Universal Transverse Mercator (UTM) projection (Davis, 

2007).
316 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

5B.2.2 Calibration Process

HyMap data were converted from radiance to reflectance using a multi-step calibration process. 

This process removed the influence of the solar irradiance function, atmospheric absorptions and 

residual instrument artifacts, resulting in reflectance spectra that have spectral features that arise from 

the material composition of the surface. Because of the extreme topographic relief and restricted access 

to ground calibration sites, modifications to the standard USGS calibration procedures were required to 

calibrate the 2007 Afghanistan HyMap dataset (Hoefen and others, 2010). In the first step of the 

calibration process, the radiance data were converted to apparent surface reflectance using the radiative 

transfer correction program Atmospheric CORrection Now (ACORN; ImSpec LLC, Palmdale, Calif.).

ACORN was run multiple times for each flight line, using average elevations in 100-meter (m) 

increments, covering the range of minimum to maximum elevation within the flight line. A single 

atmospherically corrected image was assembled from these elevation-incremented ACORN results. This 

was done by determining the elevation of each HyMap pixel and selecting the atmospherically corrected 

pixel from the 100-m increment closest to that elevation. 

Each assembled atmospherically corrected image was further empirically adjusted using groundbased reflectance measurements from a ground calibration site. Five ground-calibration spectra were 

collected in Afghanistan: Kandahar Air Field, Bagram Air Base, and Mazar-e-Sharif Airport, as well as 

soil samples from two fallow fields in Kabul. At each site, the average field spectrum of the ground 

target was used to calculate an empirical correction factor using the pixels of atmospherically corrected 

HyMap data in the flight lines that passed over the site. Subsequently, each of the HyMap flight lines 

was ground-calibrated using the empirical correction from the closest calibration site.

To further improve the data quality, an additional calibration step was taken to address the 

atmospheric differences caused, in part, by the large distances between the calibration sites and the 

survey areas. The large distances were a result of the lack of safe access to ground calibration sites. The 

duration of the airborne survey and variation in time of day during which flight lines were acquired also 

resulted in differences in atmospheric conditions between standard flight lines and lines over ground 

calibration sites, which were used to derive the empirical correction factors. Over the course of data 

collection, the sun angle, atmospheric water vapor, and atmospheric scattering differed for each flight 

line. To compensate for this variation, cross-cutting calibration flight lines over the ground calibration 

areas were acquired (Kokaly and others, 2008) and used to refine the reflectance calculation for standard 

data lines. A multiplier correction for standard data lines, typically oriented as north-south flight lines, 

was derived using the pixels that overlapped the well-calibrated cross-cutting lines, subject to slope, 

vegetation cover, and other restrictions on pixel selection (Hoefen and others, 2010). As a result, the 

localized cross-calibration multiplier, derived from the overlap region, reduced residual atmospheric 

contamination in the imaging spectrometer data that may have been present after the ground calibration 

step.

5B.2.3 Materials Maps and Presentation

After undergoing the above calibration process, the georeferenced and calibrated reflectance data 

were processed. The reflectance spectrum of each pixel of HyMap data was compared to the spectral 

features of reference entries in a spectral library of minerals, vegetation, water, and other materials

(King, Kokaly, and others, 2011; Kokaly and others, 2011). The best spectral matches were determined 

for each pixel and the results were clustered into classes of materials discussed next. 

HyMap reflectance data were processed using MICA (Material Identification and 

Characterization Algorithm), a module of the USGS Processing Routines in IDL (Interactive Data 

Language) for Spectroscopic Measurements (PRISM) software (Kokaly, 2011). The MICA analysis 

compared the reflectance spectrum of each pixel of HyMap data to entries in a reference spectral library 

of minerals, vegetation, water, and other materials. The HyMap data were compared to 97 reference 

spectra of well-characterized mineral and material standards. The resulting maps of material distribution,
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 317

resampled to 23 × 23 m square pixel grid, were mosaicked to create thematic maps of surface mineral

occurrences over the full dataset covering Afghanistan.

The MICA module was applied to HyMap data twice to present the distribution of two categories 

of minerals that are naturally separated in the wavelength regions of their primary absorption features.

MICA was applied using the subset of minerals with absorption features in the visible and near-infrared 

wavelength region, producing a 1-μm map of iron-bearing minerals and other materials (King, Kokaly,

and others, 2011), and again using the subset of minerals with absorption features in the shortwave 

infrared, producing a 2-μm map of carbonates, phyllosilicates, sulfates, altered minerals, and other 

materials. For clarity of presentation, some individual classes in these two maps were bundled by 

combining selected mineral types (for example, all montmorillonites or all kaolinites) and representing 

them with the same color in order to reduce the number of mineral classes. The iron-bearing minerals 

map has 28 classes. Iron-bearing minerals with different mineral compositions but similar broad spectral 

features are difficult to classify as specific mineral species. Thus, generic spectral classes, including 

several minerals with similar absorption features, such as Fe3+ Type 1 and Fe3+ Type 2, are depicted on 

the map. The carbonates, phyllosilicates, sulfates, and altered minerals map has 32 classes. Minerals 

with slightly different compositions but similar spectral features are less easily discriminated, thus, some 

identified classes consist of several minerals with similar spectra, such as the “chlorite or epidote” class.

When comparisons with reference spectra provided no viable match, a designation of “not classified” 

was assigned to a pixel. 

5B.3 Geologic Setting of the Daykundi Area of Interest

The Daykundi AOI is within the Uruzgan and Bamyan provinces in central Afghanistan, and 

covers approximately 6,838 km2

. The contrast-enhanced stretch of the natural-color composite of 

Landsat Thematic Mapper (TM) bands in figure 5B–2 provides a general overview of the Daykundi AOI 

terrain, and is useful for understanding the general characteristics and distribution of surficial material, 

including rocks and soil, unconsolidated sediments, vegetation, and hydrologic features. 

5B.3.1 Topography

Elevations in the Daykundi AOI range from 1,317 to 4,267 m (fig. 5B–3), the lowest of which 

are in the southern and southwestern regions. The highest elevations are in the central and eastern 

sections of the AOI. There are three district population centers within the AOI: Waras in the northeast, 

Khisraw in the central region, and Gizab in the southwest. 

5B.3.2 Lithology and Structure

Rocks in the Daykundi AOI range in age from Proterozoic to Late Quaternary and Recent (fig. 

5B–4; Doebrich and others, 2006; Abdullah and Chymriov, 1977). The stratified rocks range in age from 

Proterozoic to Late Quaternary and Recent, with a majority of the rocks in the southern two-thirds of the 

AOI being Late Proterozoic in age. Rocks along the northern edge of the AOI are mainly Middle 

Proterozoic in age. The southern and southwestern regions have extensive areas of Paleozoic and 

Mesozoic age rocks that are commonly bounded by faults. Cenozoic rocks occur in small units 

throughout the AOI, with one larger unit of Late Quaternary and Recent stratified rock units occurring in 

the southwestern corner (Doebrich and others, 2006; Abdullah and Chymriov, 1977; Peters and others, 

2007). 

Intrusive rocks within the Daykundi AOI range in age from Proterozoic to Late CretaceousPaleocene. The largest intrusive bodies are granitic and granodioritic Oligocene-age rocks that occur in 

the southern half of the AOI. These granitic/granodioritic rocks are expressed in the TM data as a light 

white-colored unit (see fig. 5B–2). A large mass of Miocene nepheline syenite intrudes the Proterozoic 

stratified rocks in the southeastern corner (Peters and others, 2007).

The Daykundi AOI includes the Oruzgan ore district and the Taghawlor pegmatite field. The 

Taghawlor lithium pegmatite field (lat 33°

42'30" to 33°47'00" N, long 66°19'30" to 66°29'00" E) is 
318 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

located in the west-central region of the AOI. The Taghawlor pegmatite field is a linearly elongated,

nearly east-west-trending zone of steeply dipping tabular pegmatite veins with common spodumene 

(Peters and others, 2007). The pegmatite veins forming the field are within the contact zone of a pluton 

composed of biotite granodiorite and granite of the Helmand Complex, primarily in contact with Upper 

Proterozoic quartz-chlorite and quartz-chlorite-biotite schists. More than 200 steeply-dipping 

spodumene pegmatite veins concordant with the country rocks are known within the field. The veins 

vary from 100 to 1,500-m long and from 1 to 20-m wide (Peters and others, 2007). The large field of 

spodumene pegmatites discovered in the Helmand zone and the wide distribution of pegmatites and 

granites in the Helmand complex both indicate that the Helmand-Argandab Uplift is a promising source 

of rare metals (Peters and others, 2007). 

The principal metals in the Oruzgan District are tungsten and tin present in skarn-scheelite, 

quartz-wolframite and quartz-scheelite rock units. The subordinate metals are copper, lead and zinc, 

occurring in a quartz-sulfide, skarn pyrite-chalcopyrite and magnetite-chalcopyrite rock units (Peters and 

others, 2007). Mineralized skarns were formed at the contacts between Oligocene granites and Devonian 

limestones (Peters and others, 2007). 

Figure 5B–2. Contrast-enhanced Landsat Thematic Mapper natural-color image of the Daykundi area of interest. 

Geologic contacts and faults from Doebrich and others (2006) and Abdullah and Chmyriov (1977).
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 319

Figure 5B–3. Elevations and topography of the Daykundi area of interest. 

5B.3.3 Known Mineralization

Figure 5B–5 shows 49 locations where mineralization with a potential for resource development 

may exist within the Daykundi AOI (Doebrich and others, 2006; Peters and others, 2007; Abdullah and 

others, 1977). The characteristics of the mineralized locations are summarized in table 5B–1, including a 

number of unnamed tin, tungsten, and polymetallic prospects. The named mineral occurrences are 

discussed in more detail in this section of the report. Table 5B–2 includes only the named mineral 

occurrences and adds additional information about the HyMap classifications associated with each one.

The Taghawlor deposit (lat 33°46'07"N, long 66°24'58"E) is located in the west-central region of 

the AOI. The deposit extends for 500 to 1,800 m, ranging in thickness from 2 to 20 m. The deposit 

occurs in pegmatites among Proterozoic shales in the exocontact zone of Oligocene granites (Doebrich 

and others, 2006; Abdullah and Chymriov, 1977; Peters and others, 2007). The Kunak pegmatite deposit 

(lat 34°00'00" N, long 66°41'23" E) is located in the north-northwestern region of the AOI. The deposit 

occurs in pegmatites located among Proterozoic shales and gneisses that are 1.5 to 20 m thick and 

extend from ten to hundreds of meters. 

A number of unnamed tin, tungsten and polymetallic prospects are present in the Daykundi AOI 

(Peters and others, 2007; Abdullah and others, 1977: Doebrich and others, 2006). These unnamed 
320 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

prospects are usually very small showings of the prospect and are not discussed herein. The Sheng 

prospect is a tin prospect located near lat 33°44'39"N, long 66°39'45''E. The area of the occurrence 

includes about 300 quartz veins and silicified zones in an intrusion of Oligocene granite. The veins vary 

between 1 and 15 centimeters (cm) in thickness, amounting to 1 m in swells, and between 10 and 100 m 

in length. The zones range from 0.3 to 1.5 m in width and from 30 to 100 m in length. The mineral 

composition of veins is as follows: quartz, pyrite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite, galena, limonite, malachite, 

and azurite, scarcely disseminated cassiterite, and scheelite grains (Peters and others, 2007; Abdullah 

and others, 1977; Doebrich and others, 2006). 

The Eskan polymetallic prospect is located near lat 33°45'00"N, long 66°47'00"E, in a 25-mwide and 300-m-long fault zone within Oligocene granite. The prospect is ochre colored and 

impregnated by quartz stringers (Abdullah and others, 1977; Doebrich and others, 2006). 

Figure 5B–4. Geologic map of the Daykundi area of interest from 1:500,000-scale geologic map of Afghanistan 

(Doebrich and others, 2006; Abdullah and Chmyriov, 1977).

The Daykundi AOI has several known tungsten prospects. The Charkh tungsten prospect is 

located in the central region of the AOI near lat 33°54'10"N, long 66°38'00''E. The prospect contains a 

zone of shattered and ochreous rock, 1 to 2 m in width and more than 100 m in length, and is outlined in 

Oligocene granite and Proterozoic schist (Peters and others, 2007; Abdullah and others, 1977; Doebrich 

and others, 2006). The Salej prospect is in the northwestern region (lat 33°51'30"N, long 66°20'30"E) of 

the AOI. Proterozoic rock inliers have been found in a stock 400 × 1,500 m in size, of altered 

granodiorite of Oligocene age (Peters and others, 2007; Abdullah and others, 1977; Doebrich and others, 

2006). The Nili prospect occurs between lat 33°43'20"N - 33°46'00"N, long 66°07'00"E - 66°12'30"E. 
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 321

Oligocene granite encloses several scheelite-bearing zones of greisens, 18 km2 in area, consisting of 

silicified and muscovitized rocks with scarcely disseminated scheelite, wolframite, and copper sulfides 

(Peters and others, 2007; Abdullah and others, 1977; Doebrich and others, 2006). The Chak prospect is 

located at lat 33°41'40"N, long 66°10'40"E. Two skarn lenses (one 0.1–0.2 to 10 m thick × 150 m long, 

the other 45 m thick × 65 m long) have been found in the contact zone between an intrusion of 

Oligocene granite and Permian marble, forming a roof remnant (Peters and others, 2007; Abdullah and 

others, 1977; Doebrich and others, 2006). The Dariw-Sheng prospect (lat 33°45'17"N, long 66°44'51"E) 

located in the south-central region of the AOI occurs in Oligocene granites in shattered mineralized 

zones with thicknesses of up to 30 m and extending for a few hundred meters (Doebrich and others, 

2006; Abdullah and others, 1977; Peters and others, 2007). The Charh II prospect is located near lat 

33°54'11"N, long 66°38'00"E in Oligocene age granodiorites/granites (Abdullah and others, 1977; 

Doebrich and others, 2006). 

Figure 5B–5. Sites of known mineralization by deposit type (Peters and others, 2007; Doebrich and others, 2006; 

Abdullah and others, 1977) on the geologic map of the Daykundi area of interest from 1:500,000-scale geologic 

map of Afghanistan (Doebrich and others, 2006; Abdullah and Chmyriov, 1977).
322 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Table 5B–1. Sites of known mineralization in the Daykundi area of interest (Doebrich and others, 

2007).

[Cu, copper; Hg, mercury; K, potassium; Mn, manganese; Sn, tin; W, tungsten; Unk, unknown]

2006; Abdullah and others, 1977; Peters and others, 

Name Deposit type Host Alteration Mineralogy Gangue

Kunak

Taghawlor 

deposit

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Eskan

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Gizaw

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Unnamed

Pegmatite

Pegmatite

Pegmatite

Pegmatite

Pegmatite

Pegmatite

Pegmatite

Pegmatite

Polymetallic vein

Polymetallic vein

Polymetallic vein

Polymetallic vein

Skarn zn-pb

Unclassified

Unclassified

Unclassified

Unclassified

Unclassified

Unclassified

Unclassified

Unclassified

Unclassified

Unclassified

Unclassified

Pegmatites among Proterozoic shales and 

gneisses

Pegmatites among Proterozoic shales in 

exocontact zone of Oligocene granites 

massif

Pegmatites among Proterozoic 

metamorphic rocks

Pegmatites among Proterozoic 

metamorphic rocks

Pegmatites among Proterozoic 

metamorphic rocks

Pegmatites among Oligocene granitoids

Pegmatites among Proterozoic 

metamorphic rocks

Proterozoic pegmatites

Oligocene granites

Oligocene granites

Proterozoic silty sandstones

Proterozoic diorites and plagiogranites

Proterozoic marbled limestones

Upper Triassic limestones

Carboniferous - Permian limestones 

forming an Oligocene granitoids massif 

remnant

Oligocene granites

Oligocene granites

Pegmatites among Proterozoic 

metamorphic rocks

Oligocene granites

Oligocene granites

Oligocene granites

Oligocene granites

Oligocene pegmatites and granites in 

Proterozoic metamorphosed rocks

Oligocene granites

No data

Albitization

No data

No data

No data

No data

No data

Silicification; 

tourmalinization

Silicification; limonitization

Silicification

Silicification; hornfels

Quartz-tourmaline alteration

Skarn alteration

Calcite alteration

Silicification

No data

No data

No data

K-feldspar alteration; quartz 

alteration

Quartz alteration; 

limonitization

Silicification

Silicification; limonitization

No data

No data

Muscovite; garnet; cassiterite; 

orthite

Spodumene; columbite-tantalite; 

cassiterite

No data

No data

No data

Sulfides

No data

Cassiterite

Limonite

Fahlore

Sulfides

Sulfides

Sulfides

Iceland spar

No data

Malachite

Malachite

No data

Pyrite

Sulfides; limonite; malachite

Sulfides

Limonite

Sulfides

No data

Quartz; oligoclase

Albite; microcline

No data

No data

No data

No data

No data

Quartz; microcline; 

muscovite; tourmaline

Quartz

Quartz

Quartz

Quartz; tourmaline

No data

No data

Quartz

No data

No data

Muscovite; tourmaline

Quartz

Quartz

Quartz

Quartz

No data

No data
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 323

Name Deposit type Host Alteration Mineralogy Gangue

Unnamed Unclassified Proterozoic schists in contact with 

Oligocene granitoids massif

Hornfels No data No data

Unnamed Unclassified Proterozoic cherty rocks Silicification; limonitization Limonite; malachite Quartz

Unnamed Unclassified Proterozoic granito-gneisses No data No data No data

Unnamed Unclassified Proterozoic schists No data Malachite No data

Unnamed Unclassified Proterozoic granito-gneisses Limonitization; chloritization Limonite Chlorite

Unnamed Unk cu A lamprophire dike in oligocene granites No data Sulfides No data

Waraz Unk cu In the fracture zone which separates 

lower cretaceous ultrabasites from 

terrigenous-carbonate deposits of the 

same age

Carbonatization Malachite; azurite No data

Awlamqul Unk hg Lower cretaceous limestones Recrystallization; calcite 

alteration

Cinnabar; pyrite; hematite; realgar Calcite; siderite; ankerite

Sewak Unk hg Upper jurassic - lower cretaceous 

limestones

Hematitization Cinnabar; hematite No data

Solghoi Unk hg Lower cretaceous pebble conglomerates Recrystallization; bleaching; 

silicification; dickitization

Cinnabar; metacinnabarite; pyrite; 

hematite; chalcopyrite

Quartz; dickite; calcite; 

siderite; ankerite; barite

Unnamed Unk hg Proterozoic metamorphic rocks Carbonatization; dickitization; 

limonitization

Cinnabar Limonite; carbonate

Unnamed Unk mn Cherty-marl rocks among the proterozoic 

formations

No data No data No data

Sheng Vein sn Oligocene granites Quartz alteration; 

silicification; limonitization

Pyrite; chalcopyrite; arsenopyrite; 

galena; limonite; malachite; 

azurite; cassiterite; scheelite

Quartz; muscovite; chlorite

Unnamed Vein sn Oligocene granites Quartz alteration; 

silicification

Cassiterite; sulfides Quartz

Unnamed Vein sn Proterozoic rocks in contact with 

oligocene granites

Silicification Cassiterite Quartz

Unnamed Vein sn No data Quartz-tourmaline alteration Cassiterite Quartz; tourmaline

Chak W skarn A contact of Oligocene granites and 

Permian marbles forming a roof 

remnant

Skarn alteration Scheelite No data

Charkh 

Tungsten

W unclassified Oligocene granites and Proterozoic 

schists

Limonitization No data No data

Salej W unknown Xenoliths of Proterozoic rocks within 

Oligocene granitoids stock

No data No data No data

Unnamed W unknown Lower Triassic limestones No data No data No data

Unnamed W unknown Lower Cretaceous red sandstones No data Sulfides No data

Charh II W vein No data No data No data No data

DariwShengW vein Oligocene granites Silicification; Quartz 

alteration

Pyrite; chalcopyrite; fahlore; 

cassiterite; scheelite; malachite;

Quartz
324 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Name Deposit type Host Alteration Mineralogy Gangue

Nili W vein Oligocene granites Greisen alteration; Quartz Scheelite; wolframite; pyrite; Quartz; muscovite

alteration chalcopyrite; bornite; cassiterite; 

bismuthinite; arsenopyrite

Unnamed W vein Proterozoic metamorphic rocks in contact Quartz alteration Wolframite; quartz Quartz

with Oligocene granitoids

Table 5B–2. Larger sites of known mineralization in the Daykundi area of interest that have names (Doebrich and others, 2006; Abdullah and others, 1977; 

Peters and others, 2007). 

[HyMap classifications are included for the 1- and 2-μm maps as they relate to the immediate area around the known mineral resource. An additional column for each 

classification lists nearby mineral groups that could be associated with each known mineral occurrence. Cu, copper; Hg, mercury; W, tungsten; Unk, unknown]

HyMap HyMap Nearby minerals Nearby minerals Name Deposit type Host lithology Alteration Mineralogy Gangue classification classification (2-μm (1-μm map) (2-μm map) (1-μm map) map) 2+Fe3+ Kunak Pegmatite Pegmatites among No data Muscovite; Quartz; Fe2+Fe3+ Fe Type1, Illite* (major), Calcite+montmorillo

Proterozoic shales garnet; oligoclase Type2 goethite (0.3 muscovite nite, calcite and 

and gneisses cassiterite; (major) km north) (minor) dolomite 

(marble,dolomite) orthite (0.3 km north)

Taghawlor Pegmatite Pegmatites among Albitization Spodumene; Albite; Fe2+Fe3+ muscovite*, illite, 

deposit Proterozoic shales in columbite- microcline Type2 chlorite or 

exocontact zone of tantalite; (major) epidote, calcite 

Oligocene granites cassiterite mix

massif

Eskan Poly-metallic Oligocene granites Silicification; Limonite Quartz Not classified muscovite* and 

vein limonitization calcite + 

muscovite/illite

Waraz Unk Cu In the fracture zone carbonatization Malachite; No data Not classified Goethite (north), Not Classified*, 

which separates azurite Fe2+Fe3+ calcite + 

Lower Cretaceous Type2 and montmorillonite 

Fe3+ ultrabasites from Type1 (near), 

terrigenous- (south) montmorillonite 

carbonate deposits of (near), 

the same age calcite+musc/Illit

e, muscovite, 

calcite

Awlamqul Unk Hg Lower Cretaceous Recrystallization; Cinnabar; Calcite; Not classified Fe2+Fe3+ Type2 Calcite (small Calcite+musc/illite, 

limestones calcite alteration pyrite; siderite; (for a large (major) groupings) muscovite, illite, 

hematite; ankerite area around dolomite, chlorite 

realgar prospect) or epidote

Sewak Unk Hg Upper Jurassic - Lower Hematitization Cinnabar; No data Not classified a few scattered Calcite (major) Calcite + muscovite/

Cretaceous hematite (for a large pixels of illite

limestones area around goethite,Feprospect) hydroxide and 

Fe3+ Type1
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 325

Name Deposit type Host lithology Alteration Mineralogy Gangue

HyMap 

classification 

(1-μm map)

Nearby minerals 

(1-μm map)

HyMap 

classification (2-μm 

map)

Nearby minerals 

(2-μm map)

Solghoi Unk Hg Lower Cretaceous 

pebble conglomerates

Recrystallization; 

bleaching; 

silicification; 

dickitization

Cinnabar; 

metacinnabari

te; pyrite; 

hematite; 

chalcopyrite

Quartz; 

dickite; 

calcite; 

siderite; 

ankerite; 

barite

Goethite Fe-hydroxide 

(bands of 

hematite north 

and south of 

prospect 0.3-

0.5 km away)

Kaolinite + 

Muscovite/clay/c

alcite, 

Montmorillonite, 

muscovite (all 

mixed)

Calcite (0.75 km east 

and west of 

prospect)

Sheng Vein Sn Oligocene granites Quartz alteration; 

silicification; 

limonitization

Pyrite; 

chalcopyrite; 

arsenopyrite; 

galena; 

limonite; 

malachite; 

azurite; 

cassiterite; 

scheelite

Quartz; 

muscovite; 

chlorite

Not classified Fe2+Fe3+ Type2 

with sacttered 

Fe3+

Muscovite (major)

Type1

Calcite + 

muscovite/illite, 

scattered pixels of 

kaolinite + 

muscovite/clay/

calcite

Chak W skarn A contact of Oligocene 

granites and Permian 

marbles forming a 

roof remnant

Skarn alteration Scheelite No data Not classified Fe2+Fe3+ Calcite + 

muscovite/illite

Type2 Muscovite with 

scattered pixels of 

calcite and 

kaolinite + 

muscovite/clay/

calcite

Charkh 

Tungsten

W 

unclassified

Oligocene granites and 

Proterozoic schists

Limonitization No data No data Not classified 

and Fe2+Fe3+

Fe

Type2

3+ Type1 Muscovite Calcite + 

muscovite/illite, 

calcite and 

scattered chlorite 

or epidote

Salej W unknown Xenoliths of 

Proterozoic rocks 

within Oligocene 

granitoids stock

No data No data No data Vegetation*, 

Fe2+Fe3+

small clusters of 

Fe

Type2

3+

Vegetation*, 

muscovite

Type1,goethit

e and Fehydroxide)

Illite, scattered pixels

of calcite and 

calcite + 

muscovite/illite

Charh II W vein No data No data No data No data Fe2+Fe3+ Fe

Type2* and 

not 

classified

3+ Calcite + 

muscovite/illite 

and muscovite

Type1 Illite, calcite and 

scattered chlorite 

or epidote
326 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Name Deposit type Host lithology Alteration Mineralogy Gangue

HyMap 

classification 

(1-μm map)

Nearby minerals 

(1-μm map)

HyMap 

classification (2-μm 

map)

Nearby minerals 

(2-μm map)

Dariw- W vein Oligocene granites Silicification; Pyrite; Quartz Not classified Fe3+ Calcite + 

Sheng quartz alteration chalcopyrite; Type1,goethit montmorillonite, 

fahlore; e, Fe- Calcite + 

cassiterite; 

scheelite; 

hydroxide, 

Fe2+Fe3+

muscovite/illite, 

muscovite and 

malachite; Type2 (west) vegetation

and 

Nili W vein Oligocene granites Greisen alteration; Scheelite; Quartz; Not classified

vegetation 

Fe2+Fe3+ Type2 Muscovite and IlliteCalcite + 

quartz alteration wolframite; 

pyrite; 

muscovite with scattered 

Fe3+ Type1

montmorillonite 

and calcite + 

chalcopyrite; muscovite/illite 

bornite; with scattered 

cassiterite; calcite

bismuthinite; 

arsenopyrite

* Mineral group at the exact pixel location of the known mineral occurrence.
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 327

There are three mercury prospects located within the Daykundi AOI. The Awlamqul prospect 

(lat 33°50'15"N, long 66°02'30"E) is located in the northwestern corner of the Daykundi AOI. The Early 

Cretaceous ore body occurs as mineralized zones within Lower Cretaceous limestones (Abdullah and 

others, 1977: Doebrich and others, 2006). The Sewak prospect (lat 34°14'26"N, long 66°52'44"E) occurs 

in Upper Jurassic – Lower Cretaceous limestones in the northeastern corner of the AOI. The mineralized 

area is in a zone that is approximately 70 × 150 m (Abdullah and others, 1977: Doebrich and others, 

2006). The Solghoi prospect (lat 34°15'56"N, long 66°53'14"E) is located 2.8 km northeast of the Sewak 

prospect in the northeastern region of the AOI. The prospect occurs in a linear ore-bearing shatter zone 

within Lower Cretaceous pebble conglomerates that is approximately 300 × 500 m (Abdullah and 

others, 1977: Doebrich and others, 2006). 

The Waraz prospect (lat 34°13'04"N, long 66°53'04"E) is the only named copper prospect in the 

Daykundi AOI. The prospect occurs in a fracture zone that separates Lower Cretaceous ultrabasites from 

terrigenous-carbonate deposits of the same age (Abdullah and others, 1977: Doebrich and others, 2006). 

In the fracture zone, the prospect occurs in 3 × 10 m lenses within a 300-m area (Abdullah and others, 

1977: Doebrich and others, 2006). 

5B.3.4 Data Limitations

Geographic registration between various datasets is not always possible because of differences in 

data collection methods and resolution. The geographic accuracy and quality of each dataset is limited 

by the original source. Significant efforts were made to ensure the geographic accuracy of the HyMap 

data. However, exact registration between previously published known mineral occurrences, fault traces, 

geologic units and structural boundaries in comparison to the HyMap data may not be ideal.

5B.4 Mineral Maps of the Daykundi Area of Interest

Analysis of the HyMap imaging spectrometer data of the Daykundi AOI using spectroscopic 

methods resulted in the identification of a wide variety of minerals exposed at the surface. Although the 

occurrence of certain minerals may suggest that mineralization processes may have once operated in the 

area, many of the minerals that were identified are also common rock-forming minerals or minerals that 

can be derived from the weathering of a wide variety of rock types. Consequently, knowledge about 

distribution patterns of the identified minerals and the geologic context in which they occur is essential 

for understanding the causes of mapped mineral occurrences and evaluating the possible potential for 

related mineral deposits.

Figures 5B–6a and 5B–7a depict, respectively, the distribution of the carbonates, phyllosilicates,

sulfates, altered minerals, and other materials [2-micrometer (μm) map], and the iron-bearing minerals 

(1-μm map) for the Daykundi AOI. Both maps help identify different lithologies within the dataset, 

show regional trends, spatial relations of the different minerals, and may be used to improve the 

accuracy of future maps. Figures 5B–6b and 5B–7b show the same maps as figures 5B–6a and 5B–7a, 

with the addition of fault lines, geologic contacts, and known mineral occurrences. 

Figures 5B–6a and 5B–6b show the distribution of the carbonates, phyllosilicates, sulfates, 

altered minerals, and other materials for the Daykundi AOI. The muscovite and illite classes dominate 

the AOI, and calcite mixed with clays/micas and the calcite classes also cover large parts of the area.

Smaller contiguous areas of dolomite, chlorite or epidote, montmorillonite, serpentine and kaolinite + 

muscovite/clay/calcite are present throughout the region. 

In the iron-bearing minerals map (figs. 5B–7a and 5B–7b), the Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2, goethite 

classes, Fe3+ Type 1, and Fe-hydroxide classes dominate the AOI. Hematite and epidote are detected in 

smaller groupings in several areas. The Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 class composes a large percentage of the 

mapped pixels in the region. The Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 class is closely associated with the muscovite and 

illite classes in the 2-μm map (see fig. 5B–6a). The Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 class is usually detected within the 

pixels mapped as illite in the 2-μm map and less frequently in the muscovite class. Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 is 

detected in many units in the northeastern region but consistently occurs in Late Proterozoic (early part) 
328 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

and Middle Proterozoic (early part) stratified rock units. In general, only the Precambrian stratified age 

rocks map as Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2, and only minor amounts are detected in Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and 

Cenozoic age rocks. In the intrusive rocks, the Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 class is the dominant iron-bearing 

mineral present, but occurs in much smaller clusters throughout the area. Very few of the other ironbearing minerals are detected in intrusive rocks. Most of the intrusive rocks are mapped as "not 

classified," and lack diagnostic spectral features in the 1-μm wavelength region.

Figure 5B–6a. Map of carbonates, phyllosilicates, sulfates, altered minerals, and other materials derived from 

HyMap data in the Daykundi area of interest. 

The Fe2+ Fe3+ type 1 class was found in only a small fraction of the total area of the Daykundi 

AOI, but those pixels are bound in small coherent clusters; these groupings are associated with the illite 

class in the 2-μm map (fig. 5B–6a). Two examples of where Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 1 is detected in clusters is 

near lat 33°47'30"N, long 66°22'52"E, and lat 33°56'25"N, long 66°33'53"E.

Because of the large number of classes represented and the subtleties of the distribution patterns 

represented in these image maps, it is instructive to display these results as a series of image maps, each 

depicting a selected group of minerals that are mineralogically related or commonly occur together in 

specific geologic environments (figs. 5B–8 through 5B–12). Figure 5B–8 shows the distribution of 

carbonate minerals in the Daykundi AOI, whereas figure 5B–9 shows where clay minerals and micas 

occur. The distribution of iron oxide and hydroxide minerals are displayed in figure 5B–10. Minerals 

commonly found in hydrothermally altered rocks are shown in figure 5B–11 and secondary minerals 

often associated with mineralized and/or weathered rocks are shown in figure 5B–12. 
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 329

Figure 5B–6b. Map of carbonates, phyllosilicates, sulfates, altered minerals, and other materials derived from 

HyMap data with fault lines, geologic boundaries and known mineral occurrences (Doebrich and others, 2006; 

Abdullah and others, 1977; Peters and others, 2007) in the Daykundi area of interest. 

5B.4.1 Carbonate Minerals

Carbonate minerals, either calcite + montmorillonite, calcite + muscovite/illite, dolomite or 

calcite were mapped over a large portion of the Daykundi AOI (fig. 5B–8). Although they are found in 

almost every rock unit, each individual class can be associated with different lithologic units. The calcite 

+ montmorillonite class mainly occurs in Late Proterozoic (early part), Middle Proterozoic (early part),

Middle Proterozoic (middle part) and Upper Aptian stage-Albian stratified rock units, with a smaller 

number of detections in the surrounding units. Contiguous areas of calcite + muscovite/illite are mapped 

within Middle Proterozoic (middle part) and Middle Proterozoic (early part) stratified rock units, and are 

clearly visible within the Oligocene intrusive age rocks (lat 33°

44'26"N, long 66°13'38"E and lat 

33°42'21"N, long 66°43'27"E).

The calcite class is present in almost every geologic unit. Calcite is commonly scattered 

throughout the units, but larger spatially coherent patterns can be seen in several areas near the mapped 

dolomite class minerals. Along the northern border of the AOI, large clusters of calcite form in Upper 

Aptian stage-Albian and Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous stratified rocks. The dolomite class minerals 

dominate all stratified rock units between the ages of Early Permian to Carnian-Norian, with most of the 

pixels in these units mapped as dolomite or dolomite + montmorillonite/calcite. The carbonate (iron 

bearing) class is detected along the contact of stratified and igneous units near lat 33°41'02"N, long 
330 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

66°11'40"E; lat 33°46'51"N, long 66°40'09"E, and near lat 33°31'37"N, long 66°17'56"E. It also is 

detected in clusters near the junction of three faults near lat 33°44'17"N, long 66°37'00"E. 

Figure 5B–7a. Map of iron-bearing minerals and other materials derived from HyMap data in the Daykundi area 

of interest. 

5B.4.2 Clays and Micas

The calcite + montmorillonite and calcite + muscovite/illite mineral classes were removed from 

figure 5B–9 to improve clarity of the image because the calcite + clay/mica classes are detected over 

large regions within the AOI. The color of the illite class was changed to dark brown in this map to 

highlight its occurrence within the different lithologic units. The majority of the muscovite and illite 

classes map within Late Proterozoic (early part) and Middle Proterozoic (early part) stratified rock units 

and Proterozoic, Oligocene and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene intrusive age rocks. Although muscovite 

maps within most of the geologic units in the region, figure 5B–9 shows that the illite class is fairly 

constrained to the Late Proterozoic (early part) stratified rock unit. Early Permian through CarnianNorian age stratified rocks contain little if any muscovite or illite. The muscovite mineral class 

dominates the Middle Proterozoic stratified rock unit and the Proterozoic, Oligocene and Late 

Cretaceous-Paleocene intrusive rocks. Muscovite does occur within Late Proterozoic (early part) age 

rocks, but is not as abundant as illite. The chlorite or epidote class is not mapped as large contiguous 

areas, but instead, as small groupings within a larger area.

Most of the dense groupings are in stratified rock units and occur near the contact with intrusive 

rocks. Two such areas are located at lat 33°32'46"N, long 66°18'42"E, and lat 33°41'39"N, long 

66°13'33"E. Smaller groupings are present in almost all of the geologic units. Most of the kaolinite class 

minerals map in the northern and northeastern region of the Daykundi AOI. Large spatially consistent 

patterns of kaolinite occur in Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous stratified rock units near lat 34°

16'40"N, 
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 331

long 66°54'11"E, and in one of the Oligocene intrusive units near lat 34°03'17"N, long 67°03'35"E.

Kaolinite is mapped within the other Oligocene intrusive rocks, but within these units it is more 

dispersed. Kaolinite is detected in smaller groupings in Middle Proterozoic (early part) and Middle 

Proterozoic (middle part) stratified units and in Proterozoic intrusive rocks. Pixels matching the spectra 

of montmorillonite occur as small non-cohesive units throughout the northeastern region and are present 

in most of the rocks in this area of the AOI. The largest contiguous area of montmorillonite occurs in the 

Miocene intrusive rocks near lat 33°47'59"N, long 67°08'48"E. Here, montmorillonites are detected near 

the center of the intrusion with a dolomite/calcite contact zone around the edge of the intrusive body. In 

the 1-μm map (fig. 5B–7a) , goethite, Fe-hydroxide, Fe3+ Type 1, and a few pixels of epidote form an 

outer ring around the dolomite/calcite contact zone associated with muscovite in the 2-μm map (fig. 5B–

6a). The combination of these minerals suggests that this area has the potential for mineralization.

Figure 5B–7b. Map of iron-bearing minerals and other materials derived from HyMap data with fault lines, 

geologic boundaries, and known mineral occurrences (Doebrich and others, 2006; Abdullah and others, 1977; 

Peters and others, 2007) in the Daykundi area of interest. 

5B.4.3 Iron Oxides and Hydroxides

The Daykundi AOI contains large areas of Fe-hydroxide and goethite (fig. 5B–10). Fe-hydroxide 

minerals are mapped along the edge of the AOI and are commonly associated with goethitic minerals in 

other parts of the Daykundi study area. Goethite is detected throughout the Daykundi AOI, but seems to 

occur in several geologically different areas. The largest contiguous areas of goethite group minerals 

occur adjacent to, or on the contact of, the dolomite units and in the units mapped as muscovite in the 
332 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

2-μm map (fig. 5B–6a) in the southeastern region of the AOI (lat 33°47'59"N, long 67°08'48"E). In the 

northeastern corner, near lat 34°16'25"N, long 66°54'18"E goethite is associated with kaolinite. In 

intrusive rocks near lat 33°

41'52"N, long 66°18'25"E, goethite (along with Fe-hydroxide and Fe3+ Type 

1) is associated with kaolinite and muscovite in the 2-μm map (fig. 5B–6a). A large area of goethite is 

detected near lat 33°58'24"N, long 66°17'31"E and is mapped in rocks of different geologic ages. Two 

anomalous regions, near lat 33°29'20"N, long 66°31'29"E and lat 33°23'19"N, long 66°18'31"E, of 

hematite class minerals occur within the dolomite and calcite mineral classes (from the 2-μm map) in 

Permian and Triassic age stratified units (see King, Johnson, and others, 2011). Smaller clusters of 

hematitic minerals occur in Late Permian and Cretaceous age stratified rocks in the northwestern corner 

and north-central areas of the region. 

Figure 5B–8.

Most of the Fe-hydroxide and Fe3+ Type 1 classes are mapped within or near pixels of goethite.

Many smaller groups of the Fe-hydroxide and Fe3+ Type 1 minerals map in different age rocks in the 

AOI. A large linear grouping of Fe-hydroxide and Fe3+ Type 1 minerals is present within Late-Permianage stratified units in the northwestern part of the AOI. A large anomalous cluster of Fe-hydroxide, Fe3+

Type 1, and goethite pixels is detected in the Oligocene age intrusive rocks near lat 33°

41'52"N, long 

66°18'25"E (see King, Johnson, and others, 2011). Fe-hydroxide and Fe3+ Type 1 also map in large 

coherent clusters within Oligocene and Proterozoic age rocks near lat 34°01'55"N, long 67°04'26"E; and 

lat 34°03'05"N, long 66°39'31"E.

Map of distribution of carbonate minerals derived from HyMap data in the Daykundi area of interest. 
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 333

The epidote class minerals are detected as small dispersed groups and scattered pixels throughout 

the AOI, and spatially coincide with the chlorite or epidote class in the 2-μm map (fig. 5B–6a). 

Most of the pixels in the maghemite class are scattered throughout the AOI, but small clusters 

detected within an area of Oligocene-age intrusive rocks near lat 34°01'02"N, long 66°53'01"E should be 

investigated more thoroughly. The rest of the mineral classes in the Fe-oxide and hydroxide map are 

detected as scattered or single pixel detections throughout the AOI, and show minimal association with 

rocks of specific ages or types. 

Figure 5B–9. Map of distribution of clay and mica minerals derived from HyMap data in the Daykundi area of 

interest. 

5B.4.4 Common Alteration Minerals

Most of the minerals in this group are commonly present in hydrothermally altered rocks 

associated with epithermal mineral deposits (fig. 5B–11). Consequently, the locations of distinct 

clusters are of great interest in terms of potential mineral deposits. The chlorite or epidote class minerals 

are detected throughout the AOI and are associated with rocks of several different ages. In the 

southwestern region, chlorite or epidote group minerals are mapped in stratified units that are in contact 

with intrusive rocks (lat 33°32'46"N, long 66°18'42"E, and lat 33°41'39"N, long 66°13'33"E). Smaller 

groupings are mapped in most the geologic units. Kaolinite group minerals are detected in several units 

of stratified and intrusive rocks. Large spatially consistent patterns of kaolinite occur in Late JurassicEarly Cretaceous stratified rock units near lat 34°

16'40"N, long 66°54'11"E and in one of the Oligocene 

intrusive units near lat 34°

03'17"N, long 67°03'35"E. The carbonate (iron bearing) class is detected along 

the contact of stratified and igneous units near lat 33°41'02"N, long 66°11'40"E; lat 33°46'51"N, long 
334 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

66°40'09"E, and near lat 33°31'37"N, long 66°17'56"E, and in clusters near the junction of three faults at 

lat 33°44'17"N, long 66°37'00"E.

Figure 5B–10. Map of distribution of iron oxide and hydroxide derived from HyMap data in the Daykundi area of 

interest. 

5B.4.5 Common Secondary Minerals

The only mineral class highlighted in figure 5B–12 is the chlorite or epidote mineral class, which

is detected in many areas throughout the AOI. In several areas, the chlorite or epidote mineral class is 

detected along the contact between intrusive and stratified units that contains greenstone or greenschist 

rocks (lat 34°

14'56"N, long 66°54'36"E and lat 34°04'06"N, long 66°56'05"E). The serpentine mineral 

class is detected almost exclusively within the Early Cretaceous intrusive rocks in the northeastern 

region of the AOI. The two largest occurrences are mapped near lat 34°

13'13"N, long 66°56'11"E and lat 

34°

01'13"N, long 66°43'57"E in rocks described as being composed of dunite, peridotite, and serpentinite 

by Doebrich and others (2006) and Abdullah and Chmyriov (1977). The HyMap mapping results 

identified minerals that are consistent with this lithology. The “serpentine or calcite + dolomite” class is 

mapped within several different geologic units, and in most locations, along the edge of the dolomite 

class.

Tremolite or talc detections mostly occur in the northeastern region in many different geologic 

units. Most groupings are very small and scattered throughout the area. The only significantly large 

grouping occurs near lat 34°

03'56"N, long 66°45'30"E.
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 335

Figure 5B–11. Map of distribution of common alteration minerals derived from HyMap data in the Daykundi area 

of interest. 

5B.4.6 Mineral Maps and Known Mineral Occurrences

There are 49 known mineral occurrences listed in table 5B–1, most of which are either unnamed 

or listed as unknown or unclassified deposit types. Usually these mineral occurrences are very small or 

little information is known about them. In table 5B–2, only the larger known mineral occurrences that 

have names have been included. The table includes HyMap classifications of the 1- and 2-μm maps as 

they relate to the immediate area around each known mineral resource, as well as a list of any nearby 

mineral groups that could be associated with the known mineral occurrences. 

Most of the large known mineral occurrences are classified into one of the following three types 

of prospects: pegmatites, unknown mercury, and tungsten. The Kunak prospect (lat 34°

00'00" N, long 

66°41'23" E) and Taghawlor (lat 33°46'07" N, long 66°24'58"E) deposit are the two large pegmatite 

prospects in the Daykundi AOI. The area around the Kunak prospect is dominated by illite and 

muscovite, with relatively few other detections in the 2-μm map (fig. 5B–6a), and Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 in 

the 1-μm map (fig. 5B–7a). Muscovite is listed by Doebrich and others (2006) and Abdullah and 

Chmyriov (1977) as one of the minerals associated with the Kunak prospect, and this is consistent with 

the 2-μm mapping results. The Taghawlor deposit is located within a group of pixels that include 

muscovite, illite, calcite, with a few pixels of chlorite or epidote in the 2-μm map, and Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 

in the 1-μm map. Most of the minerals associated with the Taghawlor deposit as described by Doebrich
336 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

and others (2006) and Abdullah and others (1977) lack diagnostic absorption bands in the 0.43- to 

2.48-μm region, and therefore, the HyMap detections are consistent with the host rock for the area.

The Awlamqul (lat 33°

50'15"N, long 66°02'30"E), Sewak (lat 34°14'26"N, long 66°52'44"E), and 

Solghoi (lat 34°

15'56"N, long 66°53'14"E) prospects are all mercury deposit types. The Awlamqul and 

Sewak prospects are both associated with areas of calcite in the 2-μm map and areas that mapped as "not 

classified" in the 1-μm map (fig. 5B–7a). The host lithologies for these two prospects are listed as 

limestones by Doebrich and others (2006) and Abdullah and Chmyriov (1977), which agrees with the 

mapping results for both areas. The Solghoi prospect is located on the border of Upper Aptian stageAlbian and Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous stratified rock units. Gangue materials are listed as quartz, 

dickite, calcite, siderite, ankerite, and barite (Doebrich and others, 2006; Abdullah and Chmyriov,1977).

HyMap detections for the area near the Solghoi prospect include kaolinite + muscovite/clay/calcite, 

montmorillonite, and muscovite, with a majority of pixels in the immediate vicinity of the location of the 

prospect being kaolinite + muscovite/clay/calcite. In the 1-μm map, the prospect is located on the border 

of pixels matching the spectra of goethite/Fe-hydroxide and a region mapped as not classified. The 2-μm 

map detections of kaolinite + muscovite/clay/calcite near the known prospect location is consistent with 

the listed gangue material of calcite (Doebrich and others, 2006; Abdullah and Chmyriov, 1977).

Figure 5B–12. Map of distribution of common secondary minerals derived from HyMap data in the Daykundi area 

of interest. 

The Daykundi AOI has six known tungsten prospects with names. The Charkh (lat 33°

54'10"N, 

long 66°38'00''E), Nili (lat 33°44'29"E, long 66°09'55"E), Chak (lat 33°41'40"N, long 66°10'40"E) and 

Dariw-Sheng (lat 33°45'17"N, long 66°44'51"E) prospects are all located in Oligocene age granodiorites 

and granites (Abdullah and others, 1977; Doebrich and others, 2006). The Salej (lat 33°

51'30"N, long 
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 337

66°20'30"E) and Charh II (lat 33°54'11"N, long 66°38'00"E) tungsten prospects are located within Late 

Proterozoic (early part) stratified rock units. The Salej prospect is mapped within the vegetation group 

surrounded by pixels of muscovite, illite, calcite + muscovite/illite and calcite in the 2-μm map (fig. 5B–

6a). In the 1-μm map (fig. 5B–7a), the Salej prospect is mapped within the vegetation group surrounded 

by pixels of Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2, goethite classes, Fe3+ Type 1, and Fe-hydroxide. The Charh II prospect is 

located within a region dominated by muscovite, with occasional detections of illite, calcite + 

muscovite/illite, and calcite in the 2-μm map, and Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 in the 1-μm map. Little is known 

about either prospect, but the location of the Charh II prospect is within 0.15 km of an Oligocene-age 

intrusive body, so it may be associated with intrusive rocks. The rest of the tungsten prospects are 

located within an area of muscovite group minerals (muscovite or calcite + muscovite/illite) in the 2-μm 

map, that are consistent with the host granodioritic/granitic rocks. Most spectra of rocks within the 

Oligocene-age intrusive body lack diagnostic features in the 1-μm region, and as a result, most of the 

area around these prospects is in the “not classified” category in the iron-bearing materials map.

The Sheng prospect is a tin prospect located near lat 33°44'39"N, long 66°39'45''E, and the Eskan 

prospect is a polymetallic vein prospect type located near lat 33°45'00"N, long 66°47'00"E. The Sheng 

prospect and many of the other much smaller tin prospects, as well as the Eskan polymetallic vein 

prospect, are located in Oligocene-age intrusive granodiorites and granites that correlate to the 

muscovites class materials in the 2-μm map (fig. 5B–6a) and are not classified group in the 1-μm map 

(fig. 5B–7a).

5B.5 Summary

The HyMap data for the Daykundi area shows several locations, based on the presence of 

specific minerals or groups of minerals, that suggest the need for additional field sampling, geophysical 

and geochemical characterization. The HyMap data were used to identify and delineate the different 

lithologic units and their spatial relations in the Daykundi AOI.

The calcite, calcite + clays/micas, muscovite and illite mineral classes dominate the AOI. Large 

contiguous areas of dolomite, chlorite or epidote, montmorillonite, serpentine and kaolinite + 

muscovite/clay/calcite are mapped throughout the region. Muscovites and illites are widespread in the 

AOI, and the illite class seems to be constrained to the Late Proterozoic (early stage) age rocks. In most 

of the intrusive rocks, with the exception of Early Cretaceous age rocks, illite is absent and muscovite 

dominates the units. The serpentine mineral class is detected almost exclusively within the Early 

Cretaceous age intrusive rocks in the northeastern region with two of the larger concentration located 

near lat 34°13'13"N, long 66°56'11"E, and lat 34°01'13"N, long 66°43'57"E. Near lat 34°01'07"N, long 

66°44'05"E; lat 34°01'03"N, long 66°41'07"E; and lat 34°14'34"N, long 66°55'38"E, the serpentine class 

minerals are associated with the chlorite or epidote class minerals. One of the most interesting features in 

the Daykundi AOI is a well-defined, rounded Miocene-age intrusive body located near lat 33°47'59"N, 

long 67°09'33"E. The central zone of the intrusive body maps as montmorillonite, with scattered pixels 

of calcite + montmorillonite and muscovite toward the margins. At the contact of the Miocene age 

intrusive rocks and the Late Proterozoic (early part) age stratified rocks is a contact zone of dolomite 

and calcite. In the 1-μm map, goethite, Fe-hydroxide, Fe3+ Type 1, and a few pixels of epidote form a 

ring around the outer edge of the dolomite/calcite contact zone, and are associated with muscovites in 

the 2-μm map. Iron-bearing materials are not detected within the Miocene intrusive unit. The presence of 

these material groups within and around the Miocene intrusive body is suggestive of an area of potential 

mineralization worthy of additional field work and characterization.

The dolomite, dolomite + montmorillonite/calcite and calcite classes are detected in Early 

Permian to Carnian-Norian stratified rocks . The dolomites are visible in the southwestern part of the 

AOI and in a narrow linear band in the west-central region. As mentioned above, the dolomite mineral 

class also forms at the contact zone between the Miocene intrusive rocks and Late Proterozoic (early 

part) age stratified rocks in the southeastern corner of the AOI. Iron carbonates commonly map along the 
338 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

contact between the stratified rock units and intrusive rocks near lat 33°41'02"N, long 66°11'40"E; lat 

33°46'51"N, long 66°40'09"E; and lat 33°31'37"N, long 66°17'56"E.

In the iron-bearing map (fig. 5B–7a and fig. 5B–7b), the Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2, goethite classes, Fe3+

Type 1, and Fe-hydroxide classes are the dominant minerals with lesser amounts of hematite and 

epidote. The Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 class is closely associated with the muscovite and illite classes detected in 

the 2-μm map. In general, Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 class minerals are detected extensively in the Precambrian 

stratified age rocks, with minor occurrences in Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic age rocks. In the 

intrusive rocks, there is a lack of detected iron-bearing materials, the most abundant of which is the Fe2+

Fe3+ Type 2 class. Most of the area within the intrusive rocks is mapped as “not classified.” The largest 

contiguous areas of goethite seem to occur adjacent to, or in contact with, the dolomite units in the 2-μm 

map or in the units mapped as muscovite in the southeastern region of the AOI. In other areas, goethite is 

associated with kaolinites (lat 34°

04'22"N, long 66°32'0947"E, and lat 33°39'24"N, 66°19'07"E). Most of 

the Fe-hydroxide and Fe3+ Type 1 classes are associated with goethite and are often detected as mixed 

pixels with goethite or along the contact with goethite throughout the region. The epidote class maps as 

small dispersed groupings and scattered pixels throughout the AOI. The Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 1 class is 

mapped within a small area of the Daykundi AOI, but these pixels are bound in coherent groupings. The 

Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 1 groupings are associated with the illite class in the 2-μm map. Two anomalous regions 

of the hematite class minerals (lat 33°

29'20"N, long 66°31'29"E, and lat 33°23'19"N, 66°18'31"E) occur 

within the dolomite and calcite classes in Permian and Triassic age stratified units (see King, Johnson,

and others, 2011).

Although there are many prospects in the Daykundi area, according to Abdullah and others 

(1977), many of these are small skarns or small prospects that are most likely sub-pixel occurrences.

Many of the associated minerals that occur within these prospects also lack diagnostic absorption 

features in the 0.43- to 2.48-μm region. As a result, most of the HyMap classes do not correlate well 

with any unnamed, unknown, or unclassified mineral occurrence.

Most of the larger known mineral occurrences are pegmatite, mercury, or tungsten type 

prospects. The area around the Kunak pegmatite prospect is mapped as muscovite and illite in the 2-μm 

map and Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 in the 1-μm map. Muscovite is consistent with the mineralogy of the prospect 

as described by Abdullah and others (1977) and Doebrich and others (2006). The Taghawlor deposit is 

mapped within a group of pixels that include muscovite, illite, and calcite, with a few pixels of chlorite 

or epidote in the 2-μm map, and Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 in the 1-μm map, and is more consistent with the host 

rocks then anything described by Abdullah and others (1977) and Doebrich and others (2006) in relation 

to the known mineral occurrence.

The Awlamqul, Sewak, and Solghoi prospects are all mercury prospects. The Awlamqul and

Sewak prospects are both associated with limestone, and this is consistent with the HyMap detections of 

calcite in the area in the 2-μm map and areas that are mapped as "not classified" in the 1-μm map. The

2-μm map detections of kaolinite + muscovite/clay/calcite near the location of the Solghoi known 

mineral occurrence is consistent with the listed gangue material of calcite (Doebrich and others, 2006; 

and Abdullah and Chmyriov, 1977).

The Sheng prospect and many of the other much smaller tin prospects, as well as the Eskan 

polymetallic vein prospect, are located in Oligocene-age intrusive granodiorites and granites that 

correlate to the muscovites class materials in the 2-μm map and the “not classified” group in the 1-μm 

map. The HyMap detections are consistent with minerals typically associated with granitic rocks.

Muscovite or calcite + muscovite/illite are detected at the Charkh, Nili, Chak, and Dariw-Sheng 

tungsten prospects, and all four are located in Oligocene age granodiorites or granites. Again, muscovite 

is a common mineral in granitic rocks, and the result is expected in the HyMap classifications. Little 

historical information is available for the Char II and Salej tungsten prospects. Illite, calcite + 

muscovite/illite and calcite are detected at the Char II prospect in the 2-μm map, and Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2 

are detected in the 1-μm map. At the Salej prospect, muscovite, illite, calcite + muscovite/illite, and 
Chapter 5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Area of Interest 339

calcite are detected in the 2-μm map, and Fe2+ Fe3+ Type 2, goethite classes, Fe3+ Type 1, and Fehydroxide are detected in the 1-μm map.

5B.6 References Cited

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