Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin

Area of Interest

Contribution by Robert D. Tucker, Klaus J. Schulz, and Stephen G. Peters

Abstract

We summarize and interpret results for the Dusar volcanogenic massive sulfide, Shaida porphyry 

copper, and Misgaran tin skarn subareas of interest. These subareas have been surveyed by joint 

geologic and compilation activities conducted between 2009 and 2011 by the U.S. Geological Survey

(USGS), the U.S. Department of Defense Task Force for Business and Stability Operations, and the 

Afghanistan Geological Survey. Accompanying our summary are complementary chapters 6B and 6C

that address the hyperspectral data and geohydrologic assessments, respectively, of the subareas. In 

addition, supporting data for this chapter are available at the Ministry of Mines Data Center in Kabul.

The Dusar subarea includes a volcanic-hosted base-metal mineral occurrence with similar 

characteristics to volcanogenic massive sulfide deposits. In addition to mineralized volcanic rocks, the 

Dusar subarea is known for its many massive gossans highly prospective for arsenic, zinc, and lead. The 

Shaida subarea is a volcanic-hosted copper-lead-zinc mineral occurrence having characteristics similar 

to those of porphyry copper deposits. The subarea was the scene of former mining, and is regarded as 

highly prospective for future development into a small- to medium-sized operation. The Misgaran 

subarea, which was not surveyed extensively by USGS scientists, is assessed from historical accounts to 

be a tin prospect of high potential. Modern geophysical surveys, including low elevation aeromagnetic 

and aeroradiometric flights, are crucial for understanding the economic potential of these subareas.

6A.1 Introduction

The Dusar-Shaida-Misgaran copper and tin area of interest (AOI) is located in west central 

Afghanistan (fig. 6A–1), and contains three subareas: Dusar, Shaida, and Misgaran. Each of these

subareas is characterized by its distinctive mineral association and geologic setting (Abdullah and 

others, 1977; Afghanistan Geological Survey, 2006; Peters and others, 2007). The Dusar subarea, in the 

west, is known for its anomalous concentrations of copper, zinc, and rare gold in siliceous limonitic 

gossans associated with metamorphosed volcanic rocks, and has been interpreted as a possible 

volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit. The Shaida subarea, in the central part of the province, is known 

for its abundant copper and zinc, in massive veinlets and disseminated ore, within altered volcanic strata

intruded by small Oligocene granitoids; it has been interpreted as a copper porphyry deposit. The 

Misgaran subarea, in the east, is noteworthy for its abundant skarn and polymetallic veins enriched in tin 

and lead, and has been interpreted as a tin skarn deposit.

In August 2010, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists led a brief 2-day scoping mission to 

the Dusar, Shaida, and Misgaran subareas. This chapter summarizes the published and unpublished work 

regarding the economic geology of the subareas, as well as a brief summary of new analytical data and 

the potential for future discoveries.

6A.2 Metallogeny

Mineral deposits related to felsic-to-intermediate porphyritic igneous rocks in Afghanistan 

include porphyry copper and associated deposits, such as polymetallic skarns and veins, and goldbearing parts of the same systems. Many igneous-related copper prospects are located in western and 

southern Afghanistan in the Farah Rod, Helmand, Arghandab, Spin Boldak, and Chaigi plutonic belts, 
364 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

northwest of the Chaman fault and south of the Har-i-Rod Fault. Farah Rod is the primary area in 

Afghanistan that contains known mineral occurrences and geologic features considered promising for 

future discovery and exploitation of copper-tin-zinc deposits (United Nations Economic and Social 

Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 1995). 

Figure 6A–1. The principal belts of Tethyan calc-alkaline igneous rocks and the areas permissive for porphyry 

copper and porphyry copper-gold and associated plutonic deposits in Afghanistan (from Peters and others, 2007). 

Dusar-Shaida-Misgaran area of interest is in the western part of the porphyry copper tract (ppycu09) south of Herat 

(see fig. 6A–2). Names of the calc-alkaline igneous belts are indicated in oval: A, Arghandab; C, Chagai; FK, Feroz 

Koh; FR, Farah Rod; H, Helmand; SB, Spin Boldak; SK, Safed Khers; W, Wakhan; WB, West Badakhshan; WH, 

West Hindukush; WN, West Nuristan. Major faults are in squares: CF, Chaman Fault; HF, Helmand Fault; HRF, 

Har-i-Rod Fault; KRF, Kash Rud Fault. Significant ore districts are circled: BB, Band-e-Bayan; K, Kundalan; Z, 

Zarkashan. 

About 200 igneous-related hydrothermal mineral deposits and occurrences in Afghanistan 

contain copper as a major commodity. The majority of these are classified as copper skarn (about 50 

prospects) and polymetallic vein (about 70 prospects) occurrences (Plotnikov and others, 1968; 

Abdullah and others, 1977; Orris and Bliss, 2002; Doebrich and others, 2006; Peters and others, 2007). 

These occurrences and deposits are spatially associated with, and occur in the same geologic 

environments as, porphyry copper deposits (Singer and others, 2005); thus, their presence is direct 

evidence that their environments are permissive for porphyry copper deposits. Furthermore, igneous 

rocks typical of geologic provinces that contain porphyry copper deposits also are common in 

Afghanistan. Most of the prospective porphyry copper prospects are associated with Cretaceous through 
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 365

late Tertiary plutonic rocks that lie within a number of igneous belts that are part of Tethyan magmatic 

arcs. Most younger igneous-related copper prospects, such as Kundalan and Zarkashan, are located in 

southeastern Afghanistan, but other prospects such as Ban-e Bayan, and the prospects of this report are 

present in western and southern Afghanistan (fig. 6A–1; Peters and others, 2007). 

Porphyry copper deposits are an essential source of copper worldwide, and are found in plutonic 

rocks in magmatic arcs in North and South America, Europe, Asia, and the southwestern Pacific Ocean. 

The Tethyan arcs, stretching from the Carpathian Mountains of southern and eastern Europe through 

East Asia, are the setting for numerous important porphyry copper deposits to the west (Sar Chesmeh, 

Iran), south (Reqo Diq, Pakistan), and east (Yulong, Tibet) of Afghanistan. Several of these known 

copper-bearing occurrences, including Dusar and Shaida, are included in the Atlas of Mineral Resources 

of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific region, which presents 

an updated and summarized inventory of the geology and mineral resources of Afghanistan (United 

Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific, 1995). 

6A.3 Geology

The Farah Rod tract, in western Afghanistan (fig. 6A–1), coincides, with the Farah Rod plutonic 

belt of Debon and others (1987). The principal igneous rocks in the Farah Rod plutonic belt range in 

composition from gabbro (basalt) to granite (rhyolite). They constitute a mostly calc-alkaline suite of 

igneous rocks whose ages range from Late Cretaceous to Oligocene.

The Dusar subarea, located in the western part of (fig. 6A–2), includes a potential volcanogenic 

massive sulfide deposit (Peters and others, 2007). The Shaida copper-zinc subarea, located in the 

east-central part of figure 2, includes a number of polymetallic veins and skarns that are best interpreted 

as a porphyry copper deposit of significant size (United Nations Economic and Social Commission for 

Asia and the Pacific, 1995). The Misgaran subarea, located in the eastern part of figure 6A–2, includes a 

polymetallic vein and tin skarn deposit. 

6A.3.1 Dusar Subarea

The Dusar subarea is situated between latitudes 33°30' through 34°00'N. and longitudes 61°0' 

through 61°30'E., approximately 100 kilometers (km) southwest of the city of Herat. The subarea is 

located within the Farah Rod belt of Cretaceous to Oligocene calc-alkaline igneous rocks which, in 

general, is characterized by polymetallic veins and copper skarn occurrences. In the Dusar subarea, 

however, copper mineralization is hosted within stratified volcanic and sedimentary rocks of Late 

Jurassic to Early Cretaceous age (figs. 6A–3 and 6A–4). Associated with these are extensive gossans, 

and many stocks and small intrusive bodies of diorite and gabbro of presumed Early Cretaceous age (fig. 

6A–4). The sedimentary strata intercalated with the volcanic rocks include shale and siltstone, with thin 

horizons of conglomerate, limestone, and chert. The volcanic rocks are dominated by mafic varieties 

(basalt), lesser felsic varieties (rhyolite), and very few rocks of intermediate composition 

(dacite-andesite). Because the volcanic section is generally poor in igneous rocks of felsic and 

intermediate composition, and is interlayered with shallow-marine sedimentary rocks, the Dusar subarea 

has been modeled as a potential volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit (Peters and others, 2007). The 

mineralized rocks, and the gossans, are unconformably overlain by unconsolidated gravels and sands of 

Miocene-Pliocene age. Thus, the copper mineralization must be Paleogene or older, and perhaps related 

to the igneous rocks of Early Cretaceous age. The gossans are noteworthy for their anomalously high 

concentrations of copper, arsenic, zinc, and lead (table 6A–1).

6A.3.2 Shaida Subarea

The Shaida subarea is located between latitudes 33°40' through 33°50' N. and longitudes 61°40' 

through 61°50' E., and is approximately 50 km southwest of Herat (fig. 6A–2). Like the Dusar subarea, 

the Shaida subarea is located within the Farah Rod tract of Cretaceous to Oligocene plutonic igneous 

rocks. 
366 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Stratified rocks of the Shaida district include three different sequences of very different age and 

lithology (fig. 6A–5). The oldest sequence, of Permian-Carboniferous age, consists entirely of massive, 

thin-bedded, weakly metamorphosed white limestone. The next younger sequence, of Early Cretaceous 

to Paleogene age, consists of subgreenschist to greenschist facies metamorphic rocks including 

chlorite-sericite, phyllite, and schistose porphyroids of volcanic origin (rhyolite and dacite-andesite). 

Copper mineralization is widespread in these rocks, and it occurs in strongly silicified and limonitic 

zones up to 100 meters (m) long and 300 m thick. The mineralized zones contain quartz veinlets, with 

secondary copper minerals and disseminated chalcopyrite, that grade 0.01 to 0.03 weight percent (wt. %) 

copper, and up to 0.7 wt. % lead (table 6A–2). These zones also contain anomalous concentrations of 

zinc, molybdenum, lead, and arsenic. 

Figure 6A–2. Map showing the location of geologic maps (shown herein) and subareas within the permissive 

tract of porphyry copper deposits of western Afghanistan. Permissive tracts of copper mineralization are shown in 

yellow; the permissive tract for the Misgaran tin deposit is not shown; it is indicated only by a label. The outline of 

figures 6A–3 and 6A–5 are indicated by the white boxes. Figure 1 shows the location of this map in Afghanistan.

(Shaded DEM and tracts from Peters and others, 2007.) 
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 367

Figure 6A–3. Geology of the Dusar and Namak-sory sites after Tarasenko and others (1973). The prospective

volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) deposits are situated within uppermost Jurassic(?) to Lower Cretaceous 

low-grade metasedimentary rocks (shale siltstone, chert, and limestone), including mafic and felsic volcanic strata, 

intruded by diorite, gabbro, and granodiorite of presumed Early Cretaceous age. Both the Dusar and Namak-sory 

sites are noted for their prominent “iron caps” of brecciated limonitic gossan, shown in black, that follow prominent 

north- and northwest-striking fault zones. The gossans and the underlying Lower Cretaceous rocks are overlain 

unconformably by unconsolidated sand and gravel of Neogene to Recent age.
368 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Figure 6A–4. (a) Aerial view of the Dusar gossan looking north, (b) Aerial view of the Soviet trenches into the 

Dusar gossan looking north, (c) Metabasalt and metachert at the Namak-sory locality, volcanosedimentary rocks, 

(d) Metaquartz keratophyre (metarhyolite) at the Dusar locality, (e) View looking north of the Dusar “iron cap” 

(gossan), (f) Close-up of the brecciated and quartz-veined Dusar gossan. Photograph by Robert D. Tucker, 

U.S. Geological Survey.
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 369

Table 6A–1. Major-, trace-, and rare earth element concentration data for

[%, percent; ppm, parts per million] 

whole-rock samples from the Dusar subarea.

Mineral Unit RT–10–D1–1A RT–10–D1–1B RT–10–D1–1C RT–10–D1–02 RT–10–D1–03 RT–10–D2–01 RT–10–D2–02 AC–10–D1–01 AC–10–D1–02 1 SiO2 % 56.67 13.04 41.84 11.32 78.95 62.73 75.59 57.53 39.76

Al2O3 % 11.26 1.21 2.65 1.76 10.25 8.04 12.03 10.40 2.72

Fe2O3 % 7.71 83.88 49.00 85.19 2.78 5.91 3.27 8.10 50.92

MgO % 5.50 0.27 0.35 0.30 0.50 3.49 1.23 4.53 0.34

CaO % 13.81 1.28 4.35 0.58 0.97 18.88 0.33 13.88 3.88

Na2O % 3.29 0.06 0.93 0.27 4.02 0.10 7.23 4.49 1.22

K2O % 0.59 0.03 0.63 0.13 2.08 0.02 0.11 0.12 0.89

TiO2 % 0.81 0.14 0.03 0.36 0.28 0.44 0.14 0.66 0.03

P2O5 % 0.13 0.03 0.17 0.05 0.08 0.12 0.03 0.13 0.20

MnO % 0.23 0.05 0.04 0.04 0.09 0.26 0.03 0.15 0.05

As ppm <1.5 <1.5 90.00 <1.5 <1.5 <1.5 <1.5 <1.5 282.00

Ba ppm 112.30 150.80 190.20 139.00 514.40 28.40 50.20 35.50 220.40

Be ppm 0.50 0.10 0.10 0.10 0.90 0.70 1.00 0.30 <0.05

Bi ppm 0.10 <0.01 0.10 0.00 0.30 0.50 0.40 <0.01 0.30

Cd ppm 2.40 3.80 1.10 1.00 <0.2 0.30 <0.2 0.30 1.00

Co ppm 27.60 22.70 7.60 9.80 6.00 10.40 2.50 30.30 10.40

Cr ppm 151.30 61.80 33.20 87.60 11.80 137.00 6.50 160.30 36.20

Cu ppm 61.00 336.00 117.00 183.00 17.00 11.00 7.00 39.00 126.00

Ga ppm 11.10 7.20 32.40 8.40 10.50 9.00 12.10 10.10 35.70

Ge ppm 0.90 1.00 0.60 1.70 0.90 1.50 0.60 0.60 0.50

Li ppm 12.40 3.40 7.00 2.40 7.30 3.60 3.90 10.80 7.60

Mo ppm 0.30 73.50 56.80 11.10 2.00 0.40 3.10 0.30 48.70

Nb ppm 2.52 0.37 2.46 2.38 10.77 1.82 7.27 2.21 0.35

Ni ppm 53.20 6.70 4.20 16.20 5.80 37.60 3.70 65.80 4.70

Pb ppm 6.00 44.70 16.50 31.40 15.50 13.30 3.00 4.40 18.10

S ppm 85.10 1,388.80 18,046.50 1,457.40 148.10 96.20 151.00 108.80 27,315.50

Rb ppm 14.10 1.50 4.50 2.80 51.90 1.60 1.70 2.20 5.50

Sb ppm 0.75 0.02 0.47 0.63 0.85 1.25 0.34 1.15 0.24

Sc ppm 23.90 2.20 2.50 5.90 6.70 16.50 8.90 20.60 2.40

Sn ppm 0.70 0.40 0.40 0.60 1.70 0.50 0.90 0.50 0.30

Sr ppm 138.50 191.10 339.60 89.70 48.40 439.30 55.40 93.10 472.90

Ta ppm 0.34 0.04 0.01 0.14 1.19 0.11 0.56 0.14 <0.01

Th ppm 0.60 1.50 1.10 2.80 11.00 0.50 4.30 0.50 1.10

Tl ppm 0.30 1.00 2.00 0.50 0.30 <0.1 <0.1 <0.1 2.80

U ppm 0.50 23.60 16.00 19.20 2.60 0.30 1.40 0.20 14.10

V ppm 208.60 153.70 36.50 190.30 21.70 140.20 9.80 202.00 30.80

W ppm <1 <1 <1 <1 1.40 <1 1.20 <1 <1

Y ppm 26.95 2.10 1.66 3.94 23.87 11.48 33.47 19.87 1.26

Zn ppm 307.10 1,134.40 1,287.90 1,306.70 30.70 60.50 64.20 85.10 1,068.10

Zr ppm 45.87 14.16 5.97 34.33 165.65 31.46 174.23 47.33 6.67

Hf ppm 1.58 0.38 0.27 1.28 5.27 1.05 5.78 1.54 0.18
370 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Mineral Unit RT–10–D1–1A RT–10–D1–1B RT–10–D1–1C RT–10–D1–02 RT–10–D1–03 RT–10–D2–01 RT–10–D2–02 AC–10–D1–01 AC–10–D1–02

La ppm 7.34 3.02 3.24 1.95 26.10 5.16 8.03 5.32 3.34

Ce ppm 14.22 4.54 1.96 2.95 48.61 8.83 11.31 11.03 1.48

Pr ppm 2.09 0.50 0.38 0.43 5.47 1.26 2.83 1.84 0.30

Nd ppm 10.52 1.99 1.46 2.01 21.87 6.24 13.18 8.87 1.68

Sm ppm 3.13 0.45 0.34 0.56 4.22 1.65 3.60 2.43 0.27

Eu ppm 1.34 0.07 0.11 0.14 0.76 0.62 0.89 0.94 0.05

Gd ppm 3.59 0.47 0.47 0.69 4.13 1.53 4.23 2.97 0.51

Tb ppm 0.72 <0.1 <0.1 0.13 0.75 0.31 0.89 0.51 <0.1

Dy ppm 4.87 0.42 0.33 0.95 4.79 2.00 6.68 3.51 0.23

Ho ppm 0.93 0.08 0.07 0.18 0.89 0.43 1.34 0.68 0.04

Er ppm 2.78 0.21 0.20 0.58 2.80 1.31 4.32 2.31 0.17

Tm ppm 0.40 <0.04 <0.04 0.09 0.39 0.18 0.65 0.40 <0.04

Yb ppm 2.57 0.15 0.11 0.70 2.81 1.20 4.84 1.95 <0.1

Lu ppm 0.36 <0.04 <0.04 0.11 0.44 0.18 0.84 0.29 <0.04

1

SiO2 is calculated as = 100 – (Al2O3+Fe2O3+MgO+CaO+Na2O+K2O+TiO2+P2O5+MnO)

Table 6A–2. Major-, trace-, and rare earth element concentration data for whole-rock samples from the Shaida subarea.

[%, percent; ppm, parts per million] 

Mineral Units FH–10–SD–01FH–10–SD–02FH–10–SD–03FH–10–SD–4/5FH–10–SD–06FH–10–SD–07FH–10–SD–08 FH–10–SD–09 FH–10–SD–10 FH–10–S4–01 FH–10–S4–02

SiO2* % 79.69 79.07 32.58 81.04 71.76 66.58 72.23 83.70 92.75 67.34 65.41

Al2O3 % 10.67 10.39 3.31 9.66 8.30 21.95 0.46 11.10 2.99 16.42 10.87

Fe2O3 % 6.66 3.32 62.41 2.63 14.27 1.22 9.88 2.05 3.29 7.73 22.63

MgO % 0.61 2.31 0.51 1.16 2.51 0.14 0.16 0.51 0.16 2.99 0.12

CaO % 0.14 0.54 0.39 0.32 1.00 5.79 16.94 0.38 0.17 0.57 0.32

Na2O % 0.09 2.78 0.32 4.56 0.15 1.10 0.08 0.10 0.07 0.15 0.07

K2O % 1.99 1.34 0.23 0.42 1.80 2.62 0.11 1.96 0.51 3.82 0.14

TiO2 % 0.11 0.19 0.03 0.16 0.12 0.46 0.09 0.13 0.03 0.69 0.26

P2O5 % 0.02 0.03 0.13 0.02 0.05 0.13 0.04 0.03 0.01 0.26 0.09

MnO % 0.01 0.04 0.09 0.02 0.03 0.00 0.01 0.04 0.02 0.04 0.09

As ppm 1,724.00 230.00 313.00 245.00 61.00 646.00 699.00 629.00 369.00 70.00 106.00

Ba ppm 806.50 347.00 146.10 111.70 496.30 135.70 222.50 373.30 185.80 484.70 71.10

Be ppm 1.40 1.20 6.60 0.80 1.20 1.00 0.10 0.90 0.40 1.90 1.30

Bi ppm 4.20 0.30 0.10 <0.01 1.20 41.40 25.70 61.80 0.20 0.30 0.80

Cd ppm 3.20 2.30 47.40 1.40 12.70 0.50 19.20 1.40 1.20 <0.2 0.50

Co ppm 7.30 5.70 69.30 3.70 15.50 1.60 2.50 15.00 10.40 16.00 49.10

Cr ppm 5.60 8.00 3.70 7.10 6.50 20.30 8.00 9.60 611.30 182.10 85.30

Cu ppm 173.00 615.00 5,845.00 425.00 18,985.50 325.00 139.00 40,847.60 24,912.80 30.00 81.00

Ga ppm 16.30 14.90 2.30 10.60 13.50 15.20 2.20 15.80 5.80 21.50 10.40

Ge ppm 1.20 0.80 0.90 0.60 1.00 0.60 0.90 0.80 0.70 1.30 1.10

Li ppm 19.60 55.10 9.60 23.00 43.70 33.50 3.30 25.10 6.10 84.40 115.40

Mo ppm 27.00 1.60 61.30 1.70 16.50 33.40 28.20 27.00 7.40 2.10 8.00

Nb ppm 12.18 8.75 1.84 6.76 9.59 6.70 8.13 11.03 1.33 15.57 5.43

Ni ppm 4.00 7.10 14.50 4.70 5.00 4.60 5.40 5.20 10.00 53.80 5.40
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 371

Mineral Units FH–10–SD–01FH–10–SD–02FH–10–SD–03FH–10–SD–4/5FH–10–SD–06FH–10–SD–07FH–10–SD–08 FH–10–SD–09 FH–10–SD–10 FH–10–S4–01 FH–10–S4–02

Pb ppm 138.00 30.20 37.50 81.70 222.80 1,341.00 1,169.00 1,639.00 6.70 4.30 7.10

S ppm 218.00 168.00 651.60 139.70 350.40 79,056.90 1,175.80 447.80 237.20 124.50 344.70

Rb ppm 60.50 46.60 7.60 15.00 47.00 63.20 3.00 65.30 18.00 113.50 6.70

Sb ppm 4.46 1.14 4.75 0.91 2.01 8.38 17.03 6.94 1.33 0.50 1.53

Sc ppm 6.60 15.30 2.50 6.60 7.30 18.20 1.40 5.90 3.40 17.00 12.50

Sn ppm 4.10 2.20 0.50 1.80 3.70 7.00 4.60 18.90 1.20 3.00 1.70

Sr ppm 128.80 114.60 87.40 117.90 167.50 989.40 182.70 156.80 47.50 57.70 496.70

Ta ppm 0.94 0.72 0.08 0.40 0.55 0.61 0.16 0.57 0.13 1.07 0.33

Th ppm 11.20 5.60 1.30 4.60 9.00 8.20 3.40 10.30 1.60 15.30 2.80

Tl ppm 1.60 0.90 2.10 0.70 1.30 0.40 0.30 5.80 0.20 0.70 <0.1

U ppm 8.20 1.40 53.90 2.10 56.60 5.70 2.50 66.40 24.40 3.60 6.10

V ppm 15.60 5.30 15.50 9.00 12.60 98.90 10.90 17.60 37.50 192.20 33.20

W ppm 1.70 1.00 2.80 1.00 2.20 5.70 1.60 2.00 <1 3.80 3.60

Y ppm 27.25 43.35 36.55 23.66 29.43 8.06 17.41 35.60 3.89 29.00 24.69

Zn ppm 938.20 1,772.70 17,890.10 1,647.30 1,630.00 100.10 392.60 148.50 74.50 233.00 1,234.80

Zr ppm 155.07 160.86 28.51 120.82 140.98 129.27 147.76 150.94 67.46 206.35 82.83

Hf ppm 5.37 5.35 1.01 4.14 4.48 3.86 4.90 4.71 1.10 6.41 2.62

La ppm 23.79 27.47 10.45 13.64 23.29 25.00 10.47 27.05 5.19 31.57 16.30

Ce ppm 46.22 51.20 26.38 24.42 44.11 52.98 18.61 49.20 10.69 64.61 27.83

Pr ppm 5.09 6.36 4.62 3.21 5.70 6.45 2.16 6.68 1.24 7.58 3.48

Nd ppm 20.02 28.32 25.46 13.82 23.58 25.73 8.64 30.85 5.34 29.90 15.02

Sm ppm 4.20 6.80 8.42 3.44 5.70 4.36 1.99 7.02 1.31 6.11 3.59

Eu ppm 0.65 1.82 2.07 0.64 0.75 0.58 0.36 0.95 0.17 1.41 0.51

Gd ppm 4.34 6.56 8.61 3.50 4.99 2.75 2.08 6.56 1.11 5.54 3.56

Tb ppm 0.78 1.26 1.52 0.63 0.88 0.36 0.39 1.09 0.16 0.89 0.61

Dy ppm 5.38 8.90 9.15 4.68 6.10 1.78 2.85 6.82 1.03 5.69 4.21

Ho ppm 1.12 1.67 1.59 0.93 1.19 0.36 0.59 1.25 0.18 1.09 0.85

Er ppm 3.60 5.17 4.61 3.07 3.72 1.06 2.23 3.82 0.61 3.56 2.63

Tm ppm 0.57 0.77 0.60 0.45 0.55 0.16 0.35 0.52 0.09 0.49 0.35

Yb ppm 3.77 5.51 4.04 3.42 3.74 1.08 2.93 3.58 0.76 3.47 2.54

Lu ppm 0.57 0.83 0.55 0.51 0.54 0.19 0.47 0.54 0.11 0.53 0.40

*

SiO2 is calculated as 100 - (Al2O3+Fe2O3+MgO+CaO+Na2O+K2O+TiO2+P2O5+MnO). 

Table 6A–2. Major-, trace-, and rare earth element concentration data for whole-rock samples from the Shaida subarea.—Continued

[%, percent; ppm, parts per million] 

Mineral Units FH–10–S4–03 FH–10–S4–04 FH–10–S4–05 FH–10–S1–01 FH–10–S1–02 RT–10–SD–1A RT–10–SD–1B RT–10–SD–1C RT–10–SD–1DRT–10–SD–1ERT–10–SD–1F

SiO2* % 91.98 80.36 85.91 79.26 80.63 80.75 80.39 79.59 78.63 17.09 98.23

Al2O3 % 2.01 11.47 1.14 9.47 9.64 10.61 9.98 10.53 11.77 0.72 0.13

Fe2O3 % 5.46 4.07 10.19 5.51 5.43 4.14 4.41 4.39 1.86 78.72 1.42

MgO % 0.06 0.51 0.10 1.06 0.16 0.15 0.16 1.60 0.25 0.18 0.08

CaO % 0.26 0.67 2.19 0.27 0.13 0.35 0.22 0.22 0.96 3.14 0.05

Na2O % 0.06 0.10 0.06 0.72 0.18 0.21 0.22 0.92 3.73 0.08 0.05

K2O % 0.07 2.57 0.08 3.41 3.64 3.51 4.29 2.55 2.39 0.03 0.01
372 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Mineral Units FH–10–S4–03 FH–10–S4–04 FH–10–S4–05 FH–10–S1–01 FH–10–S1–02 RT–10–SD–1A RT–10–SD–1B RT–10–SD–1C RT–10–SD–1DRT–10–SD–1ERT–10–SD–1F

TiO2 % 0.06 0.17 0.02 0.18 0.13 0.20 0.24 0.14 0.33 0.01 0.01

P2O5 % 0.02 0.05 0.02 0.05 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.03 0.07 0.03 0.01

MnO % 0.02 0.02 0.28 0.09 0.02 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.01 0.01

As ppm 36.00 <1.5 145.00 85.00 224.00 <1.5 <1.5 <1.5 <1.5 1,423.00 157.00

Ba ppm 41.90 281.00 202.30 535.10 815.60 775.90 619.80 1,211.90 311.80 4,897.10 28.30

Be ppm 0.40 1.50 0.80 0.80 1.00 1.30 1.30 1.10 2.80 0.10 <0.05

Bi ppm 0.20 0.10 0.20 46.60 30.00 0.10 0.10 0.90 0.00 10.50 0.30

Cd ppm <0.2 <0.2 0.60 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 0.20 <0.2 2.70 0.10

Co ppm 9.20 7.70 31.00 33.00 26.80 2.30 2.20 6.80 4.60 2.40 6.50

Cr ppm 790.60 295.80 595.00 236.20 494.00 239.20 226.80 198.80 285.20 77.30 645.80

Cu ppm 17.00 36.00 243.00 37,296.70 3,306.00 21,780.90 22,948.90 39.00 46.00 2,196.00 28.00

Ga ppm 2.20 14.20 1.80 9.50 12.50 11.90 11.20 13.80 15.10 8.60 0.20

Ge ppm 0.70 1.00 0.60 0.50 1.00 1.30 1.40 0.80 1.20 1.60 0.60

Li ppm 40.60 35.60 13.50 33.90 27.90 73.90 74.30 50.80 38.40 12.80 1.50

Mo ppm 2.20 2.40 15.60 1.10 5.20 5.20 5.70 3.90 1.80 115.60 1.60

Nb ppm 1.58 3.21 0.54 4.01 7.02 8.75 9.86 10.36 10.88 0.46 0.65

Ni ppm 8.50 4.80 9.00 4.30 7.80 4.70 4.80 3.20 4.80 3.40 8.00

Pb ppm 3.20 2.70 2.60 66.50 20.60 11.50 12.90 15.60 25.60 1,858.00 3.80

S ppm 234.00 156.00 321.70 188.10 185.50 465.90 1,000.20 239.80 128.20 3,162.60 177.50

Rb ppm 4.10 95.00 4.00 124.70 130.10 109.20 139.90 68.00 86.00 1.30 1.50

Sb ppm 1.33 1.72 8.17 0.41 0.79 0.89 1.01 0.89 0.92 4.17 0.56

Sc ppm 2.70 7.40 1.40 9.10 3.50 4.20 4.90 12.60 4.30 0.30 <0.1

Sn ppm 0.50 1.20 0.50 1.20 1.50 3.20 3.60 1.20 4.20 22.50 0.30

Sr ppm 38.00 54.30 615.00 56.20 56.40 172.60 164.30 228.90 97.40 356.90 5.80

Ta ppm 0.05 0.44 0.03 0.23 0.89 0.52 0.57 0.47 1.20 0.01 <0.01

Th ppm 0.60 4.60 0.70 2.10 22.10 11.40 11.50 5.40 26.20 1.20 0.10

Tl ppm <0.1 0.70 0.80 1.40 2.00 1.10 1.10 0.70 1.10 <0.1 <0.1

U ppm 0.90 2.10 4.10 26.90 22.30 45.20 43.20 2.60 3.50 26.70 0.40

V ppm 12.30 35.10 34.90 34.50 22.00 64.70 51.90 3.50 26.70 225.20 9.50

W ppm <1 2.60 <1 2.00 2.00 6.10 7.60 1.40 1.70 2.80 <1

Y ppm 5.03 8.83 15.65 19.52 22.82 136.80 186.26 49.17 40.93 1.18 0.71

Zn ppm 375.30 135.40 497.70 60.30 31.70 95.40 104.90 61.20 122.70 925.80 13.10

Zr ppm 19.37 81.78 14.75 78.39 117.71 248.12 264.50 174.64 264.38 9.40 6.82

Hf ppm 0.56 2.77 0.45 3.02 4.38 6.30 7.32 5.55 8.23 0.34 0.11

La ppm 5.98 4.94 10.17 13.94 29.73 17.00 22.22 23.46 36.04 1.68 1.61

Ce ppm 10.29 8.87 16.51 30.34 60.97 35.45 46.04 45.64 67.39 1.35 2.33

Pr ppm 1.18 1.02 1.81 3.62 6.73 4.71 6.37 5.58 7.59 0.23 0.28

Nd ppm 5.28 4.20 8.10 15.71 26.04 26.88 37.77 24.41 28.30 0.99 1.13

Sm ppm 1.17 0.95 1.97 3.60 5.15 14.55 19.91 6.01 5.39 0.22 <0.2

Eu ppm 0.14 0.23 0.25 0.85 0.68 2.27 3.02 1.46 0.64 1.71 0.01

Gd ppm 1.11 1.10 2.49 3.31 4.45 19.55 25.75 6.49 5.18 0.28 0.28

Tb ppm 0.16 0.19 0.40 0.60 0.71 4.04 5.51 1.25 0.88 <0.1 <0.1

Dy ppm 0.93 1.46 2.67 3.99 4.72 27.48 38.26 8.84 5.75 0.22 0.15

Ho ppm 0.22 0.30 0.50 0.75 0.85 5.07 7.05 1.79 1.13 0.04 0.02
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 373

Mineral Units FH–10–S4–03 FH–10–S4–04 FH–10–S4–05 FH–10–S1–01 FH–10–S1–02 RT–10–SD–1A RT–10–SD–1B RT–10–SD–1C RT–10–SD–1DRT–10–SD–1ERT–10–SD–1F

Er ppm 0.49 1.12 1.27 2.66 2.91 15.46 21.11 5.76 3.62 0.42 0.07

Tm ppm 0.07 0.17 0.15 0.43 0.42 2.20 3.00 0.79 0.51 <0.04 <0.04

Yb ppm 0.44 1.44 0.94 2.96 3.02 14.73 21.01 5.66 3.80 <0.1 <0.1

Lu ppm 0.06 0.23 0.12 0.47 0.43 2.18 2.96 0.88 0.56 <0.04 <0.04

*

SiO2 is calculated as 100 - (Al2O3+Fe2O3+MgO+CaO+Na2O+K2O+TiO2+P2O5+MnO). 

Table 6A–2. Major-, trace-, and rare earth element concentration data for whole-rock samples from the Shaida subarea.—Continued

[%, percent; ppm, parts per million] 

Mineral Units RT–10–SD–1G RT–10–SD–5A RT–10–SD–5B RT–10–SD–5C RT–10–S4–1A RT–10–S4–1B RT–10–S4–1C RT–10–S1–01 RT–10–S1–02 AC–10–SD–01

SiO2* % 80.91 75.42 95.90 35.30 88.96 66.76 78.00 78.25 78.68 80.01

Al2O3 % 9.40 0.54 1.35 1.78 0.56 11.59 11.22 9.43 10.96 9.87

Fe2O3 % 6.07 13.42 1.23 58.65 9.00 14.31 2.77 5.89 1.72 7.61

MgO % 0.47 0.12 0.04 0.35 0.16 4.93 1.99 0.95 0.37 0.38

CaO % 0.61 10.26 1.08 3.62 1.19 0.36 0.48 0.28 0.60 0.28

Na2O % 0.09 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.05 0.07 3.64 3.51 3.45 0.11

K2O % 2.33 0.08 0.25 0.15 0.03 1.36 1.63 1.31 3.99 1.56

TiO2 % 0.07 0.06 0.06 0.03 0.01 0.41 0.19 0.19 0.18 0.14

P2O5 % 0.03 0.03 0.01 0.03 0.02 0.10 0.05 0.06 0.04 0.02

MnO % 0.01 0.01 0.02 0.02 0.03 0.10 0.02 0.13 0.02 0.01

As ppm 91.00 845.00 73.00 2,612.00 <1.5 <1.5 <1.5 <1.5 143.00 373.00

Ba ppm 568.80 175.00 90.40 497.50 36.70 427.20 234.70 203.30 689.60 225.50

Be ppm 1.00 0.20 0.40 0.10 0.40 1.40 1.80 0.70 2.60 1.50

Bi ppm 2.50 5.50 0.20 4.50 0.10 4.70 0.10 0.50 0.20 38.40

Cd ppm 0.20 2.50 <0.2 3.30 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 26.80

Co ppm 13.10 2.80 2.10 1.90 13.60 25.70 3.80 55.80 2.00 7.50

Cr ppm 244.50 6.50 10.70 11.20 6.10 17.80 8.40 6.00 9.20 4.40

Cu ppm 15.00 376.00 23.00 631.00 253.00 64.00 13.00 8,412.00 20.00 50,261.90

Ga ppm 15.30 1.10 1.60 4.80 1.00 18.80 12.20 10.50 13.80 19.20

Ge ppm 1.00 1.10 1.00 0.70 0.60 1.00 0.70 0.60 1.00 1.30

Li ppm 17.90 7.20 10.40 8.30 4.70 192.20 58.80 37.80 16.70 30.20

Mo ppm 10.00 20.70 1.70 47.90 2.70 1.50 0.30 1.20 0.90 23.00

Nb ppm 10.25 6.63 2.89 0.84 0.58 11.48 3.86 2.40 7.52 9.98

Ni ppm 4.40 4.60 4.90 5.10 3.90 8.00 3.80 3.60 4.80 3.20

Pb ppm 4.90 2,128.00 55.60 216.50 2.50 3.20 4.40 3.80 7.40 442.20

S ppm 1,978.90 460.80 106.90 1,213.70 115.20 110.40 108.10 97.20 139.30 203.10

Rb ppm 69.10 2.90 13.20 4.60 1.20 43.60 50.40 58.70 124.30 62.80

Sb ppm 0.33 25.69 1.41 21.74 2.12 0.51 0.42 0.49 1.41 6.58

Sc ppm 5.70 0.80 0.80 1.20 0.60 17.30 5.60 9.80 3.00 18.80

Sn ppm 5.60 3.50 0.70 6.20 0.40 7.40 0.70 2.00 1.00 7.10

Sr ppm 155.10 79.60 14.20 101.60 27.90 23.90 112.60 60.70 118.80 120.90

Ta ppm 0.34 0.12 0.18 0.05 0.05 0.90 0.36 0.26 1.28 0.64

Th ppm 10.90 1.80 2.60 2.10 0.90 7.80 4.20 2.30 25.00 8.70

Tl ppm 0.50 0.30 0.10 0.40 <0.1 0.40 0.30 0.50 1.20 0.60
374 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Mineral Units RT–10–SD–1G RT–10–SD–5A RT–10–SD–5B RT–10–SD–5C RT–10–S4–1A RT–10–S4–1B RT–10–S4–1C RT–10–S1–01 RT–10–S1–02 AC–10–SD–01

U ppm 10.50 1.80 0.80 3.20 1.80 3.00 1.50 39.40 3.80 65.60

V ppm 225.80 24.50 9.90 54.40 8.40 94.40 27.40 27.50 12.10 20.20

W ppm 1.40 1.50 1.40 1.60 <1 6.60 <1 1.40 1.00 3.00

Y ppm 24.78 16.26 4.52 1.88 5.63 21.15 12.36 24.46 29.52 32.82

Zn ppm 43.50 518.70 20.50 1,700.30 492.00 106.70 18.50 95.90 19.50 1,158.10

Zr ppm 168.50 135.56 46.97 15.01 12.12 162.15 97.11 82.41 164.50 173.68

Hf ppm 5.06 4.44 1.41 0.40 0.32 4.87 3.15 2.92 5.74 5.48

La ppm 21.61 5.01 6.67 2.45 7.93 14.89 11.38 12.66 32.71 12.03

Ce ppm 39.53 7.56 10.99 3.59 12.84 29.46 18.80 51.41 60.67 32.49

Pr ppm 4.33 0.87 1.33 0.45 1.49 3.57 1.98 3.26 6.64 5.13

Nd ppm 19.12 3.40 4.54 1.85 6.31 14.08 7.74 14.08 24.84 21.66

Sm ppm 3.42 0.91 0.80 0.37 1.09 2.88 1.59 3.91 5.14 5.69

Eu ppm 0.48 0.16 0.17 0.13 0.08 0.23 0.43 0.81 0.52 0.90

Gd ppm 3.24 1.33 0.69 0.38 1.23 2.73 1.66 3.84 4.90 4.85

Tb ppm 0.57 0.29 0.11 <0.1 0.18 0.54 0.30 0.73 0.83 0.99

Dy ppm 4.23 2.63 0.95 0.59 1.01 3.69 2.17 5.09 5.10 6.75

Ho ppm 0.83 0.53 0.14 0.07 0.18 0.77 0.41 0.93 0.99 1.38

Er ppm 3.21 1.93 0.54 0.19 0.50 2.61 1.49 2.97 3.50 4.56

Tm ppm 0.41 0.32 0.07 <0.04 0.06 0.36 0.20 0.44 0.48 0.71

Yb ppm 2.96 2.33 0.56 0.16 1.90 2.90 1.69 2.91 3.46 5.15

Lu ppm 0.47 0.47 0.06 <0.04 0.04 0.48 0.30 0.47 0.56 0.87

*

SiO2 is calculated as 100 - (Al2O3+Fe2O3+MgO+CaO+Na2O+K2O+TiO2+P2O5+MnO). 
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 375

Figure 6A–5. Geologic map and cross section of the Shaida and Misgaran subareas after Tarasenko and others 

(1973). Localities visited by U.S. Geological Survey scientists are Shaida deposit, Shaida 1, and Shaida 4. All of 

these sites are within heavily mineralized (copper) volcanic rocks of Early Cretaceous age, as indicated by the 

cross-hatch pattern (Tarasenko and others, 1973). The line of section, A–A′, is also after Tarasenko and others 

(1973). 

Table 6A–2. Major-, trace-, and rare earth element concentration data for whole-rock samples 

subarea.—Continued

from the Shaida 

[%, percent; ppm, parts per million] 

Mineral Units AC–10–SD–02 AC–10–SD–03 AC–10–SD–04 AS–10–SD–02 AS–10–SD–03

SiO2* % 77.82 81.66 86.46 87.17 85.71

Al2O3 % 11.42 8.57 10.22 6.31 9.67

Fe2O3 % 8.76 5.00 1.75 3.34 1.86

MgO % 0.27 0.72 0.64 0.10 0.41

CaO % 0.39 0.36 0.54 0.68 0.18

Na2O % 0.91 0.33 0.20 0.11 0.08

K2O % 0.21 2.36 0.10 2.18 1.98

TiO2 % 0.12 0.69 0.04 0.07 0.09

P2O5 % 0.01 0.25 0.01 0.02 0.02

MnO % 0.10 0.05 0.04 0.02 0.01

As ppm 462.00 <1.5 938.00 42.00 565.00

Ba ppm 50.00 397.10 117.50 487.30 474.00

Be ppm 0.90 3.50 1.00 0.70 0.60

Bi ppm 0.50 1.60 11.60 9.20 64.90

Cd ppm 2.60 0.40 3.80 <0.2 0.40

Co ppm 61.00 12.60 51.60 20.10 0.60

Cr ppm 3.50 55.60 4.10 7.20 5.20
376 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Mineral Units AC–10–SD–02 AC–10–SD–03 AC–10–SD–04 AS–10–SD–02 AS–10–SD–03

Cu ppm 27,355.00 35.00 74,258.60 860.00 9,212.00

Ga ppm 12.00 23.10 10.10 6.50 12.80

Ge ppm 0.80 2.00 0.80 1.20 1.10

Li ppm 17.30 54.60 14.10 56.80 21.00

Mo ppm 207.70 1.40 9.10 5.80 26.80

Nb ppm 6.99 7.15 4.53 3.19 10.71

Ni ppm 2.30 26.30 2.00 4.70 3.20

Pb ppm 23.50 60.70 80.30 14.60 1,846.00

S ppm 210.30 315.60 727.10 277.30 639.70

Rb ppm 11.00 141.10 2.50 72.60 53.90

Sb ppm 3.17 2.17 1.80 1.70 8.91

Sc ppm 16.80 10.60 8.70 2.20 5.00

Sn ppm 1.10 9.90 6.60 0.80 18.10

Sr ppm 271.60 67.40 230.10 63.80 76.20

Ta ppm 0.44 2.29 0.39 0.42 0.52

Th ppm 23.00 26.50 11.30 11.60 8.00

Tl ppm 1.20 1.00 <0.1 1.10 6.00

U ppm 97.00 5.70 95.40 7.10 23.70

V ppm 106.00 100.80 44.10 17.90 18.10

W ppm 2.60 5.70 <1 1.10 1.70

Y ppm 37.15 20.78 117.42 14.61 36.51

Zn ppm 1,073.40 101.00 155.20 26.80 69.80

Zr ppm 132.11 115.07 93.26 76.34 124.72

Hf ppm 4.03 3.61 2.97 2.83 4.31

La ppm 2.35 13.22 33.25 15.63 27.37

Ce ppm 17.20 57.21 101.12 31.36 50.48

Pr ppm 1.20 3.84 19.11 3.66 5.90

Nd ppm 7.11 21.21 112.27 14.27 24.29

Sm ppm 2.57 5.80 29.59 2.93 4.83

Eu ppm 0.55 0.93 5.00 0.45 0.66

Gd ppm 3.24 4.41 25.98 2.58 5.04

Tb ppm 0.86 0.84 4.20 0.47 0.89

Dy ppm 7.17 5.72 24.79 2.63 5.99

Ho ppm 1.43 1.09 4.48 0.51 1.24

Er ppm 4.82 3.78 12.93 1.60 3.99

Tm ppm 0.75 0.54 1.72 0.23 0.61

Yb ppm 5.34 4.41 11.71 1.78 4.08

Lu ppm 0.80 0.69 1.67 0.26 0.68

*

SiO2 is calculated as 100 - (Al2O3+Fe2O3+MgO+CaO+Na2O+K2O+TiO2+P2O5

The youngest sequence of strata, of Neogene to Recent age, consists of unconsolidated sand and 

gravels that unconformably overlie the two older sequences. Their deposition clearly postdates the cycle 

of volcanic activity in the area (fig. 6A–5). 

+MnO). 

A small, but significant number of intrusive igneous rocks crop out within the Shaida subarea

(fig. 6A–5). These are broadly coeval with the volcanic rocks of Late Cretaceous to Paleogene age. 

Three phases of intrusive igneous rocks are recognized. First-phase intrusive rocks consist of small 

stocks and intrusive masses of fine-grained granite and granodiorite (figs. 6A–5 and 6A–6). 

Second-phase intrusive rocks include leucocratic granosyenite and microcline-rich porphyry granite. 

These first two phases have been assigned a Late Cretaceous age (Tarasenko and others, 1973). The 

third and youngest phase of intrusive rocks consists of subvolcanic porphyritic intrusions of 

Paleocene-Eocene age that range in composition from quartz diorite to granite. 
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 377

Figure 6A–6. Field photographs of geological relationships and rocks at the Shaida subarea. (a) Aerial 

photograph looking northwest of the Cretaceous intrusive stocks that host the copper porphyry rocks (fig. 6A–5). 

The stock in the foreground (x1K1) hosts the bulk of the copper mineralization; the stock in the middle ground 

(x2K2) hosts a second zone of copper mineralization. The ridge in the distant background is outside the area of 

interest. (b) Aerial photograph of modestly dipping, argillaceous shale, sandstone and volcanic strata of Cretaceous 

age (K1B–Bz1, fig. 6A–5). (c) Hand specimen of granite porphyry (x1k1) at the Shaida deposit. (d) Copper oxide 

stained quartz veins in the fractured and brecciated host rock. (e) Hematite- and copper oxide-rich leucogranite at 

the Shaida subarea. (f

The principal zone of copper mineralization at the Shaida subarea is within the volcanic strata of 

Early Cretaceous age. The volcanic rocks are interstratified with, and overlain by, terrigenous 

sedimentary rocks that include a thick section of massive, shallow-water limestone, pebbly 

conglomerate, and clastic redbeds. A continental provenance for the pebbly conglomerates and clastic 

redbeds is probable. The mineralized volcanic strata are highly fractured and faulted, and intruded by 

) Iron gossan at the Shaida deposit. Photograph by Robert D. Tucker, U.S. Geological 

Survey. 
378 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

phase 1 and 2 tabular sheets and stocks of hypabyssal granite porphyry, syenogranite, and leucogranite 

(Late Cretaceous; Tarasenko and others, 1973). Thus, the Shaida subarea is best considered a deposit of 

the porphyry-copper type (fig. 6A–5, Peters and others, 2007). The age of mineralization is bracketed 

between the Paleocene, the age of the porphyritic granitoids that host the deposit, and Pliocene, the age 

of the gravels that unconformably overlie the deposit. 

6A.3.3 Misgaran Subarea

The Misgaran subarea is situated in the southeastern part of figure 6A–5, approximately 16 km 

southeast of the Shaida subarea. The subarea is defined by three tin-bearing prospects associated with a 

modest-sized (~ 50 km2) granite stock of Late Cretaceous age that intrudes Early Cretaceous sandstone 

and limestone (fig. 6A–7). Two vein and stock prospects are adjacent to the granite stock and are both

characterized by quartz-tourmaline mineralization. About 3 km east of the stock is an area of tin-bearing 

polymetallic veins and tabular skarn beds as much as 50 m thick. The thickness and widespread nature 

of mineralized rock suggest that these are host to a large polymetallic vein and skarn deposit.

6A.4 Geochemistry

Tables 6A–1 through 6A–3 present major, trace- and rare earth element concentration data for 48 

whole-rock samples from the Dusar, Shaida, and Misgaran subareas. Samples include mafic and felsic 

igneous rocks (intrusive and extrusive), altered and mineralized volcanic strata, as well as gossans, 

siliceous veins, and minor sedimentary rocks. Because the igneous rocks either intrude or were extruded 

upon sedimentary rocks of a common sequence (Early to Late Cretaceous), and the igneous rocks are of 

a common age (Late Cretaceous to Paleocene), we assume that they are genetically related. Our analysis 

of the geochemical data is a first attempt to understand their genesis and the type of economic mineral 

deposits associated with them.

Major- and trace-element analyses of the mafic and felsic metaigneous rocks from the Dusar, 

Shaida, and Misgaran subareas define a calc-alkaline igneous suite ranging in composition from basalt 

to rhyolite. Based on Soviet-era mapping (Tarasenko and others, 1973), and the observations of our 

scoping mission, we infer that: (1) igneous rocks of the Shaida and Misgaran subareas are dominated by 

felsic types (rhyolite, dacite, and granite porphyry), and (2) igneous rocks of the Dusar subarea consist 

mostly of mafic and intermediate types, with few felsic varieties (quartz keratophyre) (figs. 6A–8 though 

6A–10). 

In terms of their trace-element abundances, the metaigneous rocks from the three subareas share 

important similarities and common differences. The metaigneous rocks are generally enriched in the 

large ion lithophile elements (rubidium, potassium, thorium, and uranium), have significant relative 

depletions in niobium, tantalum, and titanium, and have strong relative enrichments in lead. In addition, 

the metaigneous rocks exhibit relatively flat rare earth element (REE) abundance patterns, at 10 to 100 

times chondrite abundance, except for the felsic rocks, which show strong relative enrichments in the 

light REE (LREE; includes lanthanum, cerium, praseodymium, neodymium, and samarium) over the 

heavy REE (HREE; gadolinium through lutetium). All these characteristics are common to calc-alkaline 

igneous rocks of subduction origin (figs. 6A–11 and 6A–12). The mafic and felsic metaigneous rocks 

from Dusar and Shaida have characteristics similar to those of basalts and rhyolites from the Taupo 

volcanic zone in New Zealand that were emplaced within extended continental crust behind the 

Hikurangi trench (Balance, 1976; Gamble and others, 1993; figs. 6A–11 and 6A–12). We propose, 

therefore, that the Late Cretaceous to Paleogene igneous rocks of the Farah Rod belt formed in a 

continental arc or back-arc setting. This context is consistent with the facies of Lower to Upper

Cretaceous sedimentary rocks that host the metaigneous suite. 
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 379

Figure 6A–7. Aerial photographs over the Misgaran subarea and its copper-tin skarn prospects. (a) View looking 

south of the contact skarn showing the contact metamorphosed wall rock (dark colored in background, K1B-ap, 

fig. 6A–5) and the granite massif (light colored rocks, x3P3, fig. 6A–5) occupying the low foreground. (b) View

looking south of the hornfels at the southern contact of the granite stock showing the near-vertical dip of contact 

metamorphosed Cretaceous marl (K1B-ap, fig. 6A–5). (c) View looking southwest of brittle deformation of the 

southern contact aureole showing a few meters displacement along a normal fault. (d

The chemistry of the altered metaigneous rocks and gossans is presented in figure 6A–13. In 

general, slight to modest alteration of the felsic igneous rocks is accompanied by a decrease in the 

concentrations of LREEs as well as the alkali elements Rb and K. An increase in alteration results in a 

decrease in total REE concentrations across their mass range and, in some instances, a pronounced 

decrease in HREE relative to LREE concentrations. The gossans from Dusar and Shaida have relatively 

low concentrations of REE (figs. 6A–11 and 6A–12), and in general, relative depletions of cerium, 

europium, and HREE. These depletions are reflective of leaching by oxidized fluids under supergene 

conditions (Leroy and Turpin, 1988). For the Shaida rocks, this depletion occurred with a nearly 

constant ratio of lanthanum to samarium (fig. 6A–12c), suggesting that the gossans are the highly 

weathered products of the volcanic and (or) metasedimentary rocks. When all bedrock samples, 

including the gossans, are plotted on the alteration diagram of Large and others (2001), the freshest 

rhyolites from Shaida plot within the “least altered box” in figure 6A–12d, and the sericitic metavolcanic 

rocks and argillitic rocks are most enriched in potassium, and depleted in sodium. As might be expected, 

the gossans are strongly depleted in alkali elements and enriched in ferric iron.

) View looking south of more 

brittle deformation of the contact skarn showing quartz-filled gashes in the contact aureole within hornfelsed 

Cretaceous limestone (K1B-ap, fig. 6A–5). Photograph by Robert D. Tucker, U.S. Geological Survey.
380 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Table 6A–3. Major-, trace-, and rare earth element concentration data of whole-rocks from the Misgaran subarea.

[%, percent; ppm, parts per million]

Sample Units RT–10–BM–01 RT–10–BM–02

SiO2* % 66.98 69.54

Al2O3 % 13.58 12.7

Fe2O3 % 5.45 5.11

MgO % 2.92 1.88

CaO % 5.07 2.72

Na2O % 2.42 3.74

K2O % 2.82 3.68

TiO2 % 0.56 0.43

P2O5 % 0.12 0.11

MnO % 0.09 0.09

As ppm <1.5 <1.5

Ba ppm 302.5 381.2

Be ppm 1.8 2

Bi ppm 0.1 0.3

Cd ppm <0.2 <0.2

Co ppm 15.6 10.9

Cr ppm 48.7 43.2

Cu ppm 22 26

Ga ppm 17.8 17.9

Ge ppm 1 1.4

Li ppm 55.2 44.7

Mo ppm 0.9 1.2

Nb ppm 9.67 9.53

Ni ppm 15 17.9

Pb ppm 19.2 21.9

S ppm 130.2 140.9

Rb ppm 159.8 138.3

Sb ppm 0.34 0.78

Sc ppm 8.9 13.9

Sn ppm 0.9 5.1

Sr ppm 55.4 402.9

Ta ppm 0.56 0.98

Th ppm 25.1 14.2

Tl ppm 0.8 0.6

U ppm 5.2 2.7

V ppm 99.6 59

W ppm 2.9 1.9

Y ppm 23.04 28.69

Zn ppm 63.1 71.6

Zr ppm 185.36 198.5

Hf ppm 6.04 6.27

La ppm 31.06 33.02

Ce ppm 60.77 62.44

Pr ppm 6.74 6.98

Nd ppm 25.59 27.26

Sm ppm 5.2 5.44

Eu ppm 0.95 0.96

Gd ppm 4.51 4.95

Tb ppm 0.73 0.83

Dy ppm 4.32 5.47

Ho ppm 0.82 1.04

Er ppm 2.7 3.19

Tm ppm 0.36 0.47

Yb ppm 2.35 3.32

Lu ppm 0.37 0.51
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 381

Figure 6A–8. Trace element discrimination diagram (Zr/Ti vs. Nb/Y) showing the classification of felsic, 

intermediate, and mafic metavolcanic rocks from the (a) Dusar, (b) Shaida, and (c) Misgaran subareas. Volcanic 

rocks in the Dusar subarea are of presumed Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous age. Volcanic rocks from the Shaida 

and Misgaran subareas are of presumed Late Cretaceous age. Field boundaries after Pearce (1996) and Pearce 

and others (1984). Axes increments are unitless.
382 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Figure 6A–9. Ternary trace element discrimination diagram (Hf, Th, Nb) showing the classification and inferred 

setting of felsic, intermediate, and mafic metavolcanic rocks from the (a) Dusar, (b) Shaida, and (c) Misgaran

subareas. Volcanic rocks in the Dusar subarea are of presumed Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous age. Volcanic 

rocks in the Shaida and Misgaran subareas are of presumed Late Cretaceous age. Field boundaries after Wood 

(1980). Axes ticks represent 10-percent increments.
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 383

Figure 6A–10. Trace-element discrimination diagrams (Nb and Y) showing the classification an inferred setting of 

the metavolcanic rocks from the (a) Dusar, (b) Shaida, and (c) Misgaran subareas. Field boundaries after Pearce 

(1996) and Pearce and others (1984). The abbreviation ppm is parts per million.
384 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Figure 6A–11. (a) Rare earth element, and (b) trace element analyses of the Dusar amphibolites, normalized to 

(a) chondrites, and (b) primitive mantle. Also shown is the field for basalts (brown) from the Taupo volcanic zone, 

North Island, New Zealand (N.Z.). (c) Rare earth element and (d) trace element analyses of the felsic volcanic rocks 

from Dusar, Shaida, and Misgaran, normalized to (c) chondrites and (d) primitive mantle. Also shown is the field for 

rhyolites (brown) from the Taupo volcanic zone, North Island, New Zealand. Chondritic and primitive mantle values 

after Nakamura (1974) and Sun and McDonough (1989), respectively.

6A.5 Dusar Subarea Volcanic-Hosted Copper Prospects

The volcanic rocks in the Dusar subarea, of latest Jurassic (?) to Early Cretaceous age, are 

intruded by numerous diabase and gabbro intrusive bodies. The section of volcanic rocks is highly 

faulted and fractured, with two major gossans well developed above the volcanic rocks at the Dusar type 

locality, and Namak-sory.

6A.5.1 Dusar Gossan

The gossan is exposed as a north-south trending zone, approximately 1.5 km long and 200 m 

wide, consisting of discontinuous outcrops along a dry stream valley. Because of the brecciated nature 

of the gossan, its linear trend and low relief, we postulate that the gossan follows a paleofault or fracture 

zone. The gossan overlies with profound unconformity the Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous volcanic rocks, 

and is covered by unconsolidated Neogene sediments (fig. 6A–4a,b).
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 385

Figure 6A–12. Discrimination diagrams of the altered stratified rocks, gossans, and veins from the Dusar and 

Shaida subareas. Chondritic and primitive mantle values after Nakamura (1974) and Sun and McDonough (1989), 

respectively. Trace-element and rare earth element concentration values of basalts (brown) from the Taupo 

volcanic zone of New Zealand are from Gamble and others (1993). (a) Chondrite-normalized rare earth element 

(REE) diagram of the “fresh” volcanic and metavolcanic rocks from Shaida. (b) Rare earth element and trace 

element discrimination diagram of the “fresh” volcanic and metavolcanic rocks from Shaida. (c) Rare earth element 

variation diagram, normalized to chondrites, of altered metavolcanic rocks from the Shaida subarea. (d) Rare earth 

element and trace element discrimination diagram of the “altered” metavolcanic rocks from Shaida. (e) Rare earth 

element variation diagram, normalized to chondrites, of the altered argillites and phyllites from the Shaida subarea. 

(f) Rare earth element and trace-element discrimination diagram of the altered argillites and phyllites from Shaida.
386 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

Figure 6A–13. Rare earth element variation diagram of the metasiltstone and gossans from the Dusar subarea, 

normalized to chondrites. Chondrite rare earth element (REE) abundances after Nakamura (1974). Note the low 

concentrations of REE in the gossans, and especially the relative heavy REE (LREE) depletions relative to the light 

REE (LREE). (b) Chondrite-normalized REE diagram of the limonite gossans from the Shaida subarea. Chondrite 

REE abundances after Nakamura (1974). (c) Log La compared to log Sm of the altered stratified rocks, copper

mineralized granophyres, gossans, and quartz veins, of the Shaida district. (d) Alteration diagram of Large and 

others (2001) showing the analyses of the fresh metavolcanic and rhyolites from Shaida relative to the altered and 

mineralized samples from the Shaida district. The abbreviation ppm is parts per million.

The largest of the gossans at Dusar is approximately 2 km long and 30 to 200 m wide (fig. 6A–3 

and 6A–4b). The thick mineralized zone consists of massive, ochreous, and siliceous limonitic gossan 

(fig. 6A–4f). According to Telkov and others (1972, 1973; cited by Abdullah and others, 1977), diamond 

drilling below the Dusar gossan intersected a siliceous and sericitic limonitic rock underlain by quartz 

keratophyre with disseminated pyrite. The mineralized sections grade 0.06 wt. % copper and up to 

0.05 wt. % zinc; our assays of the Dusar gossan show anomalously high concentrations of arsenic and 

zinc (table 1), although not at the reported values of Telkov and others (1972). Additional mineral 

occurrences within this part of the tract contain geologically similar mineralized zones with anomalous 

concentrations of copper, zinc, and gold (Abdullah and others, 1977). The vein-like occurrences, some 

of which are up to 1.5 km long, are silicified and associated with diabase dikes that locally contain 

chalcopyrite and secondary copper minerals.

6A.5.2 Namak-Sory Gossan

The bedrock of the Namak-sory landing site is poorly exposed, and only a few localities were 

observed and sampled by U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) scientists. The gossan is visible as a small 
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 387

knob, less than 100 m high, that rises above an alluvial plain of Neogene gravel. Elsewhere the gossan is 

buried beneath Neogene gravel and sandstone.

In addition to ground surveys, Telkov and others (1972) conducted both induced polarization and 

natural field-potential studies at the Namak-sory site (fig. 6A–3). Their survey indicated that the natural 

electric field potential varied little across the strike of the gossan, and thus the measured electric field 

could not be related directly to zones of sulfide mineralization. The method of induced polarization, 

however, yielded a different result. In that case, two isolated zones of sulfide mineralization were 

identified at Namak-sory. Zone 1 trends northwest-southeast, dips slightly to the southwest, is 

approximately 75 m thick, and extends to a depth of at least 100 m. Zone 2 trends northeast-southwest

for 250 to 750 m, has a near-vertical dip along approximately 40 m of its length, and has an estimated 

width of 75 m.

The presence of thick, extensive gossans at Dusar and Namak-sory is suggestive of significant 

sulfide mineralization at depth. The composition of the mineralized volcanic rocks, and their association 

with shallow marine terrigenous sediments, is consistent with a volcanogenic origin, perhaps as a 

volcanogenic massive sulfide deposit in a continental back-arc setting

6A.6 Shaida Subarea Porphyry Copper-Zinc Occurrences

The Shaida subarea includes copper occurrences (lat 33°51'N., long 61°51'E.) hosted within

Lower Cretaceous volcanic strata intruded by leucogranite and granite porphyry plugs of Late 

Cretaceous to Oligocene age (fig. 6A–5). The major zone of copper mineralization, the Shaida deposit

(fig. 6A–5), coincides with a 200- to 300-m-wide, strongly fractured, limonitized and kaolinitized fault 

zone, where six steeply dipping mineralized bodies and a cupriferous pyrite gossan are present. The six 

bodies range between 150 and 850 m in length, and between 3 and 8 m in width; they consist of 

limonite, hematite, and minor secondary copper minerals assaying at 0.27 to 3.02 wt. % copper and 0.02

to 0.37 wt. % zinc (Abdullah and others, 1977). Based on diamond drilling (Tarasenko and others,

1973), the individual occurrences are between 1 and 10 m thick (averaging ~ 4 m) and up to 2,400 m 

long; they consist of pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and minor chalcopyrite. Mineralization is in the form 

of massive veinlets and disseminated occurrences (fig. 6A–6d-e) that assay 0.04 to 1.6 wt. % copper 

(average 0.63 wt. % copper), 0.09 to 7.0 wt. % zinc (average 1.3 wt. % zinc), 0.01 to 0.5 wt. % lead 

(average 0.08 wt. % lead) and 0.2 to 0.03 grams per metric ton (g/t) gold. Calculated resources of 4.8 Mt

(million metric tons) of ore assay 1.1 wt. % copper and 1.2 wt. % zinc.

6A.6.1 Shaida Deposit

The site designated as the Shaida deposit, is located in the southern part of the triangle-shaped 

area in figure 6A–5. Two abbreviated site visits, each less than 1 hour in duration, were made by the 

team of USGS scientists. The bedrock at both localities consists of highly fractured, silicified, and 

copper-oxide stained sericitic phyllite (metavolcanic and metasilt) intruded by thin (less than 4 m thick) 

sheets and dikes of leucogranite (fig. 6A–6a–e). At another locality within the Shaida deposit site, we 

noted a thick iron gossan (approximately 5 m thick), resting above brecciated phyllite heavily stained 

with Cu oxide minerals (fig. 6A–6f). Twenty-three samples were collected for geochemistry with several 

representative samples from the Soviet trenches that yielded ore-grade copper concentrations (20,000 to 

60,000 parts per million) and anomalous concentrations of arsenic and zinc (table 2).

6A.6.2 Shaida 1

The site designated as Shaida 1 is located in the northern part of the triangle-shaped area (fig. 

6A–5). It also is an area that was trenched by Soviet geologists in the 1970s. The bedrock at Shaida 1 

consists of highly fractured, silicified, and copper-oxide stained sericite phyllite (metavolcanic and 

metasiltstone) extensively intruded by sheets and dikes of granite porphyry (fig. 6A–6c). Four samples 

were collected for geochemistry and isotopic dating; one of the samples collected for geochemistry was 

a malachite-stained phyllite with a Cu concentration of approximately 30,000 ppm.
388 Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in Afghanistan

6A.6.3 Shaida 4

Shaida 4 is located midway between the Shaida deposit and Shaida I sites, and within the subarea 

designated as having porphyry copper potential (fig. 6A–5). Several trenches, and a large iron gossan, 

were observed from the air.

Bedrock at the Shaida 4 site consists of extensively altered, mineralized and brecciated felsic 

volcanic and pelitic schist and phyllite. Also noteworthy was the presence of granite porphyry and 

quartz veins with syntaxial fiber growth, all extensively stained with copper-oxide (malachite). The 

exposure shares the general characteristics of the Shaida deposit and Shaida 4 sites.

6A.7 Misgaran Subarea Tin Skarn Occurrences

Porphyry copper deposits are typified by chalcopyrite and bornite, either disseminated or in veins 

and breccias, which are generally confined to the intrusive igneous rocks and immediate contact zone. If 

calcareous wall rocks are present, part of the deposit may occur as skarn, which is a high-temperature 

replacement of the carbonate country rock. Copper and tin skarn, which is observed around granitoids in 

the Misgaran subarea, commonly consists of veined and tabular masses of chalcopyrite, pyrite, 

cassiterite, hematite, and magnetite (and other copper sulfides) in a calc-silicate gangue.

The Misgaran subarea in Herat Province (lat 33°49′30′′ N., long 61°06′E.) is defined by three tinbearing mineral prospects associated with a moderate sized (approximately 50 km2

) Upper Cretaceous 

or Paleocene granite stock that intrudes Lower Cretaceous sandstone, siltstone, shale, and limestone

(figs. 6A–5 and 6A–6). The mineralization may be traced over a large zone, approximately 12 km2, 

approximately 2.5 km long and 50 to 300 m wide. Two vein and stockwork prospects are closely 

adjacent to the stock, and all are characterized by quartz-tourmaline alteration. The most extensive zone 

of mineralization, about 3 km east of the stock, is a tin-bearing polymetallic skarn having alteration beds 

as much as is 950 m long, 460 m thick, and up to 300 m thick (fig. 6A–6). Mineralization also takes the 

form of numerous subparallel veins and nests with lead-zinc sulfide minerals and cassiterite. Tin is 

present as disseminated sulfides and stannite associated with galena. The tin concentration commonly 

grades between 0.01 and 6.0 weight percent and averages less than 0.11 weight percent. Associated base 

metals, lead and copper, commonly occur in trace amounts (Kabakov, 1973). The thickness and 

widespread nature of the mineralization suggests that the area could contain a large skarn deposit.

The presence of three partially explored tin-bearing magmatic-hydrothermal systems and the 

widespread occurrence of geochemical halos indicate the possible presence of undiscovered tin deposits.

Uncertainty about the deposit type—vein, stockwork greisen, porphyry, skarn, or replacement—prevents 

making a quantitative estimate of potential resources.

6A.8 Summary of Potential

The presence of relatively well-explored copper- and zinc- bearing prospects in the Farah Rod 

Area of Interest and its subareas is an important positive indicator for a deposit of commercial size in 

this area. The geologic and petrologic characteristics of the associated igneous rocks, and the available 

assays, suggest two different types of deposits in the region.

Mineralization in the Dusar subarea has characteristics compatible with the descriptive 

volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) model, perhaps in a continental back-arc setting. Many of the 

occurrence descriptions indicate significant gossanous zones. There are promising assays from the 

district, and the geophysical work conducted by the Soviets in 1971 revealed that the Namak-sory site is 

prospective for sulfide ores. The position of the mineralized zones at Namak-sory was ascertained and, 

in 1972, the Soviets drilled several holes (Telkov and others, 1973). Borehole number 1 at the Namaksory site exposed extensive pyrite mineralization, but extensive mineralization was not found at the 

Dusar site.

The Shaida subarea is properly classified as a highly prospective copper porphyry deposit. The 

zone of copper mineralization coincides with a 200- to 300-m-wide, strongly fractured, limonitized and 

kaolinitized fault zone, where six steeply dipping mineralized bodies and a cupriferous pyrite gossan are 
Chapter 6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest 389

present. The main zone of mineralization, 2.6 km long and 300 to 500 m wide, consists of secondary 

copper minerals assaying 0.27 to 3.02 wt. % copper and 0.02 to 0.37 wt. % zinc. The grade of these ores 

was confirmed by the USGS sampling team in August 2010. Based on diamond drilling (Tarasenko and 

others, 1973), the individual occurrences are between 1 and10 m thick (averaging approximately 4 m) 

and are up to 2,400 m long. The mineral occurrences consist of pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and minor 

chalcopyrite in massive veinlets and disseminated ores that assay between 0.04 and 1.6 wt. % copper 

(average 0.63 wt. % copper), between 0.09 and 7.0 wt. % zinc (average 1.3 wt. % zinc), between 0.01

and 0.5 wt. % lead (average 0.08 wt. % lead), and between 0.2 and 0.03 g/t gold. Calculated resources 

are 4.8 million metric tons (Mt) of ore assaying 1.1 wt. % copper and 1.2 wt. % zinc.

Although not visited by the USGS sampling team, the Misgaran tin occurrence is also rated as 

modestly prospective. The occurrence is defined by three tin-bearing mineral prospects of modest size 

(approximately 50 km2) within a Late Cretaceous or Paleocene granite stock that intrudes Early

Cretaceous sandstone, siltstone, shale, and limestone. The mineralization is traceable over a large area, 

approximately 12 km2

, that is 2.5 km long and between 50 to 300 m wide. The most extensive zone of 

mineralization, about 3 km east of the stock, is a tin-bearing polymetallic skarn having alteration beds as 

much as is 950 m long, 460 m thick, and up to 300 m thick. Reported tin assays have high potential, 

with tin concentrations ranging between 0.01 and 6.0 weight percent and averaging less than 0.11 weight 

percent (Kababakov, 1973; Khasanov and others, 1967).

Future discoveries and definitions of resources will require extensive field examination and 

geophysical surveys. Ground surveys should be done in concert with detailed mapping and geochemical 

sampling, including trenching and drilling. In addition, extensive geophysical exploration, including 

low-elevation aeromagnetic, electroconductivity, and aeroradiometric surveys, must accompany the next

round of field work. Such exploration could delineate defined zones of mineralization, sufficient in 

grade and size, for future commercial development.

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