Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and 

Production Opportunities of Nonfuel Minerals in 

Afghanistan

By Stephen G. Peters, Trude V.V. King, Thomas J. Mack, Michael P. Chornack (eds.), and the 

U.S. Geological Survey Afghanistan Mineral Assessment Team

Volume I

Prepared in cooperation with the 

U.S. Department of Defense Task Force for Business and Stability Operations and the 

Afghanistan Geological Survey

This report is printed in two volumes; a DVD in the pocket of 

volume I contains the whole report. Volume I contains the 

Executive Summary and chapters 1–10C. Volume II contains

chapters 11A–26C. The chapters and appendixes 1–3 are 

also available separately on the Web.

Open-File Report 2011–1204

USGS Afghanistan Project Product No. 199

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2011

For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth,

its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit 

http://www.usgs.gov or call 1–888–ASK–USGS

For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications,

visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod

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Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual 

copyright owners to reproduce any copyrighted material contained within this report.

Suggested citation:

Peters, S.G., King, T.V.V., Mack, T.J., Chornack, M.P., eds., and the U.S. Geological Survey Afghanistan Mineral 

Assessment Team, 2011, Summaries of important areas for mineral investment and production opportunities of

nonfuel minerals in Afghanistan: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2011–1204, 1,810 p. plus appendixes on 

DVD. (Also available at http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2011/1204/.)

ISBN 978–1–4113–3228–7 
iii

Executive Summary

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) of the Department of the Interior and the Task Force for 

Business and Stability Operations (TFBSO) of the Department of Defense entered into agreements to 

study and assess the fuel and nonfuel mineral resources of Afghanistan from October 2009 to September 

2011 so that these resources could be economically extracted to expand the economy of the country. 

This report summarizes results of joint studies on 24 important areas of interest (AOIs) of nonfuel 

mineral resources that were identified for mineral investment and production opportunities in 

Afghanistan. USGS-TFBSO activities for oil and gas resources are reported separately. This report is 

supported by digital data and archival and non-USGS reports on each AOI, and these data are available 

from the Afghanistan Geological Survey Data Center in Kabul (http://mom.gov.af/en/; 

http://www.bgs.ac.uk/afghanminerals/) and for viewing and download on the USGS public Web site 

(http://afghanistan.cr.usgs.gov/) and in a separate viewer at http://mapdss2.er.usgs.gov/. For images in 

the B-lettered chapters that are derived from hyperspectral data, higher resolution files are also available 

at 

Because this report focuses on the 24 AOIs within Afghanistan (fig. ES–1), the potential for 

early economic mining in each area is discussed for a number of different mineral, commodity, and 

deposit types. These AOIs were selected and identified in 2007 by the USGS as areas where known 

deposits and resources had been identified by earlier Soviet and Afghanistan geologists. Mineral 

deposits and occurrences in the AOIs were studied, sampled, and documented by the Soviet and Afghan 

geologists, which means that the economic geology in these areas is well documented by archival 

reports and maps. These AOIs commonly contain known measured mineral reserves or resources that 

were generated from previous sampling in trenches, drill holes, and (or) underground workings. Road 

access also is common in most of the AOIs. Therefore, these AOIs contain a number of assets that 

should reduce investment risk, so they are the most likely places to be mined early, considering the vast 

number of mineralized areas in the country. A number of the AOIs were field checked by USGS and 

TFBSO geologists between 2009 and 2011, and the previous geologic interpretations and concepts were 

confirmed. 

http://afghanistan.cr.usgs.gov/minerals.

The USGS-compiled digital data for each of the 24 AOIs, and an additional 33 subareas within 

these AOIs, include both previously published USGS data and newly generated data from the joint 

USGS-TFBSO project. All the data generated by the USGS are published and available and are

inventoried in appendix 1. The sum of these data within each AOI comprises a data package (fig. ES–2). 

These digital data packages have been combined with other existing reports and data generated by the 

USGS. Data and reports in each AOI are interpreted and summarized in the individual chapters in this 

report, and these summaries, combined with the archival reports and other information, form 

Information Packages for each AOI. The information packages are intended to be used to assemble 

Bidding Packages

Each chapter in this report summarizes mineral resource studies in the individual AOIs and their 

subareas and three main chapter types are included: “A” chapters summarize the economic geology, “B” 

chapters summarize the hyperspectral data and hyperspectral anomalies that may indicate mineralized 

areas, and “C” chapters summarize the geohydrology of each AOI. An additional chapter “D” is also 

included for Haji-Gak Iron AOI discussing the ores reserve calculations there. 

 that would be constructed by the Ministry of Mines of Afghanistan and distributed to 

potential bidders (fig. ES–2), as specified by the Mining Law of Afghanistan. The bidding packages 

provide legal and formal access to the mineral resources, according to the Mining Law of Afghanistan, 

and allow investors and mining firms in Afghanistan to develop the mineral wealth of the country. 
iv

The USGS participated in the planning and execution of several USGS-TFBSO scoping missions 

to several of the AOIs during 2009, 2010, and 2011. The AOIs visited were the Khanneshin carbonatite, 

Chaigai Hills travertine, Balkhab copper, Haji-Gak iron, northern Aynak copper and cobalt, Kundalan 

copper and gold, Zarkashan copper and gold, and Dusar-Shaida copper and tin AOIs (fig. ES–1).

Information and data gathered on these scoping missions are incorporated in the summaries of each AOI 

or are contained within the data or information packages. In each case, new and unique geologic 

observations were acquired that allowed evaluation and interpretation of the previous Soviet works, 

which in most cases were confirmed and deemed accurate.

Much USGS work on nonfuel minerals was conducted jointly by the U.S. Geological Survey and 

the Minerals Team of the Afghanistan Geological Survey from October 1, 2007, to the present. The 

main AOIs worked in Afghanistan during fiscal year (FY) 2009 and 2010 were Badakshan gold, 

Balkhab copper, and Panjsher Valley emerald, iron, and silver AOIs (fig. ES–1). Separate reports of this 

work by the AGS are contained within the information packages for each AOI and are also available 

through the AGS. 

All the AOIs were selected as areas that could potentially support mineral production in the near 

future. As part of a project prioritization process, a number of AOIs or subareas were identified as 

important because new information gathered and compiled in 2009 and 2011 confirmed and augmented 

the geologic concepts or mineral potential that had been interpreted from previous Soviet fieldwork and 

USGS assessments. These important, higher priority AOIs are Badakshan gold, Balkhab copper, HajiGak iron, Aynak copper and cobalt, Zarkashan copper and gold, Kundalan copper and gold, Khanneshin 

carbonatite, and Dusar-Shaida copper and tin (fig. ES–1). These AOIs have existing outcropping 

mineralization with favorable geometries and simple metallurgical ore types; these parameters therefore 

may translate into lower capital costs, lower lead times, and short payback periods. Many of the AOIs

may contain ore deposits that could be medium- to world-class in size and tenor. 

Activities by the USGS between 2009 and 2011 related to industrial mineral deposits were 

designed to assess the use of the industrial mineral resources by Afghanistan indigenous industries 

working closely with TFBSO. This focus was on cement and marble production. Two cement plants, 

Jabal-e-Saraj and Pul-e-Khumri, were assessed, and planning for marble and phosphorite development 

was conducted. Results of work on cement are summarized in this report. Additional chapters 

summarize information on other industrial minerals, such as clays, gypsum, salt, sulfur, sand and gravel, 

limestone, and other materials.

Geohydrologic activities in support of mineral development involved a number of activities 

including the completion of the analysis of historical stream flows for Afghanistan. Results of this 

analysis are available in three separate reports on geohydrologic activities in support of mineral 

development. 
v
Figure ES–1. Map of Afghanistan showing the areas of interest (AOIs), which are summarized in this report and which were the focus of the 

U.S. Geological Survey-U.S. Department of Defense Task Force for Business and Stability Operations scoping project that took place during 

fiscal years 2009–2011. 

vi

Figure ES–2. Flow chart and classification of data and information packages for each mineral area of interest leading to a bidding package. The area in 

blue is the information package that is a combination of U.S. Geological Survey and other data. Each data and information package complements the 

chapters in this report and is available on the Web at http://afghanistan.cr.usgs.gov/. 
vii

Contents

[Numbers and letters at left designate the chapters. This report is printed in two volumes; the first contains the Executive Summary, chapters 1–10C, and 

appendixes 1–3; the second contains chapters 11A–26C. For images in the B-lettered chapters that are derived from hyperspectral data, higher resolution 

files are also available at http://afghanistan.cr.usgs.gov/minerals] 

Volume I

Executive Summary .......................................................................................................................................................iii

1. Introduction to Summaries of Important Areas for Mineral Investment and Production Opportunities 

in Afghanistan ................................................................................................................................................... 1 

2A. Summary of the Aynak Copper, Cobalt, and Chromium Area of Interest ........................................................36

2B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Aynak Copper, Cobalt, and Chromium Area of Interest ........95

2C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Aynak Copper, Cobalt, and Chromium Area of Interest ..............................135

3A. Summary of the Badakhshan Gold Area of Interest......................................................................................161

3B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Badakhshan Gold Area of Interest ......................................186

3C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Badakhshan Gold Area of Interest..............................................................203

4A. Summary of the Balkhab Copper Area of Interest.........................................................................................224

4B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Balkhab Copper Area of Interest.........................................248

4C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Balkhab Copper Area of Interest................................................................. 275

5A. Summary of the Daykundi Tin and Tungsten Area of Interest.......................................................................294

5B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Daykundi Tin and Tungsten Area of Interest.......................314

5C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Daykundi Tin and Tungsten Area of Interest...............................................342

6A. Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest...................................................................363

6B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest ...................392

6C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Dusar-Shaida Copper and Tin Area of Interest...........................................428

7A. Summary of the Haji-Gak Iron Area of Interest .............................................................................................450

7B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Haji-Gak Iron Area of Interest..............................................499

7C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Haji-Gak Iron Area of Interest .....................................................................549

7D. A Reevaluation of the Geology and Mineral Resources of the Haji-Gak Iron Deposit...................................570

8A. Summary of the Katawas Gold Area of Interest ............................................................................................598

8B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Katawas Gold Area of Interest ............................................617

8C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Katawas Gold Area of Interest ....................................................................642

9A. Summary of the Karnak-Khanjar Mercury Area of Interest............................................................................665

9B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Karnak-Khanjar Mercury Area of Interest............................693

9C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Karnak-Khanjar Mercury Area of Interest....................................................729

10A. Summary of the Kundalan Copper and Gold Area of Interest .......................................................................747

10B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Kundalan Copper and Gold Area of Interest .......................778

10C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Kundalan Copper and Gold Area of Interest ...............................................835
viii

Volume II

11A. Summary of the Nalbandon Lead and Zinc Area of Interest..........................................................................851

11B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Nalbandon Lead and Zinc Area of Interest..........................895

11C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Nalbandon Lead and Zinc Area of Interest..................................................933

12A. Summary of the North Takhar Gold Placer Area of Interest..........................................................................951

12B. Geohydrologic Summary of the North Takhar Gold Placer Area of Interest..................................................969

13A. Summary of the Panjsher Valley Emerald, Iron, and Silver Area of Interest .................................................987

13B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Panjsher Valley Emerald, Iron, and Silver Area of Interest 1017

13C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Panjsher Valley Emerald, Iron, and Silver Area of Interest ....................... 1046

14A. Summary of the Tourmaline Tin Area of Interest......................................................................................... 1061

14B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Tourmaline Tin Area of Interest......................................... 1078

14C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Tourmaline Tin Area of Interest................................................................. 1096

15A. Summary of the Zarkashan Copper and Gold Area of Interest ................................................................... 1113

15B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Zarkashan Copper and Gold Area of Interest.................... 1154

15C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Zarkashan Copper and Gold Area of Interest ........................................... 1206

16A. Introduction to Industrial Minerals ............................................................................................................... 1227

16B. Cement in Afghanistan................................................................................................................................ 1243

17A. Summary of the Baghlan Clay and Gypsum Area of Interest...................................................................... 1271

17B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Baghlan Clay and Gypsum Area of Interest ...................... 1284

17C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Baghlan Clay and Gypsum Area of Interest.............................................. 1303

18A. Summary of the Bakhud Fluorite Area of Interest ....................................................................................... 1320

18B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Bakhud Fluorite Area of Interest........................................ 1328

18C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Bakhud Fluorite Area of Interest ............................................................... 1347

19A. Summary of the Dudkash Industrial Minerals Area of Interest .................................................................... 1363

19B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Dudkash Industrial Minerals Area of Interest..................... 1382

19C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Dudkash Industrial Minerals Area of Interest ............................................ 1401

20A. Summary of the Ghunday-Achin Magnesite and Talc Area of Interest........................................................ 1420

20B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Ghunday-Achin Magnesite and Talc Area of Interest................................ 1435

21A. Summary of the Khanneshin Carbonatite Area of Interest .......................................................................... 1455

21B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Khanneshin Carbonatite Area of Interest .......................... 1476

21C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Khanneshin Carbonatite Area of Interest .................................................. 1500

22A. Summary of the Kunduz Celestite Area of Interest ..................................................................................... 1521

22B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Kunduz Celestite Area of Interest...................................... 1535

22C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Kunduz Celestite Area of Interest ............................................................. 1550

23A. Summary of the North Herat Barium and Limestone Area of Interest ......................................................... 1568

23B. Hyperspectral Mapping Analysis of parts of the North Herat Barium and Limestone Area of Interest......... 1580

23C. Geohydrologic Summary of the North Herat Barium and Limestone Area of Interest ................................. 1610

24A. Summary of the Nuristan Pegmatite Area of Interest.................................................................................. 1630

24B. Geohydrologic Summary of the Nuristan Pegmatite Area of Interest.......................................................... 1654

25A. Summary of the South Helmand Travertine Area of Interest....................................................................... 1673

25B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the South Helmand Travertine Area of Interest....................... 1725

25C. Geohydrologic Summary of the South Helmand Travertine Area of Interest............................................... 1741

26A. Summary of the Takhar Evaporite Area of Interest ..................................................................................... 1760

26B. Analysis of Imaging Spectrometer Data for the Takhar Evaporite Area of Interest ..................................... 1776

26C. Geohydrologic Summary of the Takhar Evaporite Area of Interest ............................................................. 1795
ix

Appendixes

[The appendixes are not printed. A DVD in the pocket of volume I contains the whole report, including appendixes 1–3]

Appendix 1. Inventory Spreadsheets for Data Packages Compiled for Each Area of Interest.

Appendix 2. Streamflow Statistics at Ungaged Sites in Areas of Interest.

Appendix 3. Groundwater Hydrographs at or Near Areas of Interest.
Conversion Factors

Multiply By To obtain

 Length

millimeter (mm) 0.03937 inch (in.)

centimeter (cm) 0.3937 inch (in.)

meter (m) 3.281 foot (ft) 

kilometer (km) 0.6214 mile (mi)

 Area

2 square centimeter (cm )

2 square meter (m )

2 square kilometer (km )

0.1550

10.76

247.1

square inch (in2) 

square foot (ft2) 

acre

 Volume

3 cubic meter (m ) 35.31 cubic foot (ft3

)

 Flow rate

3 cubic meter per second (m /s) 70.07 acre-foot per day (acre-ft/d) 

cubic meter per second per square kilometer 2 [(m3

/s)/km ] 

91.49 cubic foot per second per square mile 

[(ft3/s)/mi2] 

 Mass

gram (g) 0.03527 ounce avoirdupois (oz)

kilogram (kg) 2.205 pound avoirdupois (lb)

megagram (Mg) [metric ton (t)] (1,000 kg) 1.102 ton, short (2,000 lb)

Temperature in degrees Celsius (°C) may be converted to degrees Fahrenheit (°F) as follows:

°F=(1.8×°C)+32

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows:

°C=(°F-32)/1.8

x