Ministry of Mines and Industries of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan Afghanistan Geological Survey

Geology and Mineral Resources of Afghanistan

Book 2 Mineral Resources of Afghanistan

Report Series Published by BGS 2008

Ministry of Mines and Industries of the Democratic Republic of Afghanistan Afghanistan Geological Survey

Geology and Mineral Resources of Afghanistan

Book 2 Mineral Resources of Afghanistan

Editors in chief SH Abdullah, V. M. Chmyriov Executive editor V. I. Dronov

Report Series Published by BGS 2008

BRITISH GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

The full range of Survey publications is available from the BGS Sales Desks at Nottingham, Edinburgh and London; see contact details below or shop online at www.geologyshop.com Kingsley Dunham Centre, Keyworth, Nottingham, NG12 5GG 0115936 3100 e-mail: sales@bgs.ac.uk www.bgs.ac.uk Murchison House, West Mains Road, Edinburgh EH9 3LA 0131667 1000 e-mail: scotsales@bgs.ac.uk Maclean Building, Crowmarsh Gifford, Wallingford, Oxfordshire OX10 8BB 01491838800 Natural History Museum, Cromwell Road, London SW7 5BD 0207589 4090 e-mail: bgslondon@bgs.ac.uk Forde House, Park Five Business Centre, Harrier Way, Sowton, Exeter EX2 7HU 01392445271 Geological Survey of Northern Ireland, Colby House, Stranmillis Court, Belfast BT9 5BF 0289038 8462 Columbus House, Greenmeadow Springs, Tongwynlais, Cardiff CF15 7NE 0292052 1962

Bibliographic Reference Abdullah, Sh and Chmyriov, V M (editors in chief). 2008. Geology and Mineral Resources of Afghanistan. 2 Volumes. British Geological Survey Occasional Publication No.15. Printed by Halstan & Co. Ltd., Amersham, Bucks, England BGS Production Team: Compiler, Amanda Hill, Illustrations, Paul Lappage and Henry Holbrook, Print Production, James Rayner

Editorial Board: Sh.Abdullah, N.Azimi, A.Arsalang, M.Girowal, V.I.Dronov, A.Kh.Kafarsky, A.Salah, N.Sobat, K.F.Stazihilo-Alekseev, G.I.Teleshev, M.Hamid, A.Hashmat, V.M.Chmriov

CONTENTS
PREFACE PREFACE TO THE 2008 VERSION INTRODUCTION (V.M. Chmyriov) Chapter 1 Genetic types and ore formations of mineral deposits and occurrences in Afghanistan. Magmatic mineral deposits. (V.M. Chmyriov) Pegmatitic deposits. (V.M. Chmyriov, L.N. Rosaovsky) Carbonatite deposits. (V.M. Chmyriov, G.K. Yeriomenko) Skarn deposits. (V.M. Chmyriov) Hydrothermal deposits. (V.M. Cbayriov) Pyrite deposits. (V.M. Chmyriov) Metamorphogenic mineral deposits. (V.M. Chmyriov) Sedimentary mineral deposits. (M.A. Chalyan, V.I. Dronov) Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8 Chapter 9 Metallogenetic epochs. (V.M. Chmyriov) Metallogenetic zoning of Afghanistan. (V.M. Chmyriov) General regularities in the distribution of endogenetic mineralization in Afghanistan. (V.M. Chmyriov) Oil and gas potential. (S.I. Kulakov) Coal potential. Hydrogeology of Afghanistan. (E.P. Malyarov) Mineral and commercial waters. (B.A. Kolotov) Catalogue of mineral deposits, occurrences, showings and mechanical mineralogical haloes. Fuels. (K.F. Stazhilo-Alekseev, S.I. Kulakov) Metallic minerals. (D.M. Chmyriov, L.N. Rossovsky, K.F. Stazhilo-Alekseev, G.I. Teleshev) Non-metallic minerals. (V.M. Chmyriov, G.I. Teleshev, L.N. Rossovsky, K.F. Stazhilo-Alekseev) Salts. (B.K. Lyubimov, M.K. Maywand) Gems and decorative stones. (L.N. Rossovsky, K.F. Stazhilo-Alekseev) Optical material. (K.F. Stazhilo-Alekseev) Building stones. (B.K. Lyubimov, M.K. Maywand). Mineral waters. (E.P. Malyarov) vi vii 1 2 2 2 9 11 15 25 26 29 34 36 53 59 64 70 87 95 95 102 199 211 212 214 216 222

TABLES FIGURES REFERENCES ANNEXES (located in a separate folder at the back of this volume).

239 269 284

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List of Figures
Figure 1 Geological cross section through the Sarobay Muscovite Deposit (after O.N. Filippov, 1974). Figure 2 Geological sketch map and cross section through the Jamanak Lithium Deposit (after L.N. Rossovskiy). Figure 3 Geological sketch map of the central segment of the Parun Field of Rare-Metal Pegmatites (after. G.K. Eriomenko and L.N. Rossovskiy, 1974). Figure 4 Geological sketch map and cross section through the Khanneshin Carbonatite Volcano (after G.K. Eriomenko, 1975). Figure 5 Geological sketch map of the Maghn Tin Occurrence (after V.S. Kirichek, 1974).

Figure 6 Geological map and cross section through the central and northern segments of the "Tourmaline" Tin Deposit (after M.F. Rulkovskiy, 1971). Figure 7 Sketch map of the Okhankashan Copper and Gold Occurrence (after Yu. I. Shcherbina, 1974).

Figure 8 Geological map and cross section through the Bakhud Fluorite Deposit (after V.A. Avtonomov, 1976). Figure 9 Geological sketch map and cross section through the Shaida Pyritiferous Copper Deposit (after A.G. Kovalenko, 1973). Figure 10 Geological cross section through the central area of the Aynak Copper Deposit (after V.M. Chmyriov, 1975). Figure 11 Sketch geological map of the Chorqala bauxite occurrence (after S.S. Karapetov et al. 1969).

Figure 12 Geological sketch map-and cross section through the Obatu-Shela Bauxite Deposit (after Yu. M. Dovgal et al., 1971). Figure 13 Scheme of Hydrogeological zoning of Afghanistan (after E.P. Malyarov and V.M. Chmyriov, 1976). Figure 14 Distribution of anomalous concentrations of chemical elements in mineral waters of Afghanistan (compiled by B.A. Kolotov, 1977). Figure 15 Administrative division of Afghanistan as of January, 1972.

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List of Tables
Table 1 Table 2 Table 3 Table 4 Table 5 Table 6 Table 7 Table 8 Table 9 Table 10 Table 11 Table 12 Table 13 Types of mercury occurrences. Metallogenetic epoch of Afghanistan. Metallogenetic zones and ore districts of Afghanistan. Relationship between endogenic mineralization and intrusives. Types of tin ore formations. Coal reserves at the main coal deposits and occurrence of the North Afghanistan Basin. Distribution of coal beds by coal accumulation epochs in the Darrah-i-Suf District. Quality of coals From Darrah-I-Suf and Sabzak districts. Coal seams of the Pule-Khumri coal district. Quality of coal from the Pule Khumri coal district. Coal Seams in the Narin-Chal-Namakab coal district. Quality of coal from Narin-Chal-Namakab district. Water yield of Quaternary aquifers from the North Afghanistan Artesian Basin.

Table 14 Water yield from deep wells drilled through Cretaceous deposits underlying the Mazare Sharif Artesian Basin. Table 15 Formational pressure in the Upper Jurassic and Hauterivian oil-bearing strata.

Table 16 Pumping test data obtained from wells drilled through the Neogene Aquifer system within the Aynak Depression. Table 17 Table 18 Table 19 Table 20 Water yield of Precambrian crystalline rocks in exploratory adits of the Darband Deposit. Water yield of Precambrian crystalline rocks in exploratory wells of the Aynak Deposit. Water yield of the Quaternary aquifers in the South Afghanistan Artesian Region. General characteristics of mineral waters of Afghanistan.

Table 21 Characteristics of carbonated springs in various belts and zones of Afghanistan (After V V Kurennoi, V I Belyanin, and B A Kolotov). Table 22 Table 23 Table 24 Table 25 Characteristics of nitrous thermal water springs of Afghanistan. Characteristics of some sulfur water springs. Characteristics of mineral water springs found in oxidation environment Isotopic analysis of carbonated mineral waters in the Central Panjaw-Gorband Panjsher Zone

Table 26 Main ore districts and mineral deposits of Afghanistan and microelement composition of carbonated water in the vicinity of the deposits Table 27 Characteristics of commercial rare-metal-bearing waters from Middle Afghanistan

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List of maps, labelled as Annexes 1 to 9. These are located in a separate folder at the back of this volume.
Annex 1 Scheme of metallogenetic zoning of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000. Annex 2 Map of ore deposits and occurrences of ferrous metals and fuel minerals of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000. Annex 3 Map of mineral deposits and occurrences of tin, tungsten, molybdenum and bismuth of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000. Annex 4 Map of mineral deposits and occurrences of mercury, rare and precious metals of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000. Annex 5 Map of mineral deposits and occurrences of non-ferrous metals of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000. Annex 6 Map of mineral deposits and occurrences of non-metallic minerals of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000. Annex 7 Annex 8 Annex 9 Hydrogeological map of Afghanistan, scale 1:2,000,000. Map of mineral waters of Afghanistan, scale 1:2,000,000. Map of mineral and fresh (in deserts) water springs of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000.

PREFACE
This book describes all the deposits, occurrences and dispersion haloes of minerals discovered in Afghanistan up to January 1, 1977. It is based on the results of the geological survey and prospecting carried out by Soviet and Afghan geologists from 1958 to 1977. Account is also taken of all the known work on minerals carried out by Afghan and West European geologists in the late nineties and in the first half of this century (up to the sixties). The description is based on a Map of Mineral Resources on a 1:500,000 scale compiled for the first time for the whole of Afghanistan. The map was published in 1978 by the Leningrad cartographic factory. The book consists of two parts. The first part (Chapters I - VIII) deals with genetic types and ore formations of deposits and occurrences in Afghanistan, metallogenic epochs, metallogenic zoning and general patterns of endogenous mineralization distribution, oil and gas potentials and the presence of coal, as well as hydrogeological conditions, mineral and industrial waters. The second part (Chapter II) presents a catalogue of deposits, occurrences and mechanical mineralogical haloes of minerals in Afghanistan. The bibliography consists of 161 items. The book contains 27 tables and 15 plates. Graph Annexes: 1, Scheme of Metallogenetic Zoning of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000; 2, Map of Deposits and occurrences of Ferrous Metals and Fuel Minerals of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000; 3, Map of Deposits and Occurrences of Tin, Tungsten, Molybdenum and Bismuth of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000; 4,- Map of Deposits and Occurrences of Mercury, Rare and Noble Metals of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000; 5,- Map of Deposits and Occurrences of Non Ferrous Metals of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000; 6,- Map of Deposits and Occurrences of Non-Metallic Minerals of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000; 7, Hydrogeological Map of Afghanistan, scale 1:200,000; 8, Map of Mineral Waters of Afghanistan, scale 1:2,000,000; 9, Map of Mineral and Fresh (in deserts) Water Springs of Afghanistan, scale 1:4,000,000. The book is intended for geologists engaged in mineral surveys in the Middle East, the whole Mediterranean Folded Belt and adjacent areas. It may also serve as a geological handbook for students and post-graduates studying the minerals of Afghanistan.

vi

PREFACE TO THE 2008 ENGLISH VERSION OF VOLUME TWO

The Geology and Mineral Resources of Afghanistan was compiled and written as a collaborative work between the Afghanistan Geological Survey and the Soviet Geological Mission. It represents the synthesis of 20 years of joint Afghan-Soviet geological investigations and earlier German and French studies, and in 1980 was formally published in Russian by NEDRA Moscow, in two volumes. These volumes were translated into English by a group of Professors at the University of Kabul, although the documents were not published and the manuscripts archived in the Afghanistan Geological Survey Library. This version of Volume 2 is a reissue of the English translation, prepared by the British Geological Survey in 2007 as part of an institutional strengthening project for the Afghanistan Geological Survey, funded by the United Kingdom Department for International Development. A hardback version of Volumes 1 and 2 is accompanied by a folder containing maps and correlation charts. Volume 2 is also issued in CD form to accompany a softback version of Volume 1. The technical and scientific content and text is unaltered from the original and consequently some of the terminology may be unfamiliar and outdated. Minor reformatting, consistent with a modern, electronically produced publication, has been made. The diagrams also remain unaltered from the original Russian publication, and the original large format maps found in the annexes of the original have been scanned and re-printed without change.

Acknowledgements The following British Geological Survey staff have been involved in the production of this volume: Sarah Arkley, Antony Benham, Stan Coats, Richard Ellison, Henry Holbrook, Paul Lappage, Bob McIntosh, Paul McDonnell and Igor Rojkovic. All staff in the Archive Section of the Afghanistan Geological Survey are thanked for their part in safeguarding the original manuscript through many years of turmoil and conflict.

Mr Abdul Wasy Director General Afghanistan Geological Survey November 2007

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INTRODUCTION
This book is the second volume of "Geology and Mineral Resources of Afghanistan". The first volume deals, in addition to general problems, with stratified and intrusive rock units, as well as with the structural features of Afghanistan. The second volume deals exclusively with the country's mineral resources. Until very recently information on mineral resources of Afghanistan was rather scanty. Geological survey and prospecting carried out in the period between 1958 and 1977 by Soviet and Afghan geologists have yielded ample information on the mineral potential of the country. Numerous geological data published in the interim and progress reports have not been systematised or analysed from the regional viewpoint. The authors have tried to combine all the information available on the mineral re-sources of Afghanistan and present it in this paper. To ensure appropriate trends of prospecting, the authors give in this book, an adequate description of all the revealed regularities of different kinds of mineralization. The description is based on the Map of Mineral Resources of Afghanistan, scale 1:500,000, compiled for the first time for the whole country (21), as well as on a number of specialized maps at a scale of 1:2,000,000 and 1:4,000,000 (Appendices Nos. 1-9). The metallogeny of Afghanistan has been only generally considered by many authors (114, 115, 138, 139, 152, 153). The first attempt to summarize the evidence available on the mineral resources is compilation of Map of Mineral Resources, scale 1:1,000,000 and the explanatory note to it compiled by Soviet and Afghan geologists in 1973 and edited by V.M. Chmyriov and S.H. Mirzad (37, 149). This work presents a systematic, genetically based description of mineral deposits and occurrences and gives an assessment of the prospects of potential ore districts, as well as recommendations on further prospecting and exploration activities in the country. The summaries on the stratigraphy, tectonics and magmatism of Afghanistan made by Sh. Abdullah, V.I. Dronov, A.Kh. Kafarsky, I.M. Sborshchikov, V.I. Slavin, K.F. Stazhilo-Alekseev, V.M. Chmyriov and others (45, 144, 48, 50, 38, 132 et al.) served as the basis for the metallogenetic analysis of the country. The data obtained by the Soviet and Afghan geologists on the metallogeny of the country are presented in their publications. These deal with the geology and distribution patterns of the fields of rare-metal pegmatite. (122-128, 26) deposits and occurrences of tin (25), mercury (27), copper (20,31), uranium and rare earths (155, 160), and fluorite (8). Metallogenetic zoning, ore formations, metallogenetic epochs, metallogenetic classification of the igneous complexes in Afghanistan and association of the mineralization with magnetism have been discussed in other papers (87, 115, 147, 148, 29 and others). This work is based on evidence collected by the authors over many years of their work in Afghanistan, as well as on previous publications. The authors have, in particular, used the geological survey results obtained by Y.P. Azhipa et al. (10), Sh.Sh. Denikayev at al. (39, 41), A.B. Diomin (42), Yu.M. Dovgal et al. (42), V.I. Dronov et al. (43-46), A.Kh. Kafarsky et al. (71-73), S.S. Karapetov et al. (75, 76), V.P. Kolchanov et al. (81), A.Ya. Kochetkov (75, 43, 44, 45, 76), Yu.M. Koshelev et al. (86), K.Ya. Mikhailov et al. (102, 103), Y.M. Moraliov et al. (106), L.N. Rossovsky (40, 41, 120), L.M. Sborshchikov et al. (129, 130), V.I. Slavin et al. (142), K.F. Stazhilo-Alekseev (74, 75), I.I. Sonin (75, 42), D.A. Starshinin et al. (146), V.P. Feoktistov (29-41), M.A. Chalyan (42), A.S. Shadchinev et al. (134, 135) and others; prospecting and exploration were contributed to by V.A. Avtonomov et al. (9), I.I. Galchenko et al. (55), G.K. Eriomenko (159), V.I. Efimenko et al. (157, 158), O.N. Kabakov et al. (69), V.S. Kirichek et al. (79), L.E. Kornev et al. (84, 85), I.K. Kusov et al. (90), K.I. Litvinenko et al. (91-93), G.A. Orlov et al. (112, 113), G.G. Semionov et al. (133), R.M. Khasanov et al. (78), Yu.I. Shcherbina et al. (140, 141) and others. Because of the different amount of details contained in the studies, as well as the shortage of information, available on a number of mineral deposits and occurrences, some of the conclusions and recommendations that follow should be considered preliminary.

Chapter 1 GENETIC TYPES AND ORE FORMATIONS OF MINERAL DEPOSITS AND OCCURRENCES IN AFGHANISTAN
The term ore formation used in formation analysis implies a group of ore deposits of similar mineral composition formed under essentially identical conditions [52]. Ore formations are occasionally subdivided into mineral types, since some deposits included in the same formation have different mineralogical and geochemical properties. The mineral deposits of Afghanistan are classified as magmatic, pegmatitic, carbonatitic, skarn, hydrothermal, metamorphogenic and sedimentary types. These genetic types include various ore formations [30, 37] (Appendices 2-6). The metallogenic zones and ore districts mentioned below are shown in Appendix 1.

Magmatic Mineral Deposits The magmatic mineral deposits of Afghanistan are genetically associated with ultrabasic rocks (chromite formation) and basic rocks (magnetite-ilmenite formation). Chromite formation Chromite ore deposits and occurrences are found in massifs of Eocene ultrabasic rocks in the Region of Alpine Folding (e.g. Logar, Shodal and other deposits). These are confined to the differentiated massifs of ultrabasic rocks [130, 141], whose lower portions are composed of dunite, grading upwards into pyroxenite (30, 130). Lens-like chromite ore bodies are commonly localized in dunites and exhibit well-defined boundaries with the country rocks. The ore contains from 42.4 to 53.5 per cent chromium oxide. The ore can be classified into the following principal types: massive, nodular and disseminated, all being mediumgrained in texture. The major mineral association found in the deposits and occurrences of this formation consists of chromite, magnesio-chromite, olivine, spinel, enstatite, magnetite, serpentine, garnet, chromechlorite, talc, opal, and chalcedony. Apart from the Eocene ultrabasic rocks, Early Carboniferous-Permian and Early Cretaceous ultrabasic rocks have also been found in Afghanistan. The former are associated with the Hercynian geosyncline, and the latter, with the deep fault zones of the South Afghanistan Median Mass. Chromite ore occurrences are associated with the Early Cretaceous ultrabasic rocks, but no commercial concentrations were discovered and these are generally considered unpromising [107]. Magnetite-ilmenite formation The mineral occurrences of this formation are associated with Early Cretaceous differentiated massifs of gabbro-monzonite-diorite composition extending in Proterozoic rocks along the Paghman fault block (the Paghman ore deposit and others). The ore bodies are lens-like and tabular, consisting of magnetite, ilmenite, anatase, brookite, apatite and minerals of the country basic rocks. The iron content of the ores varies from 25 to 50 per cent, and that of titanium oxide from 1 to 5 per cent. Occurrences of the magnetite-ilmenite formation associated with Early Cretaceous basic rocks have also been established in the Nurestan Block [40].

Pegmatitic Deposits Pegmatites are widely distributed in Afghanistan, occurring mainly in median masses. There are muscovite, rare-metal-muscovite and rare-metal pegmatite formations. Muscovite pegmatite formation Muscovite pegmatites are in a close spatial relationship with Proterozoic rocks metamorphosed under the conditions of the kyanite-muscovite-quartz subfacies of the amphibolite facies. These occur primarily in the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass and in the north of the South Afghanistan Median Mass. All the know muscovite pegmatite fields are confined to the domes and limbs of anticlinal folds. It has been established

[53] that commercial muscovite-bearing pegmatite bodies are essentially of plagioclase composition and occur only in biotite and garnet-biotite plagiogneiss (Sarobay, Tokana and other deposits). The Sarobay deposit [53] includes three types of pegmatite vein: (1) mica-bearing plagioclase pegmatite of an undifferentiated structure, containing commercial muscovite concentrations; (2) large bodies of undifferentiated fine-grained microcline-plagioclase pegmatites with near-contact micaceous zones (of no commercial value); (3) mica-free dyke-shaped pegmatite bodies of plagioclase-microcline-tourmaline composition. The muscovite pegmatites of the first type are lenticular, tubular and laminar (Fig.1). These vary from 10 to 120 metres in length, from 0.5 to 10 m in thickness and extend from 6 to 27 metres down the dip. The contacts between the veins and country rocks are distinct. Pegmatites of quartz muscovite replacement and pegmatoid bodies may be found. In the former, muscovite occurs in short, columnar, platy, hexahedral crystals, 3 to 4 centimetres thick, and up to 15 centimetres across. The pegmatoid bodies may have large wedge-shaped muscovite crystals 20 by 20 centimetres in size and 5 to 7 centimetres in thickness. These are confined to the boundary between the quartz core and granular feldspar aggregate. Apart from quartz, oligoclase, and muscovite, both pegmatite varieties contain schorl, almandine, biotite and apatite. The specific structural pattern of the Sarobay deposit is typical of other deposits and occurrences of muscovite pegmatites. Formation of rare-metal muscovite pegmatites The deposits of this formation are associated with pegmatite fields in exocontact zones of Oligocene granite batholiths (Paghman complex, Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass). The pegmatite bodies of the Pachagan deposit occur in Proterozoic gneiss and para-amphibolite. These fall into three classes according to the type of mineralization and structural patterns (1) zonal pegmatites with muscovite-beryl mineralization; (2) intensively albitized massive pegmatites with finely disseminated beryl mineralization; (3) barren pegmatite bodies of a massive, locally zonal structure. The pegmatite bodies are sheet-like in shape, varying in thickness from 0.3 to 10 metres and in length from 40 to 1,000 metres. The pegmatite bodies have distinct contacts with the country rocks. The structural pattern of the pegmatite bodies of the first type is complex. At the contact, fine-grained pegmatite occurs, grading into a coarse-grained variety. The cores of the veins are composed of quartz and feldspar blocks. In the albitized zones, the quartz content goes up to 40 per cent, and beryl crystals up to 30 centimetres in diameter are encountered. Apart from the basic minerals, the pegmatites of this type include minor quantities of biotite, almandine, schorl, apatite and zircon. The size of the muscovite crystals varies from 10 to 100 sq. cm. Formation of rare-metal pegmatites Large fields of rare-metal pegmatites with commercial concentrations of tantalum, niobium, lithium, cesium, beryllium, tin and precious stones were discovered and to a certain extent studied (120, 122-128). The pegmatite fields are widespread mainly in the Nurestan-Pamir, and to a lesser extent in the South Afghanistan Median Mass, where they are spatially and genetically associated with the granitic batholiths of the Laghman and Helmand complexes. Rare-metal pegmatites also occur in the Region of Hercynian Folding, where they are closely associated with granitic rocks of the third phase of the Hendukush complex. The rare-metal pegmatite veins found in the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass are associated with the biotitic and binary granites of the third phase of the Laghman complex. The host rocks for the rare metal pegmatites are represented by phyllite-like quartz-micaceous schists containing andalusite, cordierite, garnet and staurolite. Less common are pegmatite veins in diorite and granodiorite massifs of the first phase of the Laghman complex; in garnet-sillimanite-biotite gneiss and marmorized limestone these are even less widespread. The largest and most intensively mineralized pegmatite bodies are generally localized in phyllite-like schists. The morphology of the rare-metal pegmatite bodies exhibits a great variety, but most common are veins with swells and tabular bodies. The pegmatite bodies also vary greatly in size: from 1 to 60 metres in thickness and from a few dozen of metres to 2-5 kilometres in length. Some of the bodies are very large: for instance, vein No. 8 (albite pegmatite with lepidolite and spodumene) from the Nilaw field extends for 4 kilometres, with the average width of 4 metres; the spodumene-albite pegmatite vein of the Drumgal deposit extends for more than 1,500 metres, averaging 30 metres in width; the albitized microcline pegmatite vein from Kulam, enclosing lepidolite and spodumene pockets, extends for more than 3,000 metres, varying from 5 to 40 metres in width.

The internal structure of the pegmatite bodies is massive, banded, zonal or slightly zonal. The zonal structure may only be observed in bodies of poorly replaced microcline pegmatites. The rare metal pegmatites of Afghanistan are subdivided into the following main types according to the principal rock-forming and typomorphic minerals; (1) oligoclase-microcline biotite-muscovite pegmatites with schorl and some beryl (barren); (2) albitized microcline pegmatites with schorl, muscovite and beryl (coarse-crystalline hand-sortable beryl ore); (3) albitized microcline pegmatites with pockets of blue cleavelandite, lepidolite, spodumene and polychromatic tourmaline (deposits of kunzite, vorobyevite, tourmaline and rock crystal); (4) albite pegmatite :with lepidolite, tantalite, spodumene and pollucite pockets (tantalum ore); (5) spodumene-microcline-albite and spodumene-albite (spodumene) pegmatites (rich lithium ore); (6) lepidolite-spodumene-albite pegmatites with polychromatic tourmaline, tantalite and pollucite (cesium and tantalum-cesium ores). A certain pattern has been established in the distribution of different pegmatite veins with respect to the massifs: as the distance from the granites increases, the veins of essentially microcline pegmatites are successively replaced by albite, spodumene-albite and lepidolite-spodumene-albite pegmatites. The rare metal pegmatite veins within the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass occur in fields with an area ranging from 10 to 800 sq. km: 21 fields of this kind are already known. Dozens, or less commonly hundreds, of the rare-metal pegmatite veins occur within the fields. Three structural types of fields can be distinguished: (1) those consisting of tabular, gently-dipping veins normally found in gabbro-diorite massifs, where the veins are mostly confined to the contraction fissures developed in the endocontact zones. Such veins are less common in gneiss; (2) fields of tabular, steeply dipping veins confined to deep-seated fracture zones in quartz-mica garnet-staurolite schists. The largest veins and veined zones of spodumene pegmatites may be encountered in the fields of this type; (3) ones with lenticular veins, generally imbedded in schists crowning dome-shaped granite massifs. Fields of the first and second types are most common. The strongly dissected topography of the Badakhshan, with relative elevations of 1,000 to 3,000 metres, makes it possible to trace the zonal arrangement of the ore deposits down the dip to a considerable depth. For instance, in the Jamanak ore deposit, (Fig. 2) a zone of steeply dipping spodumene bodies is exposed to a depth of 1,450 metres down the dip. Large tabular spodumene pegmatite bodies occur within an elevation range of 4,650 to 3,750 metres. Down the dip, from a level of 3,750 to 3,000 metres, these are replaced by albite pegmatites. The Drumgal deposit is exposed to a depth of 1,500 metres, where spodumene pegmatites are encountered within the elevation range of 4,000 to 3,400 metres. Downwards, within the 3,800-3,300 metre range, these grade into albite pegmatites including spodumene-albite in small pockets. The lowest interval of the veined zone consists of oligoclase-microcline biotite-muscovite pegmatites containing coarsecrystalline alkali-free beryl. The mineral composition of the rare-metal pegmatites in Afghanistan is complex. Microcline, quartz, albite, spodumene and petalite are the principal rock-forming minerals. Of secondary importance are muscovite, biotite, lepidolite, protolithionite, tourmaline, pollucite, amblygonite-montebrasite, triphylite-lithiophylite, triplite, lazurite-scorzalite, sicklerite, tegerosite, purpurite, almandine, spessartite, staurolite, andaluzite, sillimanite, scapolite, beryl and ankosine-gilbertite. Accessory minerals are represented by cassiterite, columbite, niobite-tantalite, tantalite-columbite, tantalite, mangano-tantalite, microlite, herderite, magnetite, ilmenite, sphene, zircon, monazite, xenotime, topaz, rutile and apatite. Of particular interest is the Tagawlor pegmatite field located in the Helmand zone in the margin of the South Afghanistan Median Mass. This is a linearly elongated, nearly east-west-trending zone of steeply dipping tabular pegmatite veins with spodumene pegmatites markedly prevailing. Microcline schorl-muscovite and cymatolite-albite pegmatites occur also. The pegmatite veins forming the field are found in the contact zone of a large massif of biotite granodiorites and granites of the Helmand Complex, primarily in Upper Proterozoic quartz-chlorite and quartz-chlorite-biotite schists. The pegmatite veins show a certain pattern in their spatial distribution. The veins of spodumene pegmatite are replaced by cymatolite-albite along the strike of the zone, from east to west. The veins of microcline schorl-muscovite pegmatite are widespread in exo- and endocontact zones, while the spodumene-pegmatite veins tend to be localized only in exocontact zones. 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 metres in length and from 1 to 20 metres in thickness, and exhibit distinct contacts with the country rocks. The zones of near-vein altered country rocks 4

do not extend more than 1-5 centimetres from the contact, the alteration consisting in a slight muscovitization and an increase in apatite and tourmaline content. The principal mineral assemblages composing the pegmatite bodies are as follows: spodumene-microcline-quartz-albite complex; microcline pseudomorphs of spodumene and quartz after petalite-albite; albite aggregate. The specific features of the Tagawlor spodumene pegmatites are given below: (1) a tabular shape and steep dip of the pegmatite bodies; (2) a banded, patchy or massive internal structure of the bodies with no zonal pattern; (3) half of the early spodumene consists of spodumene and quartz pseudomorphs after petalite, indicating that this was originally spodumene-petalite pegmatite; (4) the bands composed of the coarse-crystalline varieties of long-prismatic spodumene, microcline and quartz contain at least 15-25 per cent quartz; the bands composed of spodumene and quartz pseudomorphs after petalite and microcline include no quartz aggregates; the cleavelandite and lamellar albite aggregates replacing microcline, early spodumene and pseudomorphs of quartz and spodumene after petalite exhibit evidence of lithium redeposition resulting in the formation of peculiar, finegrained spodumene-albite and spodumene-amblygonite-albite aggregates; a replacement of spodumene by fine-grained ankosine-gilbertite aggregate is fairly common. The spodumene pegmatites of the Tagawlor field were formed in a linearly elongated deep fracture zone in hornfels and schists. The tabular shape, considerable extension and limited thickness of the pegmatite bodies suggest a high penetrating ability of pegmatite-forming melt solutions, owing to their fusibility and mobile character. The orientation of the long prismatic spodumene crystals as well as quartz and spodumene pseudomorphs after petalite perpendicular to the pegmatite body contacts indicates that crystallization of melt-solutions occurred in tension fissures under a certain lithostatic pressure typical of a given depth level [120]. Spodumene pegmatite veins may be found in a narrow band of quartz-feldspar-biotite hornfels, 1.01.5 kilometres wide, extending along the exocontact of the granite massif. The spodumene pegmatite veins are never encountered in schists, whose grade of metamorphism does not exceed that of green schists, nor in granites. Consequently, the thermodynamic conditions in the narrow zone of contact metamorphism were obviously most favourable for the formation of spodumene pegmatite veins, this allowing a rough estimation of the initial crystallization P-T conditions of pegmatite melt solutions. Judging by the composition of the hornfels, these conditions generally correspond to an amphibole-hornfels facies of contact metamorphism [126], characterized by pressures of several hundred to 3,000 atmospheres and temperatures of 500 to 600C. The Tagawlor spodumene pegmatites are noted for the banded alternation of spodumene and initially petalitic aggregates inside the pegmatite bodies. This can be explained by a variation of SiO2 concentration under similar P-T crystallization conditions. Subsequently, petalite becomes an unstable phase and changes normally into spodumene and quartz as the temperature drops. The initially petalite-spodumene composition of the Tagawlor pegmatites and subsequent transformation of petalite into spodumene and quartz suggest that these were formed at a relatively small depth (3.0-3.5 km) [121]. The large field of spodumene pegmatites discovered in the Helmand zone and the wide distribution of pegmatites and granites in the Helmand complex indicate that the Helmand-Argandab Uplift is promising source of rare metals. Distribution by rare metal The pegmatite fields of Afghanistan include veins with commercial concentrations of lithium, tantalum, cesium, beryllium, tin, precious stones and piezo-optical raw materials. 50 per cent of the fields discovered have pegmatite bodies with workable spodumene concentrations. Tantalum, beryllium and tin mineralization is less common. Cesium minerals, precious stones and piezo-optical raw materials have been found only in some of the veins. Lithium Commercial concentrations of lithium have been encountered in the Paron, Shamakat, Tagawlor, Eshkashem, Alingar, Marid and Nilaw-Kulam fields of rare-metal pegmatites. The Paron ore district, with an estimated 3 million tonnes of lithium oxide, is most extensive. The veined zones run for 2 to 7 kilometres in length, with a total thickness of the ore bodies up to 70 metres. Some of the veins, 20 to 40 metres thick, extend for 1.0-1.5 kilometres. The spodumene content in spodumene-albite ore varies from 15 to 35 per cent. The average content of lithium oxide in the deposits of the Paron ore plexus is 1.5 per cent. With respect to total lithium oxide reserves, Afghanistan comes second after Canada.

Tantalum Tantalum occurrences represented by tantalite, niobium-tantalite, manganotantalite and microlite have been found in the Nilaw-Kulam, Darrahe-Pech, Darrahe-Nur, Paron, Kantiwa, Shahidan, Alingar, Talbuzanak, Pachigran, Marid and other fields of rare metal pegmatites. As far as it is known at present, most promising for tantalum are albite pegmatites with pockets of spodumene, lepidolite and polychromic tourmaline occurring in Nilaw. The albite pegmatites are found in four flat-lying tabular bodies, each 2 to 7 metres thick and 3 to 4 kilometres long. Veins of similar composition occur in Darrahe-Pech. Some stretches of the gigantic zones of spodumene pegmatite veins from the Paron ore plexus (Pasgushta, Jamanak, Drumgal deposits) are highly promising for tantalum. These zones are very extensive: in places they are highly albitized and greisenized and contain rather high concentrations of tantalum minerals and cassiterite. For example, in the Drumgal deposit, the content of tantalum pentoxide is 0.06 per cent, the thickness of the spodumene vein averaging 30 metres and the tantalum niobium ratio being 5:1 [120]. The spodumene-microcline-cleavelandite pegmatites of the Wazgul deposit often contain tantalite crystals weighing 5-7 kg. The content of tantalum pentoxide in the spodumene veins of the Tagawlor pegmatite field averages 0.013 per cent, the tantalum-niobium ratio being 2.5:1. Analysis of the distribution of tantalum mineralization in the pegmatite fields of Afghanistan shows that, ceteris paribus, (favourable types of pegmatites and mineral assemblages), the flat lying pegmatite bodies are most promising for tantalum. The widespread tantalum mineralization, characteristic paragenesis of elements (lithium-tantalum-tincesium), extensive areas of lithium mineralization in spodumene pegmatites, and tantalum-bearing types of rare metal pegmatites suggest that the southern part of the Nurestan Pamir Median Mass is highly promising for tantalum. Cesium Cesium mineralization has been detected in seven pegmatite fields: Paron, Milaw-Kulam, Shamakat, Alingar, Surkh Rod, Darrah-Pech and Kurgal. The highest cesium content was found in the Tatang vein of the Surkh Rod field. Pollucite in this vein forms lenses, pockets and veinlets of fine-grained massive aggregates in the pollucite zone. Such inclusions are as large as 20 by 100 metres. The average pollucite content in the zone is 25-30 per cent and that of cesium oxide, 9 per cent. The lepidolite-amblygonite-albite veins from the Kalatan deposit have been found to contain 18 cu m pollucite blocks. As the cesium-bearing pegmatites have not been studied thoroughly, it is difficult to evaluate them commercially, but the flat-lying spodumene-microcline-cleavelandite veins are of some interest since they contain pollucite and tantalum, found in the Paron and Kantiwa fields and in the west of the Darrahe-Pech field. Beryllium The pegmatite fields of Nurestan contain all the varieties of beryl usually found in pegmatites early alkalifree beryl, sodium beryl, sodium-lithium beryl, lithium-cesium beryl and a number of rare beryllium minerals, such as herderite, moraesite and several beryllium phosphates so far unidentified. Commercially valuable pegmatite veins with coarse-crystalline beryl are found in the Nilaw-Kulam, Pachagan, DarrahePech and Darrahe-Nur fields. High concentrations of coarse-crystalline beryl have been encountered in albitized microcline veins from the Paron pegmatite field. The pegmatite fields of Eastern Afghanistan, particularly lithium deposits and large veins of albite pegmatites, have large amounts (dozens of thousands of tonnes) of poor, finely impregnated beryl ore containing 0.05-0,08 per cent beryllium oxide [109]. Precious stones and piezo-optical raw materials The chief precious stones found in rare-metal pegmatites include kunzite, variously coloured tourmaline, vorobyevite, aquamarine and emerald. Occurring in limited quantities, emerald is found in small veins of disiliconized pegmatites (Badel deposit). Kunzite is a very rare precious stone that is mined regularly only in Afghanistan. The rare-metal pegmatites of Afghanistan are unique with respect to the distribution and content of precious kunzite varieties. Kunzite occurs in the pegmatite bodies of the Nilaw-Kulam, DarrahePech and Kantiwa fields. The most valuable and largest kunzite accumulations have been found in the Kulam

pegmatite vein, which can undoubtedly be regarded as a unique deposit of this mineral. During the exploration of this deposit in 1974 alone over 1,000 kg of kunzite were recovered. The Kulam deposit is located at the eastern exocontact of a large binary granite massif within the NilawKulam pegmatite field. The rare-metal pegmatites are genetically associated with the granites. The pegmatite veins occur in gneiss, crystalline schist and gabbro-diorite. The gneiss and schist contain several hundred of concordant, steeply-dipping; pegmatite veins with bulges. About 70 veins in the gabbro-diorite are gentlydipping and tabular. According to their mineral composition, the veins are subdivided into the following types: (1) oligoclase-microcline with schorl and beryl; (2) albitized microcline with schorl and beryl; (3) albitized microcline with schorl, beryl, lepidolite, polychromatic tourmaline, spodumene, pollucite, kunzite and rock crystal; (4) albite with lepidolite, polychromatic tourmaline, spodumene, occasionally with kunzite; (5) lepidolite-spodumene-albite. The veins of the first and second types occur in crystalline schist and gneiss. The gabbro-diorite massif includes veins of the second, third, fourth and fifth types. As the distance from the source granite massif increases (north-southwards), the microcline pegmatite is replaced by the albite variety and, eventually, lepidolite-spodumene-albite veins. The Kulam deposit is the eastern mineralized portion, 1,200 metres long, of a large albitized microcline pegmatite vein running for approximately 4 kilometres. Numerous offshoots branch off from the main vein, which varies in thickness from 4 to 40 metres; the offshoots range from 2 to 10 metres in thickness and from 200 to 400 metres in length. The vein and offshoots occur in massive gabbro and gabbro-norite. The vein exhibits distinct contacts with the country rocks. The wall rock alterations are slight, the mafic minerals in gabbro being replaced by protolithionite and apatite within 1-3 centimetres from the contact. The Kulam vein, intricately and irregularly differentiated, is composed of the following mineral assemblages: (the volume of the vein is parenthesized) high albitized quartz-muscovite aggregates (2 per cent); biotite-microcline block pegmatite (10 per cent); quartz-microcline gigantic-block pegmatite (5 per cent); quartz-spodumene block pegmatite (2 per cent); albitized muscovitemicrocline block pegmatite (55 per cent); fine-grained aggregates of saccharoidal albite and cleavelandite with a quartz muscovite assemblage (18 per cent); muscovite-cleavelandite assemblage (5 per cent); mineralized pockets and zones with cavity fillers, actually aggregates of blue cleavelandite, lepidolite, polychromatic tourmaline, rock crystal, kunzite and other minerals (5 per cent). The internal structure of the main portion of-the gently-dipping vein-is asymmetric-zonal. Fine- and medium-grained aggregates of saccharoidal albite and cleavelandite with quarts muscovite replacement occur at the foot wall. Above, there is a zone of albitized muscovite-microcline pegmatite of a block-patch structure and, finally, at the upper contact of the vein, there is an intermittent zone composed of quartz-microcline pegmatite of a large- and gigantic-block structure, some microcline crystals reaching 5 m in size. The thickness of the above mentioned zones is a few metres, less often, dozens of metres, depending on the total thickness of the vein. Biotite-microcline block pegmatite occurs separately; composing the eastern portion of the vein, 150 m long. Quartz-spodumene large-block aggregates and beryl-rich patches are also locally distributed. The internal structure of the pegmatite body is characterized by an abundance of small (5-10 cm) cavities filled with poorly shaped quartz, microcline, muscovite and comb-like albite crystals. The mineralized pockets and zones enclosing aggregates of blue cleavelandite, lepidolite, polychromatic tourmaline, rock crystal and kunzite occur sporadically and are randomly distributed. The largest mineralized zone is localized in an offshoot of the vein. Two types of mineralized zone can be distinguished; the first is found in the albitized muscovite-microcline block pegmatite; the second, in the biotite-microcline block pegmatite. Zones of the first type are composed of inequigranular rock consisting of microcline and quartz blocks, as well as of white-pink disk-like spodumene crystals. The interstitial space between the microcline, quartz and spodumene is filled with aggregates of blue cleavelandite and lepidolite. The size of the microcline and quartz blocks varies from 10 to 100 cm in cross section, and that of the spodumene crystals from 0.5 by 1 by 3 to 4 by 5 by 70 cm. The rock under consideration is characterized by the constant presence of cavities, varying in size from 2-10 to 40-50 cm. In these cavities there are crystals of microcline, rock crystal, comb-like albite, cleavelandite, kunzite, pollucite and vorobyevite. In the most intensely mineralized cavities, the space between the large crystals of the minerals mentioned above is filled with porous, flaky aggregates of lepidolite, thin-fibre hair-like aggregates of light green tourmaline and white clay matter. Less common are cassiterite, mangano-tantalite, microcline (several varieties), acicular petalite, herderite and some unidentified tantalum minerals of a high specific weight.

The mineralized zones of the second type are confined to the cavities in the biotite-microcline block pegmatite occurring at the hanging wall of the vein. The diameter of the cavities ranges from 0.5 to 1.5-2.0 m. The microcline blocks surrounding the cavities at a distance of 0.5-0.7 m contain no graphic or apographic quartz intergrowths, well-developed crystals of them forming the walls of the cavities. Many microcline crystals are strongly leached out from inside the cavities. Rock crystals with a short-columnar habit grow, along with microcline, inwards into the cavities. These crystals are as large as 40 cm in length and 20 cm in diameter. Mineral aggregates consisting of blue laminated cleavelandite, muscovite, lepidolite, pink spodumene, vorobyevite, kunzite and pollucite generally occur inside the cavities, replacing microcline and growing on it. This mineral aggregate is distributed rather irregularly. Kunzite occurs in mineralized zones and pockets, inside the cavities and around them. It is found in paragenesis with lepidolite, blue cleavelandite, rock crystal, vorobyevite, and occasionally with pollucite. The largest amount of kunzite has been recovered from large cavities. The content of kunzite in the mineralized zones with cavities is irregular. Kunzite crystals are usually tabular (thick-tabular, short-prismatic, long prismatic, laminar and discoidal). The common forms of the crystals are (100), (110), (120), and (130). Well-developed crystals have a pronounced "head" of a (021), (111) or (221) form. Most crystals exhibit a well faceted vertical striation. The light-pink, transparent kunzite has Ng = 1.657, Nm = 1.662, Np - 1.658, Ng - Np = 0.017 and +2v = 56. The crystals of the jewellery kunzite from the Kulam deposit vary in size from 0.5 by 1.0 by 1.5 cm to 3 by 15 by 35 cm. The transparent kunzite crystals show a great variety in colours pink-violet, crimson, red-violet, cerise, greenish-lilac, lilac, dark bluish green, blue, bluish-green, green, yellowish-green and yellow. Polychromatic crystals with any combinations of the above shades, as well as transparent colourless crystals, are common. The transparent coloured crystals are noted for their marked dichroism, the crystals deepening in colour along the symmetry axis and being, almost colourless in the direction perpendicular to the axis. Two processes are responsible for the formation of kunzite crystals in the Kulam deposit. (1) Regeneration of white-pink spodumene found around and partly inside the cavities. The effect of residual hydrothermal solutions is responsible for the first process. As a result, white-pink spodumene was dissolved and in a way purified (regenerated). Inside a large, opaque, white-pink spodumene crystal, one or several smaller identically-oriented, transparent kunzite crystals are formed with a characteristic etch pattern. The ends of the crystals are dissolved first, thus allowing the formation of conspicuous etch pits on them. (2) Spontaneous crystallization in cavities. In the process, microcline crystals are overgrown with kunzite crystals; all the other minerals (comb-like cleavelandite crystals, rock crystal and vorobyevite crystals, lepidolite aggregates, pollucite crystals and aggregates) appear to have formed later than the kunzite. The study of a large number of the rare-metal pegmatite fields in Afghanistan has made it possible to establish the following indications of kunzite deposits: (1) kunzite deposits are formed in flat-lying pegmatite veins occurring in massive rocks, such as gabbro-diorite or quartz diorite; (2) kunzite-bearing pegmatite bodies consist of albitized microcline pegmatites including pockets and mineralized zones of lepidolite, polychromatic tourmaline and white-pink spodumene; (3) kunzite-bearing pegmatite bodies show an irregular internal structural pattern. These bodies are usually differentiated. They are notable for their block to gigantic-block structural pattern, as well as for the conspicuous development of small cavities. No kunzite is formed in pegmatite veins of a similar type occurring in schists and gneisses within the same fields. Neither does it occur in intensely mineralized spodumene lepidolite pegmatites containing polychromatic tourmaline, pollucite and tantalum minerals. Thus kunzite requires extremely stable conditions of pegmatite body formation and the presence of an appropriate content of volatiles and rare elements in the pegmatiteforming melt-solutions. Another genetic type of kunzite deposit is known from the Darrahe-Pech pegmatite field [120]. A small massif of aplite-like granite-albitite contains schlieren pegmatite with mineralized pockets (cavities), where high concentrations of blue cleavelandite, tantalite, lepidolite and kunzite have been detected. Coloured transparent tourmaline occurs in cavities found in the mineralized pockets inside albitized microcline pegmatite bodies. The paragenesis of the tourmaline is similar to that of kunzite. The transparent tourmaline and kunzite occur in the same pegmatite bodies. In addition, pegmatite veins containing only transparent tourmaline (with no kunzite) have been found at the Paprok deposit in the Kurgal pegmatite field and in the upper reaches of the Darya-i-Peshgul River, in the Paron pegmatite field. The transparent tourmaline varieties are green, blue and pink in colour. The crystals vary from 1 to 20 mm. in diameter and

from 10 to 120 mm. in length. Large pink-green transparent crystals reaching 7 cm in diameter and 35 cm in length are less common. The vorobyevite and aquamarine occurring in a genetic association with coloured tourmaline and kunzite are more rare than these minerals. The crystals of vorobyevite and aquamarine vary in size from 1 by 1 to 5 by 10 cm; they are transparent and translucent, of a beautiful cream and sky-blue colour. Piezo-optical quartz also occurs in genetic association with green tourmaline and kunzite inside the cavities and vugs in albitized pegmatites. The largest crystals of rock crystal have been found in the Kulam deposit and in the veins of the Kantiwa field. Some of the perfect crystals from the Kulam deposit attain 30-40 kg. in weight. The technological testing of the rock crystal has shown that these are suitable for the manufacture of piezo-optical articles.

Carbonatite Deposits During some special investigations performed by G.K. Yeriomenko, B.Ya. Vikhter, and V.M. Chmyriov, a volcanic carbonatite complex was identified in the central part of the late-orogenic Seystan Depression, filled with Neogene-Quaternary sediments [155, 160]. The Khanneshin carbonatite volcano is located in a slightly uplifted fault block. In the west and east, it is bounded by a S-N-trending fault system, whereas in the north, by an E-W trending fault. These deep-seated structures are distinguishable on a magnetic field map. Carbonatite volcanism may be assigned to the Early Quaternary on the basis of finds of Neogene rock xenoliths in the carbonatites, as well as the fact that the latest phonolites are overlain by Middle Quaternary sands. The investigation showed that some of the rock-types of the Khanneshin volcanic complex contain high concentrations of the elements commonly found in rare-earth carbonatites. These are phosphorus, iron, rareearths, barium, strontium, fluorine, niobium and lead. It was also found that commercial uranium ore was produced by the post-volcanic activity. The Khanneshin volcanic complex is composed mainly of carbonatites, which form a central-type volcanic cone, and leucitic phonolites that are the products of fissure eruptions. The Khanneshin volcanic structure is now an eroded volcano with a pronounced magma-conducting vent and relics of the tuff cone (Fig. 4). The central part of the volcano is a soevite stock, about 3 km in diameter. The stock is surrounded by an ankeritebarite carbonatite extrusion cutting the soevite and soevite-bearing xenoliths. The southern portion of the volcano contains three stock-like bodies of fine-grained calcite carbonatite-alvikite, traceable along the boundary between the soevite and ankerite-barite carbonatite. The bodies contact along faults; to the west and north-west from the stocks, relics of alvikite lava-breccia flows are found, and to the east and south, agglomerates of the same rocks can be observed. The old portions of the cone adjacent to the volcano consist of brick-red, thick-bedded carbonatite tuff. Further outward, there are orange ash carbonatite tuff and tuffite, a pronounced cross-bedding of which suggests a local redeposition of the material. The upper orange tuff beds include interlayers of green-coloured inequiclastic carbonatite tuff and tuff-conglomerate containing fragments and lapilli of soevite, alvikite, glimmerite, etc. At a distance of 3-10 km from the central volcano, the tuff grades into unconsolidated tuffaceous cross-bedded sandstone, cut through by steeply-dipping carbonatite dykes, 0.1 to 0.5 metres in thickness and more than 3 kilometres in length. To the south-east of the volcano, there are small outcrops of leucitic phonolite, which are outliers of a thin lava flow. A stock-like leucite phonolite body is associated with one of the outcrops. Thus, the volcanic complex consists of the following lithologo-petrographic varieties (from early to late ones): (1) carbonatite tuff and tuffite of the cone; (2) light-grey soevite of the central stock; (3) black ankerite-barite carbonatite of the extrusive ring, and associated lahar breccias; (4) grey compact alvikite of the minor extrusive stocks, lava-breccias of alvikite flows, thick-bedded tuff of the crater, and vent agglomerates; (5) carbonatite dykes; (6) leucite phonolite. Apart from the ferruginized carbonate material, the brick-red tuff and tuffite contain lithoclastic ankeritebearing soevite, crystalloclasts of carbonate, phlogopite, apatite and magnetite, and fragments of quartz, plagioclase, K-feldspar, microquartzite and siltstone. The prevailing medium-grained banded or spotted soevite contains large endogenic inclusions of gigantic-grained soevite, biotitic and phlogopitic glimmerite 9

and fenite. The medium grained soevite is of a blastoclastic texture, mainly consisting of the following minerals: calcite and barite (0-7%), reddish-brown biotite (3-10%), occasionally fine-flaky tetraferriphlogopite (0-10%), magnetite (3-5%), acmite (0-3%) and apatite (0-3%). Ankerite may be found locally. Pyrochlore, zircon and barite are accessory minerals. The glimmerite inclusions in the soevite reach several metres in diameter. These are of a biotite or phlogopite variety. Among the fenite inclusions, albite and K-feldspar varieties may be distinguished. The former is a melanocratic fine-grained rock consisting of albite (50-60%), amphibole (15-20%) and biotite (20-25%). It exhibits a porphyritic texture, with arfvedsonite phenocrysts, which is also of a porphyritic texture containing phenocrysts of orthoclase and alkaline amphibole. The groundmass consists of isometric orthoclase grains, acicular acmite, alkaline amphibole, apatite and calcite. Calcite and ankerite are the dominant constituents in the black ankerite barite carbonatite. Barite (5-50%) is found in aggregates of minute (0.1 mm.) idiomorphic crystals. Magnetite (5-25%) is martitized. fluorite (015%) fills small nests (up to 0.5 mm. in size). Aegirite (0.2%) occurs as rosette aggregates of acicular crystals. Phlogopite (0-5%) is fine-flaky, and galena is accessory. Glimmerite inclusions consist of phlogopite-bearing varieties. The northern portion of the volcanic cone includes a mantle-like body of a coarse breccia composed of soevite and ankerite-barite carbonatite fragments. Patches of flow layering and local accumulations of large lumps may be observed locally. This evidence indicates that these formations can be regarded as lahar ones. The alvikite of the extrusive bodies is a compact fine-grained rock abundant in various inclusions. Under the microscope, it exhibits a porphyritic texture. The phenocrysts are represented by calcite, monoclinic pyroxene, biotite, garnet, apatite, melilite and magnetite. Most of the phenocrysts are of a relict nature, bearing traces of the carbonatite melt. The carbonate groundmass of the rock is composed of fine-grained calcite. The alvikite contains large xenoliths of early phase carbonatites and numerous nodules of silicate rocks (garnetiferous and apatite-magnetite-pyroxene rocks), these made up of apatite (10-30%), magnetite (5-40%) and monoclinic pyroxene (40-60%) with accessory carbonate, biotite, garnet and K-feldspar. The garnetiferous rock consists of 60-80 per cent garnet, 10-40 per cent K-feldspar and small amounts of monoclinic pyroxene, biotite, carbonate, magnetite and apatite. Garnet and feldspar are commonly carbonatized. The rocks composing the carbonatite dykes may be divided into two groups. The first group includes massive alvikites similar to those mentioned above, and the second. dykes composed of porous calcitic carbonatite, which contains magnetite, aegirite and thin-flaky chlorite-like mineral. Leucitic phonolite has a porphyritic texture, the porphyric inclusions (50-70 per cent) consisting of leucite crystals 0.2-0.5 mm in size. The groundmass is composed of xenomorphic sanidine, aegirite, nepheline and carbonate. Considerable amounts of apatite are present in all the carbonatite rock types, the largest being found in alkivite (8.28 per cent). The apatite crystals vary in size from 0.1 to 5.0 mm or more. The mineral contains 0.4 per cent cerium, 0.08 per cent lanthanum, 0.5 per cent strontium, and 5.0 per cent barium. Thorium mineralization is associated with the barite-ankerite calcite carbonatite of the ring extrusion, with the carbonatite dykes and with the crush zones in Neogene red beds, where thorium-bearing carbonates are established, including berbankite and torbastnesite. These rocks are notable for their high concentrations of rare earths of the lanthanum and cerium group (1-13 per cent). The pyrochlore found in the soevite of the central stock and in the associated glimmerite forms idiomorphic transparent crystals, 0.2-0.5 mm in size, containing calcium, iron, barium, strontium, tantalum, sodium, uranium, thorium, cerium, lanthanum and vanadium. Barite and fluorite are important constituents of the ankerite carbonatite of the ring extrusion. Strontianite is present in the early soevite and in the ankerite carbonatite (2-7%). Magnetite is commonly intensely martitized, its content in the ankerite-barite carbonatite reaching 25 per cent. The products of the post-volcanic hydrothermal activity of the Khanneshin volcano represent the Khanneshin uranium deposit located in the south-west of the structure in Neogene terrigenous red beds [33, 80]. The red beds are intruded by nine carbonatite dykes 5-50 cm thick, running for 300-1,500 metres along radial fractures. The mineralization is confined to a steeply-dipping fault. The enclosing sandstone has undergone hydrothermal and metasomatic transformations in the fault zone thus giving, rises to replacement of the primary iron-clay-carbonate cement by dolomite-chlorite aggregate. Later, in the mineralization phase, uranium and uranium-bearing minerals 10

precipitated along the vertical N-W-trending fractures. Four ore bodies are known from the deposit. One of them is over 300 metres long and 14.2 to 58 metres thick. High uranium concentrations of sometimes more than 1 per cent of the metal are found in the patches abundant in fractures in the course-grained sandstone. The ore stringers 2 mm to 1.5 cm thick are symmetrically handed. Their outer parts are composed of dolomite bearing 0.5 per cent cerium, 0.4 per cent lantanum and 0.2 per cent barium. The cores consist of lamellar calcite aggregates, radial barium ursilite crystals, uranyl silicates (vicoite and boltwoodite ), galena and reniform spherical metauksite inclusions. In swells, the fractures often contain uranium-bearing chalcedony (hyalite) and aragonite. The chemical composition, averaged for 10 ore samples, was as follows: 46.53% SiO2, 5.76% MgO, 2.67% Fe2O3, 1.14% FeO, 5.78% Al2O3, 0.53% TiO2, 0.05% MnO; 1.63% P2O5, 1.95% SO3, 0.60% Na2O, 3.18% K2O, 0.47% SrO, 0.34% BaO, 17.24% loss on ignition. The oxidised zone, up to 5-7 m thick, includes uranium silicates, hydrouranate and uranyl phosphate, as well as uranium-bearing gypsum. Some 80 kilometres south of the Khanneshin structure, there are several unique deposits of aragonite (onyx) (Melek-Dokand, Zordag, Arbu and others). These are paragenetically associated with andesite-dacite volcanics of Pleistocene age. The barium, strontium and rare earth determined in the analysed samples: collected from the aragonite veins at the Zordag deposit [160] suggest that these veins are genetically related to the rocks of the Khanneshin carbonatite complex. This means that the aragonite veins can be regarded as products of the hydrothermal activity of the carbonatite chamber. The aragonite occurs at the Arbu deposit, either in a series of sheet-like bodies localized around the andesite-dacite neck at the contact between the lavas and the enclosing Neogene terrigeneous sediments, or in subconcordant bodies imbedded subhorizontally in the sedimentary rocks. The main commercial aragonite accumulations within the Zordag deposit occur in the andesite-dacite and at its contact with the Neogene sediments. The northern aragonite body, 30-45 metres thick, extends for 300 metres along the strike. It is composed essentially of aragonite of green shades, with inclusions of the enclosing volcanic rocks. At the Malek-Dokand deposit, aragonite occurs 3-6 kilometres off the andesite-dacite neck, either in Cretaceous volcanics or in Neogene sedimentary strata. The aragonite bodies occurring in the volcanic rocks are large flat-lying sheets, lying parallel to each other. Aragonite was studied by V.I. Slavin [142] and classified into the following morphological types: (a) fine-fibre mineral, forming rhythmical thinbanded and micro-spherolitic aggregates; (b) spherolitic mineral forming symmetrically banded veins; (c) coarse-crystalline mineral filling in open cavities in the veins. Aragonite shows a great variety in colour, with predominating light to dark green varieties, The estimated reserves of the aragonite are two million tonnes. Evidence of carbonatite activity has been established at the eastern margin of the South Afghanistan Median Mass, is the fields of the Dashte Nawer Early Quaternary volcanic series. There, a ten-metre horizon of crystalloclastic trachyandesite-dacite tuff with up to 30 per cent in carbonate content was found to outcrop in fragments within an area of a few dozen sq. km [155]. The pyroclastic fragments of trachy-andesite-dacite, barkevikite, biotite and plagioclase immersed in the carbonate material show evidence of fusion. These rocks reveal high concentrations of barium, strontium, rare earths and other elements commonly found in carbonatites. The structural position, petrographic composition and geochemical characteristics of the rocks composing the Khanneshin carbonatite complex have much in common with the carbonatite bodies known in other parts of the world. A characteristic feature of the Khanneshin carbonatites is that they contain no silicate rocks. Similar carbonatite complexes are known only in the Pufunda Region in East Africa.

Skarn Deposits Various mineral deposits and occurrences of iron, copper, lead, zinc, tin, tungsten, etc. are associated with skarn rocks in Afghanistan. Most of them are localized in carbonate rocks occurring at the exocontacts of intrusive massifs of different ages. For example, the high concentrations of ore minerals found in skarn bodies are associated with the Early Carboniferous gabbro-plagiogranite formation (iron, copper), the Early Triassic granites of the batholithic formation, the subvolcanic granite formation (copper, lead, zinc and tungsten), the Early Cretaceous gabbro-plagiogranite formation (iron), the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbro monzonitesyenite formation (gold, copper, lead, zinc, tin, tungsten and boron), the Oligocene granite batholith formation (copper, gold, lead, zinc, tungsten, tin and bismuth), and the Miocene minor diorite porphyrite and syeniteporphyry intrusions (gold, copper and iron). The ore minerals were formed either simultaneously with the skarn-forming silicates, or were introduced to the skarns during the hydrothermal stage. The skarn deposits and occurrences known in Afghanistan can be subdivided into several skarn formations. 11

Skarn magnetite formation The deposits and occurrences of this formation are found in various structural-facies zones and were formed in different metallogenetic epochs. The Baikalian epoch was responsible for the amphibole-magnetite skarns (Duzukh Darah occurrence) found in the carbonate strata at the exocontacts of Proterozoic gabbro-diorite massifs. The Hercynian metallogenetic epoch saw the formation of epidote-garnet-magnetite skarns, having in places high copper concentrations [102]. Considerable amounts of magnetite skarn were formed during the Meso-Cenozoic epoch of tectonic activation in the South Afghanistan Median Mass and Afghanistan-South Pamir Folded Region. In the South Afghanistan Median Mass, magnetite skarns occur at the exocontacts of Oligocene granitic rocks of the Argandab Complex. Typical of this formation is the Khwaja-Alam deposit, consisting of lenticular bodies of rich magnetite ore occurring in Triassic dolomites. The ore minerals are magnetite (90%), copper and iron sulphides. The iron content in the ore varies from 51.86 to 67.3 per cent. There are over 20 occurrences and one iron ore deposit belonging to the magnetite formation (Furmoragh deposit) in Afghanistan-South Pamir Folded Region. According to G.G. Semionov [133], the Furmoragh deposit is a large body of massive magnetite ore assaying up to 55 per cent iron. Formation of magnetite-hematite-chalcopyrite skarns The occurrences of this formation are associated with Oligocene subvolcanic granite-granosyenite intrusions (Bulghaja Complex), and with Miocene minor diorite porphyrite and syenite-porphyry intrusions (ShareArman Complex). The first group of occurrences is found in the west of the South Afghanistan Median Mass (Sindand-Kiahmaran Zone), in Lower Cretaceous limestones. The pyroxene-garnet-vesuvianite skarns widespread in the exocontact zones of the Bulghaja granite intrusions carry disseminated magnetite, hematite, copper, lead and zinc sulphides (Korezak occurrence). The other group of occurrences is found in the Murghab-Hari Rod Block of the North Afghan Platform, in the exocontact zones of Miocene diorite porphyrite massifs which intrude the Cretaceous-Paleocene carbonate strata. The epidote-garnet, epidotegarnet-magnetite and epidote-hematite skarns developed there contain disseminated inclusions, veinlets and pockets of chalcopyrite, magnetite, hematite, galena, arsenopyrite, pyrite, covellite and chalcocite. The skarn-type mineral deposits are irregular in shape and small in size (Okhankoshan occurrence, etc.). The occurrences of this formation are of low economic values. Skarn pyrite-chalcopyrite formation The deposits and numerous occurrences of this formation are found only in the South Afghanistan Median Mass and are confined mainly to the Tirin-Argandab Block in the Triassic terrigenous-carbonate strata, at the contact with the intrusions of the Zarkashan and Argandab complexes. Pyrite-chalcopyrite mineralization is associated with pyroxene, amphibole, garnet, pyroxene-garnet, phlogopite, phlogopite-pyroxene, phlogopitepyroxene-magnetite, and magnetite-pyroxene-garnet-phlogopite skarns. The largest concentrations of sulphides occur in the phlogopite-magnetite and magnetite-pyroxene garnet-phlogopite skarns. In addition to pyrite, chalcopyrite and magnetite, the skarns include sphalerite, molybdenite and tetrahedrite. Silver, gold and bismuth and normal accessory constituents contained in skarn rocks of this type. The Kundalan deposit consists of 13 lens-like skarn beds, up to 12.5 metres thick and 158 metres long. The carbonate rocks forming roof sags are intruded by diorites of the Zarkashan Complex. The magnetitepyroxene-garnet-phlogopite skarns carry chalcopyrite, magnetite, pyrite, sphalerite, tetrahedrite, chalcocite, molybdenite, galena, enartite [enargite?], bornite, covellite, malachite, and native copper. Promising areas for ore deposits of this formation are found in exocontact zones of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene and Oligocene intrusions in the Argandab-Tirin Zone. Skarn copper-lead-zinc formation Occurrences of this formation are discovered within South Afghanistan Median Mass and in the Region of Hercynian Folding. In South Afghanistan Median Mass, these are associated with the intrusions of the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbro-monzonite-syenite formation (Zarkashan Complex), with the Oligocene granite batholith formation (Helmand and Argandab Complexes) and with subvolcanic granites (Balghaja Complex). Copper, lead and zinc mineralization is associated with diopside-garnet, epidote-diopside-garnet and diopside-tremolite skarns containing scapolite and vesuvianite. The ore minerals are represented by chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite, pyrite and bornite. Skarn rocks occur in lenticular bodies varying from 0.5-3 12

to several dozen metres in thickness and from 10-15 m to several hundred metres in length. The known ore occurrences of this formation (Dalainor, Gariba, Morkokh and others) are of no economic value. The occurrences of the copper-lead-zinc formation from the Region of Hercynian Folding (Darrah-Alasang, Eshpushta and others) are situated in the exocontact zones of Late Triassic granitic rocks of the Murkh Complex. The skarn lenses up to 30 metres thick and 200 metres long contain disseminated pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, scheelite, cassiterite, ilmenite, pyrite, arsenopyrite and molybdenite. The skarns have been found to contain 0.1-5.0 per cent copper, 0.01-1.0 per cent lead, and 0.01-3.0 per cent zinc. Skarn lead-and-zinc formation The formation includes the Bibi-Gaukhar deposit and a number of minor occurrences localized within the Argandab-Tirin metallogenic zone, in the contact zones of Oligocene granitic rock massifs. The Bibi-Gaukhar deposit is restricted to an inlier of the marmorized skarn limestone occurring in granites. The main ore body is lens-like in shape; it is about 50 metres long and up to 10 metres thick. It is composed primarily of sphalerite and galena (70-90%) with subordinate pyrite, garnet, augite and wollastonite. Base metal mineralization can also be observed in garnet skarns, lead and zinc being either disseminated or occurring in veinlets. In Zardgolak, Takmak and other areas, lead-and-zinc mineralization is localized in small skarn bodies, 10 by 15 metres in size, occurring in carbonate rocks at their contact with Oligocene granites. These are garnet and diopside-tremolite skarns mineralized by galena, chalcopyrite, magnetite, pyrite and iron hydroxides. Skarn copper-gold formation The deposits and occurrences of this formation are distributed chiefly in the north-eastern part of the Argandab-Tirin Zone of South Afghanistan Median Mass; (Zarkashan deposit and others). These are associated with skarnified rocks and skarns occurring in Late Triassic dolomites in the exocontact zones of the Zarkashan gabbro, monzonite and syenite massifs, and Argandab granitic rock massifs. The skarn rocks occur in pockets or, occasionally, in sheet-like bodies. There are forsterite-diopside, spinel-phlogopite, diopside, diopside-phlogopite, vesuvianite-diopside-phlogopite, phlogopite vesuvianite diopside, phlogopitediopside-vesuvianite, diopside-tremolite-vesuvianite, tremolite-garnet, diopside garnet, epidote-garnet and garnet skarns. The ore minerals in skarns include magnetite, chalcopyrite, gold, pyrrhotite, pyrite, bornite and chalcocite. At the Zarkashan deposit, gold is associated with copper sulphides, quartz, calcite and serpentine. The richest gold-chalcopyrite ore is found in phlogopite skarns. The are bodies are not persistent along the strikes and dips, the mineralization being extremely irregular. The gold content varies from "traces" to 245 gr/tonne and that of copper, from 0.01 to 15 per cent. Lead, zinc, molybdenum and cadmium occur in minor quantities. Formation of tin-bearing skarns The tin occurrences of this formation are known in the South Afghanistan Median Mass. Most of the tinbearing skarn zones occur in faulted limestones, within a certain distance from the contacts with granitic rock massifs. These zones also carry iron, copper, lead, zinc, gold, molybdenum, tungsten, etc., which were formed in the skarns of a later phase of mineralization. The tin mineralization process spans the period of skarnization and later superimposed hydrothermal activity. According to their origin and mineral assemblages, the skarn rocks can be classified into calcareous skarns with cassiterite, and magnesium skarns with stannous borates. The cassiterite-ferrous carbonate skarns from the Argandab-Tirin Zone are tentatively included in this formation. All three types of mineralization may occasionally be observed within the same ore field. Calcareous skarns with cassiterite occur at the Chenar deposit, which is composed of Upper Triassic dolomitized limestones intruded by Oligocene granodiorites, granosyenites and granites. The sedimentary rocks, exhibiting a gentle monoclinal dip, are cut by a system of NE-and EW-trending faults. The zones of calcareous skarns are restricted to the NE fending faults that extend from a few dozen to 1,150 metres. Large zones consist of lenticular bodies varying in thickness from 0.2 to 16 m, with 10-12 m on average. The zone referred to as "Central" is represented by a dyke of silicified and skarnified dioritic porphyrite carrying disseminated molybdenite, chalcopyrite and pyrite. Garnet-diopside skarns containing vesuvianite, epidote, magnetite, chalcopyrite, bornite, molybdenite, ludwigite, phlogopite, cassiterite and gold occur along the dyke and its extension. 13

This type of calcareous skarn with cassiterite also includes the "Vostok" deposit. The ore field of this deposit [79] is underlain by Lower Cretaceous intercalating sandstones, siltstones, limestones and shales. The general monoclinal bedding is complicated by small dome-shaped drag folds occurring in fault zones. The strata are cut by a small quartz monzonite intrusion, which is actually intersected by quartz porphyry and diorite porphyry dykes. The quartz monzonite massif includes zones of epidotization with sulphide disseminations. The structural position of the deposit is controlled by a wide shear zone of a NE strike. The zone includes fields and patches of silicification, chloritization and skarn development. Throughout the area, the limestone beds contain pockets and lenses of epidote-garnet skarns bearing magnetite, arsenopyrite, copper, lead and zinc sulphides, and occasionally cassiterite. In the southern portion of the ore field, the terrigenous-carbonate strata are overlain by intermediate volcanics that have undergone hydrothermal and metasomatic transformations and contain sulphide-tin mineralization. The mineralized shear zone is complicated by post-mineralization diagonal and transverse faults containing veins of low-temperature quartz and calcite with pyrite. The zone extends for 2.5 kilometres, its width ranging from 50 to 300 metres. The eastern portion of the zone bears tin, lead and zinc mineralization, while the western portion, consisting predominantly of epidote-diopside skarns, carries magnetite, pyrrhotite, copper sulphides and cassiterite. Thus, the "Vostok" deposit is a shear zone with lens-like bodies of epidote-diopside skarns and stockworkshaped zones of skarnified rocks containing veinlet and disseminated mineralization, represented by pyrrhotite, magnetite and cassiterite. The sulphide mineralization was formed during a later hydrothermal activity, after the skarns had already originated. Magnesium skarns with ludwigite and stannous borates occur in the Darrah Nur ore field (Gbargei, ShinGhar, Chenar localities) of the Argandab-Tirin Zone. The Gbargei tin-bearing ludwigite-magnetite ore occurrence [69] consists of magnesium skarns localized at the contact between a small massif of Oligocene granite-porphyry and Upper Triassic dolomites. The skarns are composed of sahlite, clintonite, phlogopite, spinel, vesuvianite, serpentine, magnetite, ludwigite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, stannous borates of a paigeitehylsite series and cassiterite. The tin content varies from 0.2 to 1 per cent. The ferriferous-carbonate low-sulphide type of tin occurrence The ferriferous-carbonate low-sulphide type of tin occurrence discovered in the Argandab-Tirin Metallogenetic Zone by O.N. Kahakov [69] and V.S. Kirichek [79] is tentatively assigned to the group of the tin-bearing skarns under consideration. This type of tin ore is intermediate between the skarn-type and hydrothermal tin, lead and zinc ores. In contrast to the typical cassiterite-carbonate ores known from China and other countries, the type of ore under consideration has higher-temperature mineral assemblages, includes ferruginous cassiterite and is abundant in iron minerals. The ore occurrences of this type occur in the Permian and Triassic limestones and dolomites and are found in fault zones away from the contacts with intrusive massifs of Oligocene granitic rocks (Magn, Syagar, Chenar and other occurrences). The morphology of the ore zones is fairly complex. They comprise irregular bodies with offshoots, as well as lenses, pockets, and nests localized in mutually intersecting faults. At the Chenar deposit, the tin-bearing ferruginous-carbonate ore bodies are confined to a system of subparallel faults striking in an east westerly direction. These are numerous small lenses of a peculiar shape, rapidly pinching out at depth and varying from 10 to 30 metres in length and from 1 to 8 metres in thickness. Their mineral composition is simple; calcite, hematite, dolomite, magnetite, cassiterite and small amounts of chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena and sphalerite. Cassiterite is disseminated, occasionally forming nest-like accumulations in hematitized marble and calcite-magnetite-hematite aggregates. It occurs in grains of an irregular shape, or in bipyramidal crystals with poorly developed prismatic faces, dark brown and black in colour. The crystals vary from 0.5 to 88 mm in size. The tin content ranges from several hundredths of a per cent to 11 per cent. The Magn mineral occurrence is another representative of the low-sulphide ferruginous-carbonate type of tin ore (Fig. 5). The ore bodies are enclosed in the zones of Upper Triassic brecciated limestones, the zones extending for 5 to 1,500 metres and varying from 1-2 to 25-50 metres in width. The breccia fragments are cemented with highly hematitized carbonate matter. Apart from hematite, the cement includes magnetite, pyrite, ludwigite, secondary minerals of copper, lead and zinc, garnet, epidote and cassiterite, the latter occurring either in individual crystals 0.5-2 mm. in size, or in nest-like accumulations up to 5-10 cm. The breccias are frequently out by calcite veinlets carrying disseminated cassiterite crystals. Similar calcite veinlets with cassiterite may also be observed in massive limestones. 14

Formation of tungsten-bearing skarns Tungsten-bearing skarns are known from the South Afghanistan Median Mass. These occur at contacts between Proterozoic and Mesozoic terrigenous-carbonate rocks and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbromonzonite-syenite intrusions (the Zarkashan and Farah Complexes) and Oligocene granite batholiths (the Helmand and Argandab Complexes). According to the type of tungsten mineralization, the skarns belong to the scheelite subtype. Ore occurrences are known from South Afghanistan Median Mass in the Shindand-Kishmaran, Helmand and Argandab-Tirin zones (the Kharnay, Baragana, Farah and other occurrences). The Kharnay occurrence localized in the central portion of the Argandab-Tirin Zone is the largest of the thoroughly studied occurrences. The ore field is underlain by Lower Silurian hornfelsed sandstones and siltstones containing inter-layered limestone intruded by granites of the Argandab Complex. The skarns of amphibole-garnet-pyroxene and essentially pyroxene composition are restricted to the NE-trending faults. There are several skarn zones in the area. The largest zone extends for more than 2 kilometres at a width of 96 metres. It is intersected by transverse faults. The faults running in the terrigenous rocks enclose fine-grained greisens or thin streaks of pyroxene material, and those crossing the marble contain stringers and veins of pyroxene-amphibole skarns up to 10 cm thick bearing wollastonite and rhodonite. Quartz-scheelite mineralization occurs along the axis of the skarn stringers. Chalcopyrite, molybdenite and beryl may be found along with scheelite, which normally contains 0.11 to 0.22 per cent molybdenum. There are two distinct stages of skarn development at the Kharnay occurrence. During the first stage, wide and extensive zones of barren skarnified rocks developed along the NE-trending faults. In the second stage, skarn was formed along the NW-trending faults. The process was accompanied by the deposition of ore minerals in places where the NW-trending faults intersect either the marble layers or the garnet-amphibole-pyroxene skarns. Skarn formation of gem and ornamental stones This type of mineralization includes a group of ruby and lazurite deposits that has formed as a result of the contact-metasomatic impact of ultra-acidic granitic rocks upon Precambrian carbonate rocks in the NurestanPamir Median Mass. The ruby occurrences are confined to a unit of calcite-dolomitic marble beds occurring in Precambrian gneiss. The Jigdalek ore field includes two marble and calciphyre zones bearing rubies and noble spinel and extending for 15 kilometres. The ruby crystals in the calciphyres are observed in the direct proximity of pegmatite and migmatite veins. According to G.K. Yeriomenko, the rubies are associated with phlogopite, Al-pargasite, forsterite, diopside, scapolite, chondrodite, spinel, pyrite, pyrrhotite, ilmenorutile and nigerite. The ruby crystals are occasionally as large as 2.5 centimetres. The paragenesis of the rockforming minerals in the ruby bearing magnesium calciphyres is similar to that of the high-temperature magnesium skarns. The post-magmatic solutions responsible for the ruby mineralization contained highly active aluminium, while the activity of iron and alkali was rather low, as evidenced by the common paragenesis of calcite + phlogopite Al-pargasite + corundum established in the calcyphyres. Also of interest is the fact ore-forming fluids contained rare metals that have given rise to ilmenorutile, nigerite and beryl, as well as boron and sulphur resulting in tourmaline, pyrite and pyrrhotite. A group of unique lazurite deposits of Sare-Sang is located in the Southern Badakhshan Fault Block. Lazurite deposits and occurrences have been found in the ares that extend for more than 200 sq. km and underlain by biotite gneiss, calcitic and dolomitic marbles, forsterite and scapolite calciphyres, hornblende and biotite-garnet schists, garnet amphibolite and skarns. The lazurite mineralization is confined to skarn zones in calciphyres and is represented by lenses and pockets of lazurite-rich rocks composed of diopside, forsterite, plagioclase, nepheline, sphene, scapolite, sodalite, pyrite, graphite and native sulphur [97].

Hydrothermal Deposits Two types of hydrothermal deposits are known to occur in Afghanistan. These are plutonic and telethermal deposits [145]. Plutonic ore formations include quartz-scheelite, quartz-gold-sulphide, quartz-sulphide, quartz-cassiterite, wolframite-quartz, cassiterite-silicate, cassiterite-sulphide, copper-porphyry, talc-magnesite, quartz-ankeriteberyl and chrysotile-asbestos deposits and occurrences. 15

Quartz-scheelite formation Occurrences of this ore formation are known from the South Afghanistan Median Mass and from the Helmand and Argandab-Tirin Blocks, where they are spatially and paragenetically associated with Oligocene granitic rocks (Nili, Wardak, Kakrak, Sangi-Mosha and other occurrences). The Nili occurrence is the most typical and well-studied formation of this kind [146], consisting of several parallel stockwork zones found in granites and extending for 1,700 metres, with widths of 30-50 metres. The scheelite-quartz veinlets vary in thickness from 0.5 to 15 mm., their length reaching 50 metres. The scheelite occurring in the veinlets is distributed irregularly. Grains of pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, cassiterite, bismuthinite, arsenopyrite and wolframite are present in small quantities. The granite within the stockwork zones is silicified and occasionally slightly greisenized. The tungsten content in the zones is low, not generally above 0.15 per cent. Quartz-gold sulphide formation This formation includes deposits and occurrences of quartz veins and crush zones bearing gold-sulphide mineralization. Vein deposits are most frequent in Western Badakhshan (Chilkonshar, Shegnan, and others); In the Argandab-Tirin Zone (Kandahar, Rishab and others) they are less common. Quartz veins occur in metamorphic and terrigenous-carbonate rocks near intrusive massifs with ages ranging from Early Carboniferous to Oligocene. The ore minerals found in the quartz veins are represented by gold, pyrite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, hematite, arsenopyrite, and pyrrhotite. At the Chilkonshar deposit, the quartz veins are emplaced in Lower Carboniferous basic volcanics and vary from 0.2 to 6.5 metres in thickness and from 20 to 300 metres in extent. The gold content in some of the veins is between 12.3 to 84.9 gr/t. The quartz veins from the Argandab-Tirin Zone occur in Eocene-Oligocene volcanic rocks. Quartz shows irregular disseminations of chalcopyrite, galena and hematite. The gold content in the veins varies from traces to 10 gr/t. Silicified crush zones with gold-sulphide mineralization are known to occur in Western Badakhshan in Proterozoic and Paleozoic rocks (Weka Dur occurrence and others). The ore mineralization in the veins is of a dissemination type and consists of native gold, chalcopyrite, galena and arsenopyrite; tetradymite and scheelite are also be found. There are many occurrences of this type in the Argandab-Tirin Zone (Bala, Mirzaka, Dynamite, Kadalak, etc.). These are thick (up to 50 metres) and extensive (up to 1 kilometre) silicified, limonitized and serpentinized crush zones localized in Mesozoic carbonate-terrigenous rocks near granitic and basic rock massifs. For example, the zones of solidification, serpentinization and sulphide mineralization from the Mirzaka occurrence are confined to carbonate-terrigenous rocks intruded by sills and dykes of the Zarkashan gabbro-diorite complex. The ore bodies are composed of strongly ochreous brecciated silicified carbonate rocks containing magnetite, cerussite, pyromorphite, galena, scheelite, cassiterite, arsenopyrite and wulfenite. The ore contains the following metals: gold - 20.0 gr/t, silver -330 gr/tonne, lead - 16.52 per cent, zinc - 14.6 per cent, copper - 0.12 per cent, tin - 0.89 per cent and arsenic over 1 per cent. The deposits and occurrences of this formation are characterized by a small ore tonnage with a high metal content (up to 70 gr/tonne). Quartz- sulphide formation The occurrences of this formation are numerous. They are represented by quartz veins and silicified zones bearing disseminated copper, lead, zinc and iron sulphides and occurring both in granitic rocks and in carbonate, terrigenous and volcanic strata of different ages. The occurrences are known primarily from the South Afghanistan Median Mass and the Region of Hercynian Folding. In some localities, they contain relatively high concentrations of the metals, but owing to their small size and complex geometry, these are at present of no practical value. Quartz-cassiterite formation Mineral occurrences of this formation mainly occur within the Helmand-Argandab Uplift. They are notable for the association of cassiterite with wolframite (scheelite), the absence of sulphides, and the relationship between the mineralization and Oligocene granitic rocks. Mineralization occurs in greisens, quartz veins and stockworks. The greisen-type mineralization is found at the Baytamor mineral occurrence, which is restricted to a system of subparallel faults running in Oligocene granites. Nine greisen zones of nearly north-south strike have been detected along the faults. The zones range from 1 to 55 metres in thickness, reaching up to one kilometre in length. In the central portions, the zones include quartz veinlets and lenses with cassiterite and wolframite, as 16

well as quartz-muscovite aggregates with topaz, cassiterite and scarce fluorite, hematite, chalcopyrite and pyrite impregnations. These rock types are replaced at the periphery by greisenized granite. The tin content is as low as 0.3 per cent, while that of tungsten trioxide is up to 0.05 per cent. Minor tin occurrences found in greisens are also known from the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass. The quartz type mineralization is more widespread than that of the greisen type. Ore occurrences of the former consist of quartz veins and stockwork zones usually found in the apical parts of Oligocene massifs. The quartz veins are frequently accompanied by zones of silicification, occasionally of muscovitization, and contain disseminated cassiterite. The Sheng occurrence is situated in the middle part of the Helmand Zone, at the endocontact of a biotite granite massif intruded by stocks, dykes and veins of aplitic granite, lamprophyre and pegmatite. Over 300 quartz veins and silicified brecciated zones form a vein series, oval in plan, which occupies an area of about 4 sq. km. The veins are surrounded by fringes of silicified and greisenized granites up to 1-1.5 metres thick. The veins vary from 0.2 to 1.5 metres in thickness and from 10 to 150 m in length. Their mineral composition is as follows: quartz, muscovite, chlorite, cassiterite, scheelite, chalcopyrite, arsenopyrite and galena. The cassiterite is light-brown and brown in colour. It is short-prismatic, the pyramid faces being poorly developed. The grain size varies from 0.1 to 5 mm. Cassiterite shows an extremely irregular distribution in the veins. The tin content varies from 0.01 to 14 per cent and the tungsten trioxide concentration from 0.02 to 0.2 per cent. Wolframite-quartz formation Occurrences of this formation are known from the Argandab-Tirin Zone (Maydan-Akhu, Adamkhel and other occurrences). These are associated with the granitic rocks of the Argandab Complex. The MaydanAkhu ore occurrence consists of 17 zones of quartz veinlets and greisen zones of the enclosing granites. The veinlets vary from 5 to 50 cm in thickness and from 10 to 300 m in length. The zones are 5-60 m wide and 500 m long. The veinlets are composed of massive and combed quartz with muscovite fringes. The quartz contains irregularly disseminated wolframite, molybdenite and cassiterite, and nest accumulations of beryl. Scheelite formed after wolframite occurs commonly. The greisenized granites contain quartz, muscovite and sparsely disseminated topaz, fluorite, calcite and pyrite. The content of tungsten trioxide in the veinlet zones of the Naydan-Akha occurrence varies from 0.025 to 1.66 per cent, while that of beryllium oxide is 0.13-0.53 per cent and that of tin, 0.15 per cent. The Adamkhel occurrence is notable for the absence of greisens; its quartz veins are large in size (from 0.2 to 1 metre in thickness, and from 60 to 200 metres in length). The ore mineralization is represented by nest disseminations of large wolframite crystals and smaller crystals of scheelite, cassiterite and beryl, as well as by nests and veinlets of chalcopyrite, galena, pyrite and molybdenite. The content of tungsten trioxide varies from 0.82 to 4.15 per cent, averaging 1.94 per cent. Tin and beryllium account for several hundredths of a per cent. Cassiterite-silicate formation No typical representatives of this formation have been discovered within the territory of Afghanistan. The tin ore occurrences found in the zones of quartz-tourmaline and quartz-tourmaline-sulphide mineralization in subvolcanic granites and Eocene-Oligocene volcanic rocks from the Shindand-Kishmaran Zone can be only tentatively attributed to this formation. The ore bodies restricted to faults are small in size and often spatially associated with dykes of various composition. The tourmaline ore occurrence is the most typical representative of this formation [69]. The ore body is found at the south-western contact of the Bulghaja granitic mass of Oligocene age, Which intrudes the dacite, quartz porphyry and tuff assemblage (Fig. 6). The biotite granites and volcanic rocks are out by a series of subparallel dioritic porphyrite, lamprophyre, granite porphyry and aplite dykes oriented at right angles to the contact. Tin mineralization can be traced in the granite massif for 3.5 kilometres along its south-western contact. Tin minerals occur in a system of quartz-tourmaline veins and in silicified and tourmalinized breccias accompanied by zones of quartz-tourmaline metasomatites. The veins of quartz-tourmaline-sulphide composition are less common there. The veins and breccia zones are found along gently-dipping, nearly north-south-trending and steeply-dipping, nearly east-west-trending faults. Four locations can be distinguished within the area of the ore occurrence. The "Central" one is a zone of quartz-tourmaline metasomatites up to 50 metres in width and 600 metres in length. The zone includes eight ore bodies varying in tin content from 0.01 to 1.2 per cent. In the "Southern" location, the ore bodies are

17

subparallel quartz-tourmaline and quartz-tourmaline-sulphide veins varying from 3 to 17.4 metres in thickness and from 40 to 260 metres in length. In the "Contact" location, a series of quarts-tourmaline veins oriented at right angles to the contact between the granites and volcanics contains 0.01 to 1.35 per cent tin. In addition to tin, ore includes copper, arsenic, lead, zinc, bismuth, tungsten and molybdenum. The mineral composition of the ore is as follows: quartz, tourmaline, muscovite, albite, fluorite, cassiterite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, hematite, sphalerite, galena, bismuthinite, apatite and zircon. Cassiterite forms accumulations or small grain (0.1-3 mm) disseminations. It is mottled or banded, varying in colour from yellow to dark-brown. Short-prismatic crystals are less common. The cassiterite is often intergrown with tourmaline which forms sheaf-like aggregates in quartz. Sulphides and fluorite were formed later than quartz, tourmaline and cassiterite. The Daghana occurrence is compositionally similar to the one mentioned above [69]. It is a system of subparallel zones and veins of quartz-tourmaline-sulphide composition occurring in a massif of porphyry-like and medium grained biotite and biotite-amphibole granites intruding Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate strata and Eocene-Oligocene volcanics. More than 40 quartz-tourmaline veins accompanied by highly tourmalinized country rocks have been found in the area. The tourmalinized zones are from 1 to 10 metres wide, the veins being 0.1 to 5 metres thick and 200 to 250 metres long. Lamprophyre dykes intersected by quartz-tourmaline breccia zones and quartz-tourmaline veins are common there. The mineral composition of the zones and veins is as follows: quartz, tourmaline, cassiterite, hematite, magnetite, scheelite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, galena, copper and lead secondary minerals, ankerite, epidote, apatite. The cassiterite grains are 0.1 to 1 mm in size, the colour varying from yellow to dark brown. The tin content is up to 0.2 per cent. Zones of similar composition but smaller in size occur at the contacts of many granite massifs of the Bulghaja Complex. Cassiterite-sulphide formation The deposits of this formation are common in the Shindand-Kishmaran Zone. They occur in the exocontact zones of the sub-volcanic granite intrusions of the Bulghaja Complex within the "Vostok" deposit, the zone bearing tin, copper, lead, and zinc mineralization has been traced for 950 metres and is actually a system of subparallel or intersecting veins and nests containing disseminated sulphide and tin minerals, which are intensely chloritized and silicified. The mineralized zones have been vertically penetrated by boreholes to a depth of 270 metres. The following types of ore have been distinguished by their structure and compositions limonite-hematite ore of a breccia structure, streaky-disseminated sulphide ore, and massive sulphide ore. The limonite-hematite ore occurs in pockets or "iron hats" in oxidized zones overlying the massive and streaky-disseminated ores. Cassiterite is found in fragments of a quartz-cassiterite aggregate of a skeleton structure, cemented with a limonite hematite-cerussite aggregate. The tin content varies from 0.01 to 6.61 per cent, copper from 0.001 to 0.5 per cent, lead from 0.06 to 15 per cent, and zinc from 0.004 to 0.10 per cent. The content of tin from the stannite is up to 0.1 per cent. The bulk of the ore is of a streaky-disseminated type. It occurs in bodies, as large as 4 metres in thickness and 60 metres in length, which consist of intensely silicified, chloritized and epidotized terrigenous rocks carrying pyrrhotite, magnetite, galena, sphalerite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, cassiterite and stannite disseminations and vary thin veinlets. Spotted, streaky and banded structures are most common. The tin content is 0.01 to 0.2 per cent, copper up to 0.1 per cent, lead up to 0.5 per cent and zinc up to 0.9 per cent. Massive sulphide ore occurs in thin lens-like bodies within the zones of streaky-disseminated ore. Its mineral composition is as follows: pyrrhotite, magnetite, galena, sphalerite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, marcasite, pyrite, cassiterite, stannite, chlorite, epidote, diopside, axinite and quartz. The ore contains 0.02 to 5 per cent tin, up to 0.48 per cent copper, 6.45 per cent lead and 0.48 per cent zinc. The content of tin from the stannite is up to 0.1 per cent. The succession in the formation of the ore minerals is apparent in the massive ores [79]. Cassiterite is associated with pyrrhotite and magnetite. Fractures in the mineral are filled in with galena. Galena, sphalerite, arsenopyrite and stannite are formed after pyrrhotite as grained masses or occur in irregular grains in the non-metallic groundmass. Chalcopyrite forms emulsion impregnation in sphalerite, or occurs in streaks intersecting the metallic aggregates formed earlier. Pyrite is associated with carbonates that cut the metallic and non-metallic material. Cassiterite forms long-prismatic and pyramidal crystals 1-3 mm long and 0.1 to

18

0.3 mm thick. These are yellow, light brown or green in colour. Cassiterite bears accessory antimony, lead, arsenic, tungsten, zinc, copper, silver, titanium and iron. Formation of porphyry copper ore Only in recent years have porphyry copper ore occurrences been discovered in Afghanistan [44], though the Mediterranean Belt is metallogenetically characterized by an abundance of large deposits of this type. The results of the geological and geophysical surveys conducted in the west of the country have made it possible to pinpoint the Shindand-Kishmaran Zone as an area promising for porphyry copper ore [23]. The EoceneOligocene volcano-plutonic assemblage occurring widely in the structure is actually the eastern termination of the Urmia-Dohtar volcanic belt which is known to contain large deposits of porphyry copper ore of the Khorasan, Anarak and Kerman areas [114]. In addition, porphyry copper ore has been found in the Arghandab-Tirin Zone (Kaftagar and other localities) [30]. The Okhankoshan and Seku mineral occurrences are found in the Qala-i-Naw Block in small Miocene intrusions composed of granite-porphyry, granodiorite-porphyry and dacite porphyry. These are intruded by diorite-porphyry, granodiorite-porphyry and syenite-porphyry dykes. These rock masses outline the buried Okhankoshan ore-bearing structure that intersects the eastern part of the Qala-i-Naw Block in a northeasterly direction. Conspicuous dome-like magmatogene folds were formed as a result of the intrusive activity. The mineralization is controlled by series (zones) of parallel, or differently oriented fractures forming linearly elongated stockworks (Fig. 7). The instrusive rocks within the zones have undergone intensive silicification, pyritization, sericitization and kaolinization. The zones vary greatly in width, from 20-30 to 270 metres, and extend for up to 2.5 kilometres. The Okhankoshan ore contains several metallic constituents: 0.1-1.5 per cent copper, 1-32 gr/tonne gold, 0.01-0.06 per cent molybdenum, and 0.3-2.5 per cent lead and zinc. The detailed metallometric survey carried out in the area has revealed several primary dispersion haloes of copper, molybdenum, gold, lead, zinc and arsenic. The work performed suggests a high potential of the above occurrences and other intrusions of the Miocene complex found in the zone of the Okhankoshan ore-control structure. The Kaftagar and Surkh-i-Shela type occurrences are associated with intrusions and dykes of the Zarkashan Complex in the eastern part of the South Afghanistan Median Mass. The Kaftagar deposit is restricted to the contacts between the gabbro-monzonite, diorite, quartz porphyry, and granite-porphyry dykes. It should be noted that the ore bodies are surrounded by extensive haloes of metasomatically altered wall rock as carbonate, quartz-carbonate and hematite-kaolin-quartz metasomatities. The carbonate metasomatites were formed as a result of dolomitization, ankeritization and partial silicification of limestones. They occasionally contain quartz, antigorite and white glimmerite aggregates. The quartz-carbonate metasomatites replace calcareous argillite, siltstone, marmorized limestone and marble. The hematite-kaolin-quartz metasomatites are mainly developed after magmatic rocks. Compositionally, the ore is of a molybdenite-chalcopyritechalcosite auriferous type; it is commonly disseminated or occasionally streaky-disseminated. The ore contains chalcosite (up to 85%), bornite (up to 35%), chalcopyrite and molybdenite (up to 7%). Pyrite and sphalerite are less common. The secondary minerals are represented by covellite, malachite, azurite, chrysocolla, native copper and limonite. In structure, geology and composition, porphyry copper ores of the type that occur in Afghanistan are similar to a group of molybdenum-copper deposits in Iran and the Ghagay Massif [139]. The authors believe that the belt of porphyry copper deposits delineated by A.D. Shcheglov [138] along the southern margin of the Iranian and South Afghanistan median masses goes further to the north-east, extending into the territory of Afghanistan. Talc-magnesite formation The deposits and occurrences of this formation are subdivided into two types; those of the first type occur in the massifs of serpentinized ultrabasic rocks, while those of the second are found in carbonate complexes. The former are of no commercial value. They are associated with the massifs of Early Carboniferous ultrabasic rocks to the north of the Hari Rod Fault Zone and with Eocene rocks in the Kabul Block. The second type of talc-magnesite mineralization is notable for commercial concentrations. These occurrences are similar in structural pattern and found in Proterozoic carbonate strata in the Spinghar zone, in the eastern part of Afghanistan (Achin, Malakhel, Ghunday and other deposits). 19

The Achin deposit occurs in Proterozoic dolomites and sericite-chlorite schists. The ore field, elongated nearly in an east-west direction for 1.5 km, includes several lens-like and bedded magnesite bodies concordant with the enclosing dolomites. The ore bodies vary from a few dozen metres to 1 kilometre in length and from 7-10 to 170 metres in thickness. The internal structural pattern of the magnesite bodies is frequently complicated by dolomite lenses, 1-10 m thick. The magnesite ore is characterized by the presence of talc, which is distributed irregularly, occurring as selvages and lens-like or vein-like bodies. Minerals of the palygorskite group fill joints in the dolomite occurring as foliated inclusions, up to 0.5 cm thick. The total reserves of the magnesite ore in the Achin deposit are estimated as 30 million tonnes. Apart from the talc-bearing magnesite, the Achin ore field includes lens-like and bedded talcite bodies that form a zone extending for 2 km along the strike of the country dolomites. The zone encloses andesite-basalt dykes that cross the country rocks diagonally. The zone is a series of closely-spaced an echelon talc veins and lenses, up to 200 metres long and 10-15 metres thick. The ores are monomineral, consisting of lepidoblastic talc and less commonly of steatite. Dolomite, magnesite, quartz and calcite inclusions are present in small amounts. The talc reserves in the Achin deposit are estimated to be over 1 million tonnes. Some 70 km west of the Achin deposit, a similar schist and dolomite sequence contains another talc deposit, known as the Mamakhel deposit. Though similar to the Achin deposit, it is smaller in size. The nearly eastwest-trending strip of the Spinghar Zone, which has not as yet been adequately studied, includes other occurrences of talc magnesite mineralization. The presence of granitic rocks intruding the Proterozoic dolomite-bearing units suggests the existence of monomineral brucite ore deposits. Moreover, the serpentinized rocks observed in the area may carry commercial amounts of iron-free asbestos of the apocarbonate type. Large accumulations of palygorskite are to be expected within the weathered dolomite units. Quartz-ankerite-beryl formation Emerald occurrences of this formation have been found at the western margin of the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass and Afghanistan-South Pamir Folded Region in the Central-Badakhshan Fault Zone. The Panjsher deposit, described by S.P. Akkermantsev, consists of a group of beryl and emerald occurrences localized in a narrow strip (Panjsher Zone) extending for over 25 km along the left bank of the Panjsher River. The zone includes six emerald occurrences: Khench, Mikeni-I, Mikeni-II, Buzmal, Ribat and Darun. All the occurrences, except Buzmal, occur in a zone of subparallel contiguous faults running in Ordovician and Silurian-Devonian carbonate and siliceous schist sequences. Gabbro-diorite and quartz porphyry veins and dykes are confined to this major structure controlling emerald mineralization. The Buzmal deposit, situated 2 km north-west of the above zone, is controlled by a nearly east-west trending fault and a gabbrodiorite dyke. The rocks in the fault zone have undergone hydrothermal and metasomatic transformations, such as biotitization, albitization, tourmalinization, carbonatization and silicification. Post-metasomatic hydrothermal activity is responsible for the formation of thin quartz-ankerite and dolomite veins and stringers bearings beryl and emerald mineralization. The zones of the altered rocks with emerald mineralization extend for 100400 metres, varying in thickness from 0.1 to 10 metres. These have been traced down the dip for over 150 metres. The quart-ankerite and dolomite veinlets, 1 to 3 metres long and up to 3 cm thick, are concentrated in very intensely albitized and ankeritized rocks. They occur in cross fractures in gabbro-diorite dykes and at the contacts between the dykes and the country rocks. The emeralds of the highest quality occur in quartzankerite veins and stringers emplaced in the metasomatically altered gabbro-diorite and schist. The beryl crystals of a dark-emerald colour, unfractured, transparent, and varying in size from 1 cm by 0.2 cm to 3.5 cm by 0.7 cm, occur in open slit-like cavities in the quartz-ankerite veinlets. The amount of emerald crystals in the quartz-ankerite veinlets averages 5-10 per cent of the total vein material. Judging by the mineral assemblages, the temperature of the emerald crystallization was low. The zones of intensive albitization in the schist, gabbro-diorite and marble sequences are of particular interest, as some sections have been found to contain high concentrations of uniformly disseminated colourless beryl. Chrysotile-asbestos formation The three deposits and numerous occurrences of this formation discovered in Afghanistan are genetically and spatially associated with massifs of Eocene ultrabasic rocks. According to the classification adopted in the USSR, the asbestos deposits are of the "bazhenov", "labinsk" and "karachaev" subtypes occurring respectively in Bagrami, Logar and Shadal [46]. All the subtypes are localized in the basement complex of 20

the Region of Alpine folding, far away from acid intrusive massifs. The asbestos-bearing zones, controlled by faults running in carbonatized talc-bearing serpentinite and serpentinized peridotite, are confined to the marginal zones of ultrabasic rook massifs. The Bagrami deposit occurs at the south-western margin of a large massif of pyroxenite, peridotite, serpentinized peridotite and apoperidotite serpentinite. The asbestos-bearing zones are controlled by fault zones and are restricted to feather fissures filled with carbonatized and talc-bearing serpentinite. The asbestos content is extremely irregular throughout the deposit, occurring mostly in the form of complex fringed veins of a large- and small-spaced rectangular pattern. The asbestos is of a chrysotile cross-fibre variety. Its content in the rock mass varies from a few tenths of a per cent to 5.65%. The asbestos is characterized by the presence of small joints up to 1 mm. thick, filled with serpophyte that lowers the grade of the ore. Within the Shadal deposit, asbestos occurs in a zone of faulted serpentinite. The ore consists primarily of deformed and schistose serpentinite with segregations of slip-fibre chrysotile-asbestos. The fibres are as long as 15 to 20 cm or even more. In the oxidized zone, the asbestos fibres are intergrown with magnesite down to a depth of 20 to 30 metres. The fibre exhibits a low mechanical strength, owing to the intergrowth of chrysotile-asbestos with nemalite. One of the six asbestos-bearing zones examined [64] is 640 metres long and 130 metres wide. The asbestos content in the zone is irregular, the average being 6 per cent. Within the Logar deposit, asbestos occurs in the peridotite found in a zone of serpentinization as isolated veins confined to faults and to the contacts of lamprophyre dykes. The serpentinized zones enclose asbestosfilled joints or contiguous parallel veinlets of cross-fibre asbestos, 5 to 8 mm. thick. The veinlets are usually arranged along the strike of the serpentinized zone, their concentration increasing towards the contacts. Slightly serpentinized peridotites commonly contain asbestos in large-spaced vein networks and fringed veins. Two bodies have been explored within the deposit. Body No. 1 can be traced for 900 metres, averaging 42 metres in thickness and 4.14 per cent in fibre content (grades V and VI). Body No. 2 is traced for 400 metres, its thickness averaging 32 metres and fibre content 4.17 per cent.

Telethermal Ore Formations This group of low-temperature hydrothermal ore formations is not directly related to magmatic formations. The deposits and occurrences of this group are commonly confined to fault systems feathering major faults. The occurrences are mostly localized within the Afghanistan-South Pamir Folded Region and are found in the depressed blocks of superimposed troughs within the median masses and North Afghan Platform. The ore bodies have a bedded or, occasionally, vein-like shape. As a rule, the telethermal ore formations in Afghanistan may be assigned to the Neogene-Quaternary and are associated with late Alpine tectonomagmatic activity. The following types have been distinguished: fluorite, mercury, barite vein, baritepolymetallic, and lead-and-zinc ore formation in carbonate rocks. Fluorite ore formation Fluorite deposits and promising occurrences have been found only within the Arghandab-Tirin Zone. At present, about 47 mineral occurrences have been established and one large deposit (Bakhud) has been explored over an area of about 600 sq. km (Fig. 8). A surface of erosion between the Upper Triassic Alamghar limestones and the Rhaetian-Liassic Argasu marls is the main ore-enclosing structure. The PreRhaetian weathering crust, 0.2 to 15 metres thick, is preserved locally on the eroded surface of the Alamghar limestone in the lows of the ancient basement. The Bakhud ore district also has no intrusive rocks in the modern surface of erosion, but four small outcrops of the Argandab granites found 10 km away from the Bakhud deposit contain 2.82 to 4.22 per cent calcium fluoride. The mineralogical sample collected from the granites yielded 100 to 400 gr/tonne of fluorite [2]. The Bakhud deposit is restricted to the crest of a brachyanticline, severely faulted in various directions, which produced an easily recognizable block pattern of the ore field. In addition, low-amplitude intraformational slips and displacements can be observed along the contact between the Alamghar and Argasu formations, which provided favourable conditions for the penetration of hydrothermal fluids. The rocks composing the top and bottom of the contact zone are brecciated. The thickness of the brecciated zone generally corresponds to that of 21

the ore body, ranging from 0.5 to 9 metres. The structural pattern of the fluorite ore body from the Bakhud deposit resembles that of the Tashainar ore deposits of the Kazakh Republic (USSR), and of the Illinois Kentucky fluorite province (USA). The Bakhud ore has been attributed to the calcite-quartz-fluorite type. Compositionally, the ore is classified into two subtypes; (i) carbonate-fluorite ore with lead and zinc sulphides, and (ii) quartz-fluorite ore. The ore of the former subtype accounts for 86 per cent of the total reserves. The mineral composition of the ore is simple: apart from fluorite and calcite, it contains quartz, sphalerite, galena, barite, ankerite, dolomite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, tennantite and molybdenite. The supergene minerals are represented by iron hydroxides, calcite, aragonite, cerussite, anglesite, smithsonite, calamine, azurite, chrysocolla, chalcocite, native silver and others. Fluorite forms compact segregations in the massive, schistose and stratified ore varieties, fragments or cement in the brecciated ore, and is found as disseminations or veinlets in the carbonate wall-rocks. The fluorite varies from colourless, white, greenish and violet to almost black. The fluorite in the massive accumulations is usually translucent and abundant in gas-liquid inclusions. The primary inclusions associated with growth zones are of a negative crystal form (trigonal prisms or tetrahedrons). These are two-phase inclusions containing 80-90 per cent of the liquid phase. The temperature range of the homogeneous system is 180 to 250C, the mass cracking of the inclusions occurring between 180 and 250C. The hydrogen indicator (PS) of the suspensions obtained from this type of fluorite varies from 8.6 to 7.85. The accessory elements in the fluorite are represented by aluminium, magnesium, iron, titanium and sodium. The carbonate-fluorite ore bodies vary in thickness from 0.5 to 7.6 metres (average 2.16 metres), and in the content of calcium fluoride from 25 to 90.4 per cent (average 47.4%). The ore contains 0.01 to 5.7 per cent (average 0.21%) lead, 0.03 to 7.64% (average 0.49%), zinc, and 0.03 to 1.0% sulphur and phosphorus. Accessory copper, molybdenum, gallium, barium, antimony and cobalt are found. The quartz-fluorite subtype of the ore is common mainly on the southern flanks of the deposit. The ore body averaging 1.71 metres in thickness at the "Southern" location and 3.1 metres at the "Eastern" location decreases to zero towards the crest of the anticline. The ore of this subtype occurs at the base of the carbonate-fluorite ores, metasomatically replacing them. Structurally, the most common types of quartzfluorite ore are characterized by metasomatically impregnated, breccia like, mortar, and veinlet structures. Apart from quartz and fluorite, the ore contains barite, calcite, chlorite, ankerite, galena and secondary lead and zinc minerals. The fluorite is of light greenish shades. The gas-liquid inclusions are homogenized within a temperature range of 90 to 140C. Mass bursting of the inclusions occurs within a range of 100 to 180C. The PH value of the water extract from the fluorite is 7.7 - 7.4. Hence, it follows that in terms of morphology and structure the deposit is of the stratiform type. It occurs in a zone of an intraformational slip at the base of the marl formation that served as an impermeable screen. The hypogene mineralization is of the low-temperature hydrothermal-metasomatic type. The economic concentrations of the fluorite ore in the explored part of the Bakhud deposit amount to 8.8 million tonnes. A substantial increase of the reserves may be anticipated. Other fluorite occurrences known from the Bakhud ore district are identical to the Bakhud deposit in their structural position, the morphology of the ore bodies and mineral composition. The stable conditions of fluorite ore localization over a large territory and the restriction of the ore to a single structure suggest that the formation of the ore was associated with a regional thermal hydrodynamic system acting in recent times. Mercury formation Mercury occurrences are found in the Farah Rod, Tarnak and Hari Rod-Panjsher zones Table 1 [27, 93]. The outlines of the Farah Rod mercury-bearing zone almost coincide with the eastern part of the Farah Rod Trough. Within the zone, 32 mercury occurrences and a great number of rich mechanical mineralogical haloes of cinnabar have been detected. These are concentrated in two areas differing in geology and localization conditions of mercury mineralization (Kalat and Darwaza subzones). The Kalat Subzone is situated in the middle of the Farah Rod Zone. It consists of 24 mercury occurrences found along the Pasaband Fault Zone, the main ore-controlling structure of the area. The Pasaband Fault is a system of contiguous sub-parallel and diagonal high-angle minor faults that form a wide (up to 10-15 km) and extensive (over 300 km) zone of intensive jointing of the north-eastern strike. The mercury occurrences of the Kalat Subzone are similar in their mineralogical composition, geology and structural pattern, differing 22

only in size and the intensity of their mineralization. The specific features of the subzone will be considered using the example of the Kalat field and Panjshakh ore occurrence. The Kalat ore field is confined to the core of a large anticline, this core being composed of ValanginianHauterivian faulted and fractured carbonate-terrigenous rocks and the limbs, of Barremian-Aptian massive limestones. The core is faulted, forming a zone of intensive fracturing up to 2-3 km wide. Many fractures are healed by diorite porphyry dykes. The ore field consists of a series of contiguous en echelon zones of fracturing. The enclosing rocks are represented by brecciated and hydrothermally altered (pyritized, dickitized and silicified) calcareous siltstones, sandstones, limestones of Early Cretaceous age and diorite porphyry dykes, The mineralized zones dip steeply and extend for 150 to 350 metres, varying from 1 to 15 metres in thickness. The ore is notable for its extremely irregular mercury content. The Panjshakh occurrence is a lens of massive cinnabar emplaced in a layer of marmorized, brecciated, dickitized and silicified limestones embedded in Lower Cretaceous siltstones. The lens occurs at the intersection of three zones of fracturing. Cinnabar accounts for 50 to 70 per cent of the total ore volume. The Darwaza Subzone is situated in the north-eastern part of the Farah Rod Zone. Mercury mineralization is controlled by the Helmand deep-seated fault. The present structural pattern of the area is governed by narrow en echelon thrust sheets of Oligocene-Miocene red beds squeezed in Cretaceous strata along high-angle longitudinal faults or relatively low-angle overthrusts. The Darwaza, Surkhjoi and Solgkhoi occurrences are found in the subzone. The Darwaza mercury occurrence is confined to conglomerates, 50 metres thick, found at a hanging wall of a fault block that consists of Paleogene red beds resting under Lower Cretaceous shales. The conglomerates are penetrated by a dense network of fissures that are variously oriented and accompanied by zones of brecciation and hydrothermal alteration (dickitization and silicification). The zones are most prominent at the hanging wall of the conglomerate unit; an accumulation of dickite, dickite-quartz and quartz metasomatites, 2 to 15 metres thick and 1,000 metres long, is found there. Mercury mineralization occurring as cinnabar inclusions, veinlets, small pockets and selvages is traced in the meta-somatic rocks, as well as in the feathering fissures in the conglomerate at the footwall. The cinnabar occurs in quartz, dickite and calcite veins and in ferruginous carbonates. The Surkhjoi ore field is composed of red sandstones occurring between two conglomerate formations. The rocks are cut through by a series of high-angle transverse faults along which they are pyritized and carbonatized. Mercury mineralization is represented by cinnabar, finely disseminated in the hydrothermally altered rocks. The Sulgkhoi occurrence is confined to conglomerates, 150 to 230 metres thick, occurring at the hanging wall of red beds. At the hanging and foot walls and on the western flank, the conglomerates are bounded by high-angle faults accompanied by a dense network of variously-oriented fissures forming wide and extensive crush zones. Along the fissures, the conglomerate cement is intensely crystallized, dickitized, silicified and hematitized. Mercury mineralization is represented by cinnabar and metacinnabarite associated with iron and copper sulphides, hematite, quartz, dickite and barite. Cinnabar occurs in vein-lets or is disseminated in the patches of subparallel fissures. In the places where the fissures are most numerous, the cement of the rock is impregnated with abundant fine-dispersed cinnabar. The Tarnak mercury-bearing zone has been little studied. The mechanical mineralogical haloes of cinnabar known from the area are restricted to faults running in Cretaceous volcanics and accompanied by silicification, carbonatization and limonitization. Mineralogical crushed samples from these rocks show the presence of cinnabar associated with pyrite, hematite and secondary minerals of lead. Weight contents of cinnabar were established in mineralogical crushed samples from the hematite-calcite breccias in Cretaceous limestones. The Hari Rod-Panjsher mercury-bearing zone covers the southern margin of the North Afghanistan Platform, the Hari Rod Fault Zone and the western portion of the Afghanistan-South Pamir Folded Region. The Nayak occurrence of this zone is found in Eocene-Oligocene volcanic-sedimentary rocks. The mercury mineralization is represented by cinnabar disseminations associated with bornite, chalcopyrite and chalcocite in sandstones and gravelstones underlying basalt beds. Indications of mercury mineralization have also been observed in crush zones traceable in the basalt that is pervaded through by quartz and ferruginous-carbonate rock veins and bears pyrite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite and gold disseminations.

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The cinnabar from the occurrence always contains the following accessory elements: 0.03 to 0.02 per cent manganese, 0.01 to 0.1 per cent titanium, 0.0005 to 0.01 per cent copper, 0.001 to 0.002 per cent lead, 0.03 to 0.3 per cent zinc and 0.01 per cent strontium. The mercury mineralization exhibits a close spatial association with Miocene porphyry dykes, yet the mineralization is younger than the dykes. There is every reason to believe that the mercury mineralization is related to the Neogene-Quaternary tectono-magmatic activation. Barite vein formation is related to the processes of the Neogene-Quaternary activation of the North Afghanistan Platform and the Hari Rod Fault Zone. All the known deposits and occurrences of the formation are controlled by major faults of a nearly E-W strike. They occur in Cenozoic sedimentary and volcanic rocks, far from intrusions. The ore fields consist of systems of subparallel, closely spaced veins. The Gulran-Sang-i-Lan Fault, extending for over 100 km with a nearly east-west trend is the ore-controlling structure to which the Sang-i-Lan and Gulran deposits and numerous occurrences are confined. High-angle, nearly east west trending faults branching off the main fault are regarded as ore-enclosing. The ore field of the Sang-i-Lan deposit [6] is composed of Eocene-Oligocene lava, lava-breccia, tuff breccias, andesite and andesite-dacite sequence overlain by Neogene terrigenous red beds with a sharp angular unconformity. Three ore-bearing zones are distinguished in the area, incorporating over 30 steeply-dipping tabular barite veins. The veins vary from 600 to 2,500 metres in length and from 200 to 700 metres in width. The distribution of commercial concentrations depends greatly on the lithology and physico-mechanical properties of the country rocks. From the volcanics to the overlying terrigenous rocks, the veins split to small stringers and lenses and rapidly pinch out. The wall-rock alteration is slight; some baritization, chloritization and carbonatization of the country rocks have been noted. The veins vary from 0.5 to 6 metres in thickness and from 70 to 1,000 metres in length. The ore can be classified into several types: monomineral coarsecrystalline, fine-grained banded barite ores; coarse-crystalline barite-calcite ores and brecciated barite ores. The barite ore consists of white and pinkish white barite and small amounts of quartz, calcite, witherite, celestite, ankerite, chalcopyrite, galena and pyrite. The average content of the barium sulphate is 85.6 per cent. The barite-calcite ore is more abundant in calcite (over 15%). Some of the veins are characterized by distinct vertical zones. The monomineral barite ore is traced to a depth of 100 to 110 metres. In the 110 to 180-200 m interval there is barite-calcite ore, and from 200 metres downwards the veins are filled with calcite. The average silica content is 5.74 per cent; iron oxide 0.35 per cent; soluble salts 0.28 per cent (including 0.07 per cent calcium salts). The accessory elements in barite ores are represented by lead, copper, manganese, nickel, beryllium (0.0003 to 0.06 per cent), titanium, magnesium, phosphorus (0.01 to 0.3 per cent) and strontium (0.5 to 5 per cent). Barite-lead-zinc formation The deposits and occurrences of this formation are confined to a fault system to the north of the YakovlangBamyan Graben and are found mostly in the Gorband River basin. Most typical of this formation is the Farenjal deposit of Neogene age, consisting of sheet-like bodies of monomineral barite, barite-lead-zinc and lead-zinc ores restricted to Paleozoic brecciated limestones. Barite ore bodies extend for 10 to 130 metres, varying in thickness from 1 to 12 metres. The content of barium sulphate in certain ore bodies ranges from 56.16 to 92.76 per cent, with a lead and zinc content of 2 to 9 per cent. Barite is associated with calcite, gypsum, anhydrite, quartz, chlorite and ankerite. The ore also contains galena, sphalerite, pyrite and marcasite. In the lower horizons of the deposit, barite-lead-zinc ores grade into lead-and-zinc ores. Formation of lead-and-zinc ore in carbonate rocks incorporates lead-and-zinc occurrences of the types most commonly found in Afghanistan. They occur predominantly in the Afghanistan-South Pamir Folded. Region and include the Nalbandan deposit, a great number of occurrences such as Gawmazar-Targanaw, Sarghul and others and some of the lead-and-zinc occurrences of the Darrah Nur ore field (Argandab-Tirin zone). The ore-bearing zone of the Nalbandan deposit is confined to Triassic limestone beds and cherts. The ore body varies in thickness from 3 to 9 metres and extends up to 850 metres. The average contents are as follows: 0.87 per cent lead and 5.77 per cent zinc.

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At the surface, the zone is marked by outcrops of slightly oxidized ore and silicified, limonitized and carbonatized breccias. The principal ore minerals are represented by galena and sphalerite with accessory chalcopyrite, pyrite, pyrrhotite, boulangerite and stibnite. Cerussite, anglesite, smithsonite, pyromorphite, siderite and limonite are secondary. Several dozen occurrences of thin formation are known in the Afghanistan-South Pamir Folded Region. Their rich ores of the disseminated, veinlet and pocket types warrant further study. Some of the Pb-Zn occurrences of the Darrahr-Nur ore district (Yakata-Khum, Darrah Nur and others) are assigned to this formation tentatively. These occur in Triassic flat-lying limestones in a close spatial association with numerous diorite and diabase porphyry dykes of Miocene age. In addition, small massifs of Oligocene granitic rocks are known to intrude the limestones, producing skarn zones. The hydrothermal alteration of the ore-bearing carbonate rocks manifests itself in talcatization, silicification and carbonatization. The association of the lead-and-zinc mineralization with diabase porphyrite dykes is spatial, as shown by R.M. Khasanov [78] and the mineralization is confined to high-angle faults. The zones of intensely brecciated limestones at the contacts with dykes - the places where the dykes intersect the pre-mineralization faults, as well as intraformational breccias formed in the limestones near the dykes - have provided the most favourable conditions for lead and zinc localization. The morphology of the ore bodies depends on the zone configuration. In most cases the ore occurs in lenses, less frequently in vein-like bodies. The depth of the oxidized zone reaches 50 to 100 metres, the metal content being as follows: 0.5 to 5 per cent lead, 0.5 to 12 per cent zinc and 0.1 to 1.2 per cent copper. The ore also contains significant amounts of cadmium, tin, tungsten and silver. Lead-and-zinc occurrences and deposits in the Region of Alpine Folding south-west of Khost town (Spira deposit, and others) are included tentatively in this formation. These are found in the basal Paleogene conglomerates. The ore is disseminated in specks and veinlets. The metalliferous zone is surrounded by silicified, ferruginized, sericitized and kaolinized rocks. It is controlled by faults and fractures developed at the base of the Paleogene terrigenous-carbonate strata. The ore minerals are represented by sphalerite, galena, pyrite and, less commonly, chalcopyrite. The ore is massive, of a veinlet dissemination type. The intensely fractured metalliferous zone extends for 5 kilometres. Rich patches of economic concentrations reach 400 metres in length and 7 to 15 metres in thickness. The ore contains 0.3-2.07 per cent lead, and 0.799.32 per cent zinc.

Pyrite Deposits The pyritic ore deposits found in Afghanistan belong to the formation of subvolcanic hydrothermalmetasomatic ores. Spatially, these are associated with volcanogeneous rocks of different ages in the Regions of Hercynian Folding and in the South Afghanistan Median Mass. Numerous occurrences of the Middle Kabul copper ore district, which exhibit a close association with Proterozoic metavolcanics, are assigned to the this formation. In the Region of Hercynian Folding, pyritic ore occurrences are found in Lower Carboniferous and Upper Triassic volcanogenous sequences. One of these (Balkhob) occurs in the basement of the North Afghan Platform. The copper-pyrite mineralization is localized in a fault zone running through an area underlain by Ordovician sandstones and schists and Late Triassic subvolcanic rocks. The zone of intensely crushed, silicified and limonitized rocks, 4 to 5 kilometres in length and 300 to 400 metres in width, is rich in disseminated pyrite, galena, malachite and azurite. The stretches of most intensive mineralization extend for 300 to 400 metres, averaging 20 to 50 metres in thickness. The pyritic ore occurrences and deposits known from the South Afghanistan Median Mass are found in Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous volcanogenous formations. The Shayda deposit and the Dusar and Namaksori occurrences have been most thoroughly studied. The ore field of the Shayda deposit is composed of Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous terrigenousvolcanogenous strata, 600 metres thick (Fig. 9). Two types of pyrite-lead-zinc mineralization have been established. One of them is found in a crush zone, 200 to 300 metres wide and over 3 kilometres long. The steeply-dipping ore bodies, 2 to 8 metres thick and 150 to 800 metres long, are composed of disseminated specks and veinlets of pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, galena, sphalerite and hematite. The other type of ore 25

forms blind, sheet-like metasomatic bodies occurring in volcanic rocks at their contacts with siliceousterrigenous deposits. The ore bodies were located by a resistivity survey and studied by drilling. The bodies are 2,500 by 400 metres, 900 by 50 metres and 960 by 90 metres in size, varying from 1 to 8 metres in thickness. They are composed of quartz-sericite and quartz-sericite-chlorite rocks carrying impregnated and disseminated mineralization. Massive pyritic ore is fairly common. The ore minerals are mostly represented by pyrite and pyrrhotite with subordinate chalcopyrite, sphalerite, marcasite and galena. The Dusar and Namaksori occurrences are found in similar geological environments. The ore minerals are represented by pyrite, pyrrhotite, marcasite and chalcopyrite. The small Early Cretaceous granitic rock intrusions within the ore fields intersect and metamorphose the ore bodies. A great number of copper occurrences from the Middle Kabul copper-bearing ore district, found in Proterozoic altered volcanics and schists, are apparently of the same ore formation [31]. The ore bodies vary in thickness and in length. The ore occurs in veinlets and pockets, or is disseminated. The paragenesis of the ore minerals is similar to that of the Aynak deposit described below, except that the ores in question are more abundant in magnetite and hematite (the latter occasionally bears titanium). Copper occurrences are commonly found in the close vicinity of metasomatic iron occurrences with typical epidote-amphibole facies paragenesis: magnetite (hematite) + quartz + plagioclase + amphibole + epidote (biotite). In some occurrences (e.g. Dashtak), copper and iron ores are found together. All these factors are presumably indicative of an original copper-pyrite type of mineralization that was later affected by metamorphism in a low sulphur content environment. The pyrite occurrences found in Afghanistan are of a low economic value, but the Region of Hercynian Folding that has not as yet been studied adequately contains basic volcanics, subvolcanic and abyssal igneous rocks of an early geosyncline stage, including numerous occurrences of copper mineralization. These areas seem promising for pyrite ore deposits.

Metamorphogenetic Mineral Deposits This class includes: (1) commercial copper deposits and some copper occurrences found in the Middle Kabul district; (2) metamorphosed iron ore deposits and occurrences from the Hari Rod Belt of ferriferous mineralization [2, 31, 32]. A.M. Belevtsev at al. [13] believe that a metamorphogenetic deposit is a concentration of minerals formed prior to metamorphism and altered during the subsequent processes of metamorphism. In origin, the commercial copper deposits of the Middle Kabul district can be attributed to a sedimentary group, a metamorphosed subgroup, and those of the Hari Rod Belt of iron mineralization, to a volcanogenous group. Formation of stratiform bornite-chalcopyrite ore This ore formation includes the deposits and occurrences known from the Middle Kabul copper-bearing ore district (Aynak, Darband, etc.), which is a part of the Kabul Zone. Copper mineralization is widespread there and is closely associated with Vendian-Cambrian rocks. Economic concentrations of copper are found at several stratigraphic levels of the Loy Khwar terrigenous-carbonate formation. The Aynak copper deposit is confined to the basal (productive) member of the formation. The Aynak ore field is a segment of a large anticline the exposed productive carbonate and schist beds of which rest unconformably on an amphiboliteschist (metavolcanic) series consisting of para-amphibolite, ortho-amphibolite, amphibolite, garnetamphibole and garnet-biotite schists. The paragenesis of the rocks are amphibole + biotite + quartz + plagioclase No. 10-20 + magnetite (hematite) and amphibole + epidote + quartz + plagioclase + magnetite. These are of a high-temperature epidote-amphibolite facies. In some zones, albitite is of a regressive paragenesis: amphibole + albite + quartz + magnetite (hematite), epidote + albite + magnetite (hematite), glaucophane + albite + magnetite (hematite), which is a local manifestation of sodium metasomatosis in the environment of a greenschist glaucophane facies. The rocks are poorly mineralized. Copper forms veinlets and disseminations exhibiting the following mineral association: pyrite + pyrrhotite + chalcopyrite + sphalerite. The productive formation over 350 metres thick consists of parallel-bedded dolomitic silicate marble (dolomite + calcite + quartz + plagioclase No. 20-25 + biotite (phlogopite) frequently interbedded with quartzite and metapelitic schists (biotite + quartz + plagioclase + orthoclase) occasionally bearing 26

carbonaceous matter and gneiss-like rocks of quartz-feldspar composition (apparently polymictic sandstone originally) interbedded with dolomites and schists. Copper is found in the horizons consisting of dolomites and regularly alternating quartzites, schists and feldspathic or quartz-feldspathic rocks. There are two concordant ore bodies (Fig. 10): the lower one is intermittent, 5 to 40 metres thick and over 1.5 kilometres long, and composed of comparatively low-grade. ore (0.6-1.2%), the upper one is more rich in copper (1.23.2%), showing a regular distribution. The thickness of the ore body varies from 5 to 160 metres, its extent exceeding 1.5 km and is more than 1,000 m down the dip. Various types of hypogene ore can be distinguished at the deposit: chalcopyrite-bornite (low in pyrite), bornite (pyrite-free), pyrite-chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite-pyrite (with sphalerite). The ore is commonly banded-disseminated or disseminated, blastogranular, monometallic with accessory cobalt (cobaltite, smaltite), nickel (gersdorffite), zinc (sphalerite) and molybdenum (molybdenite). The cobalt-to-nickel ratio is > 1. The early period of ore formation is blotted out by epigenetic activity, yet the evidence available indicates that the copper ore was initially of sedimentary origin. For instance, the ore minerals are distributed in bands, this being particularly pronounced in banded quartzitic dolomite, banded metapsammites and metapelites. The mineralized laminae are remarkably persistent in thickness (from 1 mm. to several centimetres) and in strike, repeating the structural pattern of a bed, e.g. plication, puckering, etc. Further evidence favouring a sedimentary origin is that certain ore mineral assemblages are found in certain lithological varieties. For example, pyrrhotite + pyrite + sphalerite + chalcopyrite occur in metapelitic carbonaceous shale: bornite or bornite + chalcopyrite, in dolomite, and bornite + chalcopyrite + pyrite in metapsammites. Generally, the ore bodies consist of the following zones: the essentially bornite ore occurs in the middle, the amount of bornite decreases and that of chalcopyrite increases towards the hanging and foot walls where the ore is composed of one mineral, chalcopyrite. Secretion stringers, pockets, lenses and small cross and parallel quartz-sulphide veins were formed in the ore body as a result of metamorphism, but with respect to the total volume of the ore body, these are too small in size and so of minor importance. Thus, the Middle Kabul ore district contains metamorphogenetic copper deposits of two initial genetic types. The sedimentary-type deposits resemble stratified ore accumulations of the cuprous sandstone type. In this case, the ore-enclosing terrigenous-carbonate unit should probably be interpreted as the orogenic terrigenouscarbonate formation. The copper pyrite deposits (see above) are found in basic and intermediate metavolcanic rocks, all notable for the complex epigenetic history of the ore formation involving intensive metamorphism of the epidote-amphibole facies and low-temperature regressive metamorphism of the green-schist, locally glaucophane, facies. This ultimately produced a peculiar hydrothermal-metasomatic "remobilized" ore type. To conclude, the genesis of mineralization in the Middle Kabul copper-bearing ore district should be considered along with the appropriate rock assemblages, taking into account the composition of the source rocks responsible for the initial concentrations of the metal, the role of metamorphism and hydrothermalmetasomatic activity involved, and the relation of the ore formations to the metamorphic zones, as well as to the general structural pattern of the area. The proportion of the primary and redeposited concentrations of the ore substance is important, considering the complex history of the ore formation. Formation of metamorphosed iron deposits This formation combines the iron deposits and occurrences of the Hari Rod - Panjsher Zone extending for 600 kilometres from the town of Herat to the upper reaches of the Panjsher River. These occur in Proterozoic metamorphic carbonate and volcanic rock sequences and, occasionally, in the crystalline basement of the Kabul Zone. Compositionally, the deposits of this formation are divided into hematite-magnetite, siderite-magnetite and ferruginous quartzite types. The hematite-magnetite type covers almost all the deposits and occurrences of the Hari Rod - Panjsher Zone with iron mineralization including the Hajigak iron ore deposit, the largest in the Middle East [90]. The ore of this deposit commonly occurs in conformable beds, occasionally, in lenses or veins of irregular configuration. The country rocks of Late Proterozoic age are represented by sericitic, quartz-sericite and carbonate-chlorite-sericite schists, greenschist-altered intermediate volcanics, quartzite and marmorized dolomite. Economic concentrations are found mainly at the contacts between the volcanics and terrigenouscarbonate rocks. The country rocks are silicified, sericitized and carbonatized. The contacts of the ore bodies 27

with the country rocks are fairly distinct, though in places (particularly in carbonate rocks) the country rocks are impregnated and pierced by hematite-magnetite veins. The Hajigak deposit is composed of primary and semi-oxidized ores, the oxidized zone reaching a thickness of 100 metres. The primary ore consists of magnetite and hematite with irregularly disseminated pyrite. Some chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite is occasionally found. The non-metallic minerals are represented by siderite, calcite, quartz, rarely plagioclase, barite and actinolite. The pyrite-magnetite ore contains 56.24-68.80 per cent (av. 61.30%) iron, including up to 5 per cent pyrite-associated iron. Sulphur (0.06-0.2%) and phosphorus (0.05%) are impurities and manganese (0.19%), nickel (up to 0.01%), copper (up to 0.01%) and cobalt (up to 0.001%) are accessories. The semi-oxidized ore can be classified into hydrogoethite-semimartite, hydrogoethite-hematite-semimartite and carbonate-semimartite types. The hydrogoethite-semimartite ore consists of magnetite, martite, hydrogoethite, goethite, occasionally hematite, as well as pyrite, quartz, siderite, calcite, dolomite, chlorite and talc. The ore is massive, less frequently banded. The hydrogoethite-hematite-semimartite ore is composed of lepidoblastic foliated hematite, magnetite, martite, hydrogoethite and rarely pyrite. The ore is banded, slightly banded, and less frequently massive. It contains 52.29-68.32 per cent (aver. 62.50%) iron with negligible impurities (0.11 per cent sulphur and 0.6 per cent phosphorus). The carbonate-semimartite ore occurs predominantly in patches and bands. It consists of magnetite, martite, occasionally hematite and hydrogoethite. Disseminated pyrite may be encountered locally. The iron content varies from 28.24 to 62.83 per cent, averaging 49.82 per cent. The content of impurities is 0.06 per cent sulphur and 0.05 per cent phosphorus. The deposits of the siderite-hematite (ferrocarbonate) formation are represented by thick and extensive bedshaped and lenticular bodies of siderite-hematite ore reaching 30 metres in thickness and several kilometres in extension. The ore bodies occur in Proterozoic carbonate rocks in the Hari Rod Fault Zone and in the Panjsher River basin (Nukrokhona, Chukrinaw and other deposits). The principal constituents of the ore are hematite and siderite. Apart from the iron minerals, the ore contains some manganese, copper, lead, zinc and silver. The contacts of the ore bodies with the marmorized limestone are well defined. The iron content reaches 60-65 per cent. The inferred reserves of iron ore from the deposits of this group have been estimated as hundreds of million tonnes. It should be noted, however, that the reserves of iron ores are spread over large areas, while individual mineral deposits are relatively small. Jaspilite formation Iron deposits and occurrences assigned to this formation are not numerous. They occur in Proterozoic marble-quartzite-gneiss sequence of the Kabul Zone (Gesday and other deposits). The jaspilite beds reach 10 meters in thickness and several hundred metres in length. Martite developed after magnetite is the principal are mineral. The jaspilite occurrences have not been adequately studied. The possibility of discovering larger iron deposits of the formation under discussion is vague, though the Precambrian sequence may contain such deposits. High intensity magnetic anomalies recorded in the region and amounting to 50-60 thousand gammas may be suggestive of thick beds of jaspilite concealed under the Neogene deposits. Metamorphogenetic graphite formation This formation includes numerous graphite occurrences found in Precambrian metamorphic rocks (Sanglech, Khawri, etc.). The Sanglech deposit discovered in Southern Badakhshan [41] consists of lens-like bodies with large-flake graphite. These are up to 5 metres thick and 50 metres long and occur in Precambrian gneiss and schist. Within the Khawri occurrence (the Kabul Zone), graphite is found in Precambrian quartzite-marble beds. The graphite-bearing quartzite beds are from 1 to 5 metres thick and many kilometres long. Although the graphite mineralization has been little studied, the outcrops of ancient metamorphic complexes are likely to contain graphite deposits.

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Sedimentary Mineral Deposits According to V.I. Smirnov's classification, the sedimentary mineral deposits of Afghanistan fall into the following three genetic groups: mechanical, chemogenic and biochemical. The first group comprises placers of gold, deposits of sand, quartzose sandstone, and clay; the second group is represented by bauxite, rock salt, celestine, gypsum and native sulphur deposits; the third group comprises phosphorite, carbonate rock and other mineral deposits. Mechanical Mineral Deposits Gold Placers Placers of gold have been encountered mainly in the north of the country, in the drainage basin of the Panj River. Small placers of gold occur also in South Afghanistan. The discovered placers of gold are of alluvial and alluvial-fan types formed as the result of erosion of both endogenous and exogenous gold deposits and occurrences, deriving also from intermediate collectors of gold represented by Neogene and Lower Quaternary conglomerates. Placers of gold are known in the Kokcha, Wardudj, Panj, Zardew, Farkhar, Chal, Andarab, Nuraba, Zarkashan and other valleys. Most promising placers are found within the PamirBadakhshan gold-bearing belt. This group comprises the Samti, Nuraba, Anjir and Hasar placers of gold. The largest in this group is the Samti placer deposit of alluvial type confined to the flood plain and the first terrace of the Panj River (55, 56, 118). The alluvial deposits of the placer, up to 30-40 m thick, are represented in the upper portion by sand and loams with interbeds of gravelly-pebbly material. The placer, 8 km long and from 900 to 1,700 m wide, has commercial concentration of the gold down to the depth of 27.9 m. The cross section of the placer is characterized by the presence of two horizons. The lower horizon, 20 to 45 m thick, consists of pebbly-sandy-gravelly material. The upper horizon is made up of sand and loam mixture from 5 to 20 m in thickness. The placer was formed over a prolong period of time having accumulated gold deriving from Middle Pleistocene rocks and from the matrix of Lower Pliocene conglomerate exposing on either sides of the Panj Valley. Some of the gold was brought into the placer from the primary gold occurrences encountered in the drainage basin of the Dawang River. The Samti placer is characterized by an irregular distribution of gold, both in plan and throughout the vertical section. The highest concentration of gold is found in the middle portion of the placer. The gold-bearing layer lies on the bedrock and elluvium, generally repeating in the cross section the relief of the bedrock. Locally the layer occurs in the middle of the sequence of alluvial deposits. Gold content in the layer varies between 100 mg/cu m and 30-40 g/cu m. The layer is from 0.25 to 4 m thick. Lithologically the layer is similar to the overburden and its upper limit is established only by sampling data. In the deposits that overly the gold-bearing layer the gold content does not exceed 1 g/cu m. There are three workable placers in the area: the Right-Hand, the Central and the Marginal. The Right-Hand Placer is 5.02 km long and go to 490 m wide averaging 493 mg/cu m gold per rock mass under the average excavation depth of 30.8 m The Marginal Placer is located at the left side of the valley, where there are two workable pay streaks, 1.48 and 1.8 km long and 80 and 280 m wide, averaging 252 mg/cu m and 275 mg/cu m gold, respectively. The gold from the Samti Placer is yellow, dark yellow and light yellow, perfectly or well rounded, the average carat value being 955.2. Granulometrically, most of the gold particles exceed 1 mm in diameter (55). In addition to the Samti Placer, there are minor commercial placers located in the Nuraba, Hasar and Anjir valleys and at the left bank of the lower course of the Panj River. All these placers are of alluvial-valley type. These are between 2.3 and 4.6 km long, 30 and 100 m wide. The thickness of their alluvial deposits is from 7 to 14 m. All these placers are of simple structure. The gold-bearing layers resting on the bedrock are lithologically similar to the overburden. The content of gold is not uniform both across and along the pay streaks, varying from 50 mg/cu m to 19 g/cu m. The overburden also contains from a few milligrams per cu m to 300 mg/cu m gold. The washing capacity of the auriferous sand and the overburden is good. 80% of gold is encountered in particles larger than 1 mm across. Gold reserves of the Hasar Placer amount to 437 kg, those at the Nuraba Placer, 210 kg, and of the Anjir Placer, 155 kg (56, 118).

29

Non-commercial placers of gold are known in the Takhar (Chah-i-Ab, Jar Boshi) and Ghazni (Zarkashan) provinces. In addition to these placers, there are some 70 mechanical mineralogical haloes outlined in various regions of the country where gold content varies from single colours to weighable concentrations. Sandstones and Quartzites The Koh-e-Alburs deposit of sand is located 30-35 km south-west of Mazare Sharif. The deposit is represented by a unit of massive, slightly-cemented sandstone, 225 m thick and about 2 km in extension. The unit occurs in terrigenous-carbonate sequence of Late Cretaceous age. The quality of sand is good. Its reserves are estimated at 11 million tonnes. A deposit of dinas refractory rock represented by a lenticular body of quartzite-like sandstone and quartzite, 32 to 70 m thick, resting in Upper Devonian carbonate sequence, is located in the area of the Hajigak iron deposit. The quality of the raw material is suitable for manufacturing II-class dinas. The sandstone reserves are estimated at 650 thousand tonnes. Kaolin and Clay Mineral deposits of various in quality clays are confined chiefly to Jurassic, Upper Cretaceous, Paleogene and Recent rock units. High-quality kaolin clays occur in the Dane-i-Tor Valley, where the clay bed is 5 m thick and several hundred meters long. Near the Tala Barfak Village, there is a large deposit of foundry and refractory clays represented by two beds, 2.6 and 4 m thick and 220 m in strike length, occurring in the Lower-Middle Jurassic sequence. The plays are of medium plasticity, high caking and dispersion ability. The clay reserves are 385 thousand tonnes.

Chemogenic Deposits Bauxite and bauxite-type deposits Bauxite-bearing beds are known in several regions of the country, namely in the south-east segment of the North Afghanistan Platform, in the eastern part of South Afghanistan and within the Afghanistan-South Pamir Folded Region. Bauxite-bearing rocks occur at various stratigraphic levels, in lithologically different sequences of sedimentary rocks. Bauxites and bauxite-type beds are most common at the base of carbonate rock units where they form the basal horizons of sedimentary rock sequences separated by erosion and stratigraphic unconformity surfaces. Less common are these beds in redeposited crusts of weathering developed on igneous rocks. To-date we know five stratigraphic levels notable for the presence of bauxite and bauxite-type beds. These are in the Lower Permian, in the Pamir horizon, in the Upper Triassic, at the base and in the upper part of Upper Jurassic sequence. Bauxite beds of Early Permian age (Chorgala occurrence in Ghazni Province) occur at the base of the Artinskian-Pamir Series made up of limestone and dolomite (Fig. 11). The bauxite bed, from 6 to 8 m thick, is exposed over 100 m of the strike length. The bauxite appears as brown, greenish-grey, dirty green rock of oolitic texture and of mainly massive structure, locally exhibiting a vague bedding. The alumina content in the bauxite amounts to 29-40% with the Al: Si ratio ranging from 2 to 6 (75). The bauxites confined to the Pamir horizon (Koh-e Safed occurrence in Ghor Province) form lenses, 1.5-2.5 m thick and 15-20 m long, occurring at the base of a limestone unit of the horizon. The bauxite contains up to 48.6% Al2O3, up to 23.3% SiO2, and 17-23% Fe2O3 (43). The bauxite-bearing rocks confined the base of the Jurassic sequence occur in Northern Afghanistan (Tala Barfak occurrence in Baghlan Province). They form a tabular body in a crust of weathering developed over Upper Triassic effusives of basic composition that is overlain by Jurassic carbonaceous rocks. The bauxitebearing bed consists in its lower portion of rockwaste-grussy crust of weathering, 5 to 8 m thick, while its upper part appears as a bedded unit of foliated clay with inter-bedded bauxite and bauxite-type rocks from 2.5 to 3 m in thickness. The bauxite contains 52.34% alumina, 19.9% silica, 16.5% iron oxide, 1.4% calcium oxide, 0.75% 30

magnesium oxide, with Al2O3/SiO2 ratio being 2.6. The data of chemical analysis of the other varieties of clayey rocks from the bauxite-bearing unit suggest that partly these are low-iron allites with 0.98-2.17 Al2O3/SiO2 ratio and partly low-iron siallites with 0.82 and lower Al2O3/SiO2 ratio. The bauxite-bearing layer is made up of a grey rock that consists of rounded boehmite beans, up to 4 mm across, cemented by kaolinboehmite cryptocrystalline matrix. Because of the small size this occurrence is of no practical value (19). Much more interesting are the bauxites occurring at the highest stratigraphic level, namely in the Upper Jurassic sequence. Bauxite occurrences of this age are known within five localities in the surroundings of Kandahar (42). Most thoroughly studied of these five occurrences is the Obatu Shela Occurrence, where the bauxite-bearing rocks are found at the base of the Wargach Formation of terrigenous-carbonate rocks that overly transgressively the Middle-Upper Jurassic limestones of the Paynawa Formation. This basal horizon of bauxite-bearing rocks is traceable within an area of several tens of square kilometres. The horizon comprises lenses and sheet-like bodies of bauxite and bauxite-type rocks, such as allite and siallite, that are predominant over pure bauxite. The bauxite lenses and interbeds are up to 250 m long and 6 m thick. The bauxite and bauxite-type rock are interrelated by gradual transitions and thus can only be identified by sampling data. By the mode of occurrence there can be distinguished two types of bauxite bodies. The first type is represented by bauxite bodies found in karst holes, fissures and cavities encountered on the surface of Jurassic limestone of the Paynowa Formation. The bauxites, underlain by conglomerate and containing abundant fragments and blocks of limestone, are overlain by either sandy-argillaceous deposits or, less commonly, bauxite-type rocks, that contain no beans. Bauxite bodies of the second type appear as "hanging" bodies, separated from the surface of carbonate rock unit by interbeds of clayey and sandy-clayey bauxitetype rocks. Outwardly, the bauxites appear as hard massive rock of green, brick-red, brown-lilac colour exhibiting a conchoidal fracture and oolitic texture. From the country rocks the bauxites differ by their pisolitic texture. The diaspore and boehmite pisoliths are cemented by a matrix consisting of a mixture of hydromica, iron hydroxides, minute grains of quartz, rutile, and zircon. The bauxites contain from 56 to 71% Al2O3, from 12 to 18% SiO2, between 12 and 18% Fe2O3, the Al2O3:SiO2 ratio varying between 2.7 and 6.8. The speculative reserves of the 5-4 grade bauxite are 30-35 million tonnes (42). Rock Salt Rock salt is being extracted now at 13 localities of Afghanistan. The total reserves of rock salt are estimated at 1 million tonnes under the annual output of about 30 thousand tonnes. There are several types of rock salt deposits currently being worked. These are salt domes in Upper Jurassic sequence; lit-par-lit rock salt beds in Pliocene sequence; salt lakes and Recent lacustrine sediments. The largest rock salt deposit of Namakab (103) is located in the Takhar Province in Northern Afghanistan. The deposit is represented by gypsum-salt domes formed in Jurassic sequence overlain by PaleogeneNeogene sedimentary rocks. Individual domes are several kilometres in diameter. The domes consist of white and grey, locally reddish salt, containing abundant impurities. One of the domes, currently being worked, is 400 m thick and 1,500 m across. Rock salt content in the dome reaches 99%. One more locality with rock salt contained in primary rocks is situated in the Afghanistan-South Pamir Folded Region, north of the Rukh Pass. In this locality beds and lenses of rock salt occur in Tertiary sequence composed of variegated terrigenous rocks with interbeds and lenses of gypsiferous marl. At the Rukh deposit exploited by the locals the rock salt beds are up to 20 m thick, and the salt content varies between 60 and 99%. Salt is also extracted through evaporation of salt brines from salt lakes located in the Faryab, Samangan, Herat and Kandahar provinces. Celestine Celestine deposits occur in the Afghanistan-South Tadjikistan Depression (Northern Afghanistan). There are two celestine deposits in the region, namely the Tangi Murch and Kortaw, characterized by similar geological 31

setting. Celestine beds and lenses of these deposits occur at the contact of the Susakian and Bukhara rock units of Paleogene age. At the Kortaw deposit the celestine bed, 0.9 to 1.5 m thick, has been traced for 1.41 m along the strike and for 140 m down dip. In many places the bed is overlain by Quaternary deposits of small thickness and thus can be easily worked. Compositionally, the bed is very uniform, being composed of white and light blue, fine- and medium-grained celestine that contains fragments and rare interbeds of limestone. In addition, the celestine contains inconsiderable amounts of gypsum and native sulphur. Average celestine content in the bed reaches 76.91% under 3.86 g/cu.cm. density with soluble in water salt content of 0.36% and 3.7 g/cu.cm. volumetric mass. Speculative reserves of the celestine at the Kortaw deposit amount to 1 million tonnes. At the Tangi Murch deposit characterized by smaller dimensions of the workable bed with celestine content approximately equalling to that of the Kortaw deposit the celestine reserves amount to 85.6 thousand tonnes (77, 110). Gypsum In Afghanistan there are several small deposits of gypsum currently being under exploitation. These are the Mesene, Baglan, Talikan, and some others. The deposits occur chiefly in Cretaceous and Tertiary sequences that contain gypsum beds varying in thickness from a few centimetres to several meters. The gypsum is pure of white and grey colour. The Derdkash and Shurab (Baghlan Province), Pushte-Koh, Rabat-i-Sapcha (Herat Province), and Surkh Rod (Nangarhar Province) gypsum deposits are being worked now through a pick-andshovel method. Gypsum reserves have not been estimated. A general evaluation of the deposits suggests that the reserves may exceed 1 million tonnes. Sulphur More than 20 sulphur deposits and occurrences of apparently sedimentary origin are known in Afghanistan. Sheet-like and lenticular bodies of sulphur occur mostly in marly and clayey limestones that make up the upper portion of Cretaceous sequence and, partly, in Neogene deposits of Northern Afghanistan. The largest sulphur deposits are those of Sanglech and Alburs. The Sanglech deposit, located in Badakhshan (Sanglech Ridge), has 250 thousand tonnes of speculative sulphur reserves. Within this deposit sulphur-bearing beds are exposed at the surface and contain from 50 to 80% sulphur. The Alburs deposit is located south of Mazare Sharif. The sulphur-bearing bed occurs in Senomanian limestone and contains from 40 to 60% sulphur. The reserves of this deposit have not been estimated. Total sulphur reserves of the country are estimated at 580 thousand tonnes. The annual recovery of sulphur amounts to about 3-4 thousand tonnes.

Biochemical Deposits Phosphorite Phosphorite mineralization is a rare phenomenon in Afghanistan. A single phosphorite deposit is known in the country. This is located in between the Laman Village and Kotal-i-Sabzak Pass (Herat Province). In this area there is quite an extensive bed, 0.3 to 1.1 m in thickness, resting at the base of Senomanian sequence in dark clay with interbedded sandstone and lime-stone. The bed is composed of irregular in shape phosphorite nodules, 0.5 to 6 cm across, of grey or black-grey colour. The nodules are cemented by a carbonatephosphate matrix. The phosphorite nodules contain up to 5-6% impurities represented by glauconite and quartz grains. The phosphate-carbonate matrix contains up to 20% of the impurities and phosphoritized ammonite, pelecypod, gastropod and other shells with minor nests of finely crystalline calcite. Chemical analysis of the phosphorite has revealed from 6.2 to 9.7% P205. K.Ya. Mikhailov, who was the first to describe this deposit, considered the phosphorite to be of the noduletype formed within a platform. The fact that rock units similar to the above-described one are quite common in Northern Afghanistan suggests that the region may be promising for some other phosphorite occurrences (102). 32

Carbonate Rocks Afghanistan disposes of inexhaustible reserves of carbonate rocks used for production of building materials. Currently in use are marly flaggy and massive limestones and other building materials. Various in color marbles are used now as decorative stones. Most valuable of these are unique aragonite occurrences discovered in the south of Afghanistan, as well as the occurrence of pink marble located in the Kandahar area. Carbonate rocks used as raw material for cement production and in metallurgical industry are being worked in various parts of the country. A large limestone deposit supplying a raw material for a cement plant is located close to Pule Khumri. The deposit consists of Danian-Paleocene limestone beds, 300 to 400 m thick, exposed in the area of several thousand sq km. The limestone is pure, containing 52-53% lime, 0.8 to 1.3% MgO and 1.3% insoluble residue. Flux limestone and refractory dolomite deposits have been explored near Bamyan. The deposits, confined to Upper Permian sequence are represented by limestone and dolomite beds from 40 to 160 m in thickness and several hundred meters long. The flux limestone reserves have been estimated at about 1 million tonnes.

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Chapter 2 METALLOGENETIC EPOCHS

Five metallogenetic epochs, Baikalian, Caledonian, Hercynian, Mesozoic and Alpine related to tectonomagmatic cycles of different ages are recognized in the geological history of Afghanistan by Yu.S. Perfiliev et. al. (114). The authors of the present monograph (29) distinguish Pre-Baikalian, Baikalian, Hercynian and Alpine epochs related to Archean, Proterozoic, Late Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic and Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonomagmatic cycles responsible for the corresponding ore formations (Table 2).

Pre-Baikalian metallogenetic epoch Endogenetic mineralization of this age is known from the Southern Badakhshan. It is found in ferromagnesian crystalline rocks as phlogopite and molybdenite occurrences, and beryl-bearing muscovite pegmatite bodies. Lazurite deposits and occurrences, including the largest Sare-Sang deposit are also known from the area.

Baikalian metallogenetic epoch Baikalian metallogenetic epoch covers the Late Proterozoic to Cambrian period and consists of two metallogenetic stages. The early stage of mineralization is related to a geosyncline-type magmatism, which produced metamorphogenetic iron occurrences and large hydrothermal metasomatic iron deposits. Many copper-pyrite occurrences were formed in geosyncline sedimentary-volcanic formations of the Kabul District during this period. Endogenetic mineralization of the late stage is associated with the orogenic activity responsible for the formation of muscovite, beryl, magnesite and talc deposits and occurrences. Numerous sedimentary-metamorphogenetic copper occurrences and deposits of the Kabul ore district localized in the Vendian-Cambrian orogenic terrigenous-carbonate formation may have formed at this stage.

Hercynian metallogenetic epoch Hercynian metallogenetic epoch covers the period of Early Carboniferous through Late Triassic. It is divisible into two stages, the Early Carboniferous to Permian and the Late Triassic. The Early Carboniferous to Permian stage of endogenetic mineralization is related to the geosyncline-type magmatism. It is represented mainly by copper-pyrite and gold-base metal occurrences of hydrothermal origin. The Triassic stage of endogenetic mineralization is related to the orogenic-type magmatism. Copper, lead, zinc, gold, fluorite and silver occurrences of hydrothermal and skarn origin are associated with subvolcanic granite formations. Skarn and permatite occurrences of tin, tungsten, beryllium, etc. are related to granite batholith formation, and Ta and Nb occurrences are associated with apogranites.

Alpine metallogenetic epoch Alpine metallogenetic epoch is most productive in endogenetic mineralization. The most important economic deposits of Afghanistan were formed during this epoch as a result of the tectono-magmatic activity which affected greatly most of the country's territory in Late Mesozoic and Cenozoic time. Mineralization was insignificant in the Region of Alpine Folding proper. The Alpine epoch consists of two stages, the Cretaceous-Paleogene and the Neogene-Quaternary. The former displays a close relationship with the magmatism of that period, whereas no relationship of this kind has been established for the latter. The endogenetic mineralization of the early (Cretaceous-Paleogene) stage is multiform, although some common features can be observed. The principal metallic constituents are tin, tungsten, beryllium, lithium, caesium, tantalum, niobium and gold. The genetic types and ore formations vary with the formation type of the igneous complexes with which the mentioned constituents are associated. For instance, the Late Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbro-monzonite-syenite formation is known for skarn and hydrothermal 34

occurrences of tin and tungsten. Tin mineralization of the cassiterite-silicate and cassiterite-sulphide formations, as well as copper, lead and zinc mineralization, are associated with the Oligocene formation of subvolcanic granites. The formation of acid and ultra-acid granite batholiths is characterized by a wide development of rare-metal mineralization of the pegmatite, greisen and quartz-vein types. At the early stage of the Alpine metallogenic epoch, intensive copper-gold-lead-zinc mineralization took place in the Argandab, Tirin, Shindand and Kishmaran zones. The late stage of the Alpine epoch is related to the Neogene-Quarternary tectono-magmatic activity. Two groups of the endogenetic mineral occurrences and deposits can be distinguished here. One of them comprises low-temperature telethermal occurrences and deposits of mercury, lead, zinc, gold, barite, fluorite and manganese. They exhibit no association with magmatic formations. Most common associations are lead and zinc with barite-fluorite, manganese with barite-lead-zinc ore, and mercury with barite and copper-leadand-zinc ore. The other group of mineral occurrences formed during the Neogene-Quarternary period of mineralization is related to minor intrusions of Miocene age, and to dykes and volcanic structures of Quarternary age. The mineral deposits and occurrences of Miocene age contain copper, gold, lead, zinc and tungsten. These are of skarn and hydrothermal origin. The Quarternary mineralization is related to the products of carbonatitic alkaline magmatism and is represented by rare-earth carbonatites, uranium, thorium, lead, phosphorus, niobium, iron and aragonite-onyx (30). The spatial distribution of the endogenic mineralization of various metallogenetic epochs is governed by certain regularities, each epoch being characterized by its own features. The deposits of the Pre-Baikalian and Baikalian epochs are localized in fault blocks of ancient consolidation and are controlled by the areals of Pre-Cambrian igneous rocks. The presence of old regional geosutures facilitate the mineralization. For instance, the major Hari Rod and Central Badakhshan Fault Zones control a regional iron mineralization of the Afghanistan-South Pamir Region. The deposits formed during the Hercynian metallogenetic epoch are never found beyond the limits of the Late Paleozoic-Early Mesozoic structures. The distribution the mineral deposits is governed by areals of igneous rocks. The mineralization of the early stage of the Alpine epoch is controlled by the areals of igneous complexes which are normally similarly mineralized in various structural-formation zones. The sialic blocks occurring within the median masses and controlling the acid effusive-intrusive magmatism and the related mineralization are the Cretaceous-Paleogene magma and ore-controlling structures. The basic magmatic rocks and the related endogenetic mineral deposits and occurrences are confined to the boundary faults within the median masses or at the periphery, e.g. the Helmand, Mukur-Tarnak and other faults. The common feature of the endogenetic mineral deposits of Afghanistan attributable to regional tectonomagmatic activity is the ubiquitous mercury, fluorite, gold, copper, lead and zinc mineralization. As a matter of fact, the regularities revealed in the endogenetic mineralization of Afghanistan agree with the general low of endogenetic mineralization established for regions which were subjected to regional tectono-magmatic activity (137). The same regularities have been established in the adjacent regions of the USSR (the Southern Pamir), and other countries. The Alpine endogenetic mineralization developed within the Regions of Alpine Folding is associated with and controlled by the areals of ophiolite magmatism and to a lesser extent, by the magmatic complexes of the orogenic type. It is worth noting a pronounced qualitative similarity between the mineralization of the second stage found within the activized zones of the stable masses and the mineralization of the final development stages of the Regions of Alpine Folding.

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Chapter 3 METALLOGENETIC ZONING OF AFGHANISTAN

The metallogeny found on the territory of Afghanistan was previously discussed in general in the papers describing the Mediterranean Fold Belt as a whole or its separate segments (115, 139, 152 and others). According to G.A. Tvalchrelidze, Afghanistan belongs to the Central province of the Iran-Afghanistan Metallogenetic Belt and consists of individual metallogenetic regions (153). Yu.S. Perfiliev et al. (115) justly reported the existence of transverse metallogenetic zones in the inner part of the belt and distinguished two major metallogenetic regions in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Fold Belt, the Iranian and AfghanHimalayan ones. The latter can be divided into four provinces; (1) the South-Afghan Province of multiconstituent mineralization associated with Late Paleogene granitic rocks ; (2) the North-Afghan Province of gold and copper mineralization, associated with the Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic igneous activity; (3) the Indian-Pamir Rare-Metal Pegmatite Province whose mineralization is associated with the Mesozoic epoch of tectonic and igneous activity; (4) the Himalayan Province of lead-zinc and copper mineralization of the Baikalian epoch with the superimposed diverse hydrothermal mineralization of Paleogene age. The first attempt to distinguish metallogenetic provinces within Afghanistan was made by the authors, particularly by K.F. Stazhilo-Alekseev in 1976 (22). The following metallogenetic belts and provinces have been delineated: (1) the Badakhshan-North Pamir Hercynian Belt carrying gold-copper-lead-and-zinc and rare-metal mineralization, (2) the Konar Hercynian Belt of copper-iron mineralization; (3) the Asparan-East Afghan Alpine Belt of copper, chromite, mercury, lead and zinc mineralization; (4) the Hazarajat-NurestanSouthern Pamir Meso-Cenozoic Belt of rare-metal, copper-gold-lead-and-zinc mineralization; (5) the Shindand-Chagay-Lut Meso-Cenozoic Belt of tin-tungsten, copper-lead-and-zinc and uranium-rare earth mineralization; (6) the Farah Rod-Tarnak Cenozoic mercury province; (7) the North Afghanistan Cenozoic mercury-lead-zinc province; (8) the Hari Rod-Panjsher Belt of iron, mercury, barite-lead-and-zinc mineralization. The ore belts and provinces differ in their geological structure. They include metallogenetic zones and ore districts of different geological history, ore formation and origin of minerals. The division of the metallogenetic zones was based on the structural-facies zones separated by major faults. The local minor structural features were also taken into consideration. The following metallogenetic zones can be distinguished (Annex 1, Table 3). I. The metallogenetic zones with basic mineralization confined to the Baikalian and Pre Baikalian Basement blocks: (1) Kabul (Cu, Cr, Fe, asbestos) ; (2) Spin Ghar (talc, magnesite, rubies). II. The metallogenetic zones with mineralization formed during the geosyncline evolution. In the Region of Hercynian Folding: (1) Surkhab-Jaway (Cu, Au, Pb, Zn); (2) West Badakhshan (Sn, Li, Ta, Nb, Be); (3) Konar (Fe, Cu). In the Regions of Alpine Folding: (1) Khost-Matun (Cr, asbestos); (2) Katawaz (Pb, Zn, Hg); (3) Asparan (Pb, Zn, Hg). III. The metallogenetic zones whose mineralization is associated with the tectonic and igneous activity within the fault blocks consolidated at different time intervals. The mineralization of the Cretaceous Paleogene stage occurs in: (1) Argandab-Tirin (Sn, W, F, Cu, Pb, Zn, Au, Fe); (2) Helmand (Li, Ta, W, Sn, Cu, Pb); (5) Nurestan (Li, Be, Ta, Nb, Ca, Sn, W, muscovite, precious stones); (4) South Badakhshan (laterite, Li, Ta, Sn); (5) Shindand-Kishmaran (Sn, W, Cu, Pb, Zn); (6) Central Badakhshan (Fe, Cu, W, Au) ; (7) Wakhan (Sn, Fe, Cu) zones. The mineralization of the Neogene-Quarternary period of activation occurs in : (1) Bande Amir (Cu, Zn, Hg, Sr); (2) Murghab (Cu, Au, Fe, Mo; (3) Farah Rod (Hg); (4) Tarnak (Hg, Cr); (5) Regestan (U, Th, TR, P, Cu, Sn) zones. IV. The metallogenetic zones of a prolonged evolution comprising several cycles of mineralization, e.g. the Hari Rod - Panjsher Zone (Fe, Pb, Zn, Ba, Au, Hg). Smaller structural-metallogenetic units have been distinguished within the metallogenetic zones referred to as ore districts. The description of the metallogenetic zones and ore districts is given below. The mineral deposits, occurrences and mechanical mineralogical haloes are described in the last chapter.

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Metallogenetic Zones Of Baikalian And Pre-Baikalian Uplifts Of Folded Basement [Footnote: Here and in the third chapter the first numeral on the left denotes a number of Appendix, the second numeral a number of a metallogenic zone, the third numeral - a number of an ore district.]

1. The Kabul Metallogenetic Zone (1-2)

The Kabul Metallogenetic Zone (1-2) is situated in the Kabul Stable Mass. The stable mass is almondshaped, elongated nearly north-southwards. Its central part is composed of Proterozoic and VendianCambrian rocks. The stable mass is surrounded by quasi-cratonic deposits with Alpine geosyncline formations in the south-east. The Kabul Stable Mass is known for its rather complex magmatism. Granite and basic intrusions were emplaced during the Pre-Cambrian tectono-magmatic cycle. Ultrabasic rocks were injected in the Eocene. Granites were emplaced in the south of the Kabul Mass in the Oligocene. The specific feature of the mineralization of the Kabul Metallogenetic Zone is that its copper, iron and graphite deposits and occurrences exhibit relation to ancient sedimentary-metamorphic rocks. Chromite, asbestos and talc occurrences are found in Eocene ultrabasic rocks. Regional albitization which occurred during the Alpine tectonic and igneous activity facilitated the formation of copper and iron deposits. The are districts of the Kabul Zone display complex mineralization of different ages. The Middle Kabul copper-bearing ore district (1-2-16) is situated in the central part of the Kabul Zone covering an area of about 800 sq. km. Economic concentrations of copper are geographically and genetically associated with Vendian-Cambrian metamorphosed carbonate - terrigenous deposits of the Baikalian orogenic complex. According to their primary origin these occurrences are included in the group of sedimentary deposits (cupriferous sandstones), which is a sub-group of metamorphogenous copper deposits. More than 70 copper occurrences and three copper deposits of this type (Aynak, Darband, Taghar) are found in the Middle Kabul copper-bearing ore district. A great number of minor copper occurrences carrying non-commercial pyrite copper mineralization are concentrated in amphibolites and amphibolite bearing schists underlying the productive carbonateterrigenous strata. The mineralization is localized in the zones of metasomatic alteration (predominantly of sodium metasomatosis) at the contacts or across the rock layers and in the zones of cataclasis and brecciation. The total reserves of metamorphogenetic copper ore in the Middle Kabul copper bearing ore district are estimated to be more than 12 million tonnes. Copper ore bodies were formed owing to denudation of gabbro and volcanic rocks of basic composition over the period of the Vendian-Cambrian carbonate-terrigenous strata formation. Economic concentrations of copper minerals are found within carbonate-terrigenous strata in the vicinity of outcrops of basic intrusive and volcanic rocks, carrying dispersed, or occasionally concentrated pocket-disseminated copper minerals. Jaspillite occurrences known from the Kabul Ore District are confined to the base of the Vendian-Cambrian carbonate-terrigenous sequence and to the metavolcanic part of the Proterozoic. Abundant pebbles and boulders of hematite-magnetite ore in the Vendian-Cambrian basal conglomerates suggest the presence of older economic iron concentrations in the area. The supposition is supported by local deep-seated magnetic anomalies less than 5 sq. km in area and up to 60 thousand gammas in intensity recorded in the localities underlain by Proterozoic geosyncline rocks overlain by Neogene deposits (Dashtak, etc.). The Logar chromite ore district (1-2-17) is situated within the massif of ultrabasic rocks bearing the same name. The principal economic minerals of the Logar ore district are chromite, asbestos and talc. They exhibit a direct genetic relation with the ultrabasic rocks of dunite-harzburgite association. The ultrabasic rocks are found in different structural units and different structural-formational rock sequences ranging in age from Proterozoic through Eocene. The known deposits and most of the essential occurrences of chromite and asbestos occur along the periphery of two extensive massifs of ultrabasic rocks, up to 4000 sq. km in area, found at the dome-shaped highs of the Crystalline Basement of the Kabul Zone, the asbestos bearing zones and the chromite-bearing areas being occasionally spaced far apart. Smaller bodies of ultrabasic rocks tracing the Mukur-Chaman and Altamur faults enclose only small extended and crushed lenses of chromite ore. The ultrabasic rocks have undergone intensive serpentinization resulting in the formation of antigorite serpentinites.

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The position of the Logar Massif at the dome-shaped high of the old Crystalline Basement of the Kabul Zone, separating the geosyncline area from the rigid South Afghanistan structure, and its intensive erosion, the abundance of dunites rich in chromite ore pockets and lenses, and the poor manifestation of serpentinization suggest that the massif may have some other deposits of high-grade chromite ore. The wide occurrence of dunite and pyroxenite in massifs of ultrabasic rocks makes the prospects of finding large chrysotile-asbestos deposits doubtful.

2. The Spin Ghar Metallogenetic Zone (1-3)

The Spin Ghar Metallogenetic Zone (1-3) corresponds to a large uplift of the Proterozoic Crystalline Basement, elongated east-westwards, parallel to the strife of the folds in the metamorphosed carbonateterrigenous strata. The Proterozoic magmatic rocks are granites and highly altered basic rocks. The restrained Early Cretaceous igneous activity has resulted in small gabbro-monzonite-diorite massifs. The mineralization of the Spin Ghar Metallogenetic Zone is represented by the Pre-Cambrian economic deposits and numerous occurrences of talc and magnesite found in dolomitic marbles of Proterozoic age.

Metallogenetic Zones With Mineralization Related To Geosyncline Evolution The metallogenetic zones of this type are situated in the Regions of Hercynian and Alpine Folding. The Surkhob-Jaway Metallogenetic Zone. The Surkhob-Jaway Metallogenetic Zone, (1-4) extends for 500 kilometres in the north-eastern direction along the eastern and south-eastern margins of the Northern Afghanistan Platform; its width is 50 kilometres. The zone is underlain by the Pre-Cambrian structural formation complex of metamorphic rocks, the Ordovician-Devonian quasi-cratonic complex of carbonate-terrigenous rocks (2 to 5 km thick), the Carboniferous-Permian geosyncline formation of carbonate-terrigenous-volcanic rocks (8,000 m thick) and the Triassic orogenic series of terrigenous-volcanic rocks (3,000 m thick). Massifs of gabbro-plagiogranite and ultrabasic rocks are associated with Early Carboniferous volcanics, and co-magmatic masses of subvolcanic granitic rocks, with Triassic orogenic volcanics. The endogenetic mineralization of the zone is represented by hydrothermal, skarn-type and pyritic occurrences of copper, lead, zinc and talc found in the Early Carboniferous and Late Triassic igneous rocks. Besides, there are small occurrences of iron-bearing skarn rocks associated with Late Triassic granites, rare metals in apogranites and vein fluorite-lead and zinc mineralization in Upper Triassic volcanics. Three ore districts can be distinguished within the Surkhob -Jaway Zone. The Nesay copper-bearing ore district The Nesay copper-bearing ore district (1-4-1) is situated in the northern part of the zone. It comprises numerous copper occurrences of a quartz-sulphide formation. The Chi1konshar gold bearing ore district (1-4-2) is situated at the right-hand bank of the Kokcha River and occupies an area extending over more than 1,000 sq. km. Only gold occurrences of quartz-gold-sulphide formation have been found here so far. Numerous placer gold occurrences, including the large Samti placer of gold, are known within the Chilkonshar ore district. The Doshi copper-lead and zinc ore district The Doshi copper-lead and zinc ore district (1-4-3) carrying complex mineralization of different ages is situated in the Surkhab and Andarab River basins. The district encloses numerous occurrences of copper-lead and zinc ore of a quartz-sulphide formation in Lower Carboniferous basic volcanics, copper occurrences of metasomatic pyrite formation in Late Triassic subvolcanic liparite-dacite, and skarn-type copper-lead and zinc occurrences in Permian limestones at the exocontacts of Late Triassic granite massifs. The skarn-type ore occurrences of the Doshi district normally contain scheelite and cassiterite.

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The West Badakhshan Metallogenetic Zone The West Badakhshan Metallogenetic Zone (1-5) is situated in an uplift of the Proterozoic Crystalline Basement within the Region of Hercynian Folding. Only small downthrown areas still preserve Lower Middle Paleozoic Platform Sedimentary Cover deposits and Carboniferous Permian geosyncline volcanogeniccarbonate rocks. The zone extends for 500 kilometres, its width varying from 20 to 60 kilometres. The zone is broken into a number of fault blocks by a system of sub-parallel east-west-trending faults. The igneous rocks are Late Triassic granite batholiths, small ultrabasic rock massifs emplaced in deep fault zones and small Proterozoic granite bodies. The endogenetic mineralization is represented by lithium, beryllium, tin, tungsten, tantalum and niobium occurring in pegmatites and skarn associated with Late Triassic granitic rocks. Hydrothermal copper occurrences are found in Carboniferous volcanics. Hydrothermal gold occurrences and muscovite pegmatites and spatially associated with Proterozoic granites. The Bazarak muscovite-bearing ore district (1-5-4) is distinguished within the West Badakhshan zone. Its area of 600 sq. km is underlain predominantly by Proterozoic metamorphic rocks enclosing muscovite pegmatite bodies. The Konar Metallogenetic Zone The Konar Metallogenetic Zone (1-6) situated in the eastern part of Afghanistan has been studied less than other zones. It is composed of Paleozoic geosyncline volcanogenic-carbonate-terrigenous rocks. In the south of the zone, rocks of the geosyncline complex are overlain by the Upper Permian-Jurassic carbonate strata of the Platform Cover. The intrusive units are represented by Carboniferous massifs of ultrabasic and gabbro-plagiogranite rocks and Early Triassic granites. Only skarn-type iron and copper occurrences have been found so far. A high-grade iron ore deposit of Dammer Nissar is known from the adjacent Chitral Area (115). It is a skarntype deposit comprising sheet-like and lenticular hematite-magnetite bodies found in Paleozoic carbonate rocks at the contacts between Mesozoic granite and granodiorite dykes and sills. Concordant bodies of epidote and garnet-epidote skarn contain magnetite and hematite lenses with copper minerals assaying 0.01 to 0.42% copper. The Khost-Matun Metallogenetic Zone The Khost-Matun Metallogenetic Zone (1-9) Is situated in the eastern part of the country within the similarly named uplift composed of Permian-Jurassic carbonate-terrigenous rocks. The Paleogene geosynclinal flysch formation rest with a prominent angular unconformity on different carbonate-terrigenous beds. The igneous rocks of the Khost-Matun zone are Eocene ultrabasics emplaced at the geosynclinal stage of evolution of the Region of Alpine Folding. The principal endogenetic mineralization is represented by chromite and chrysotile-asbestos deposits associated with ultrabasic rock massifs. Hydrothermal copper, lead and zinc mineralization is insignificant. Rock crystal bearing zones containing also smoky quartz-morion and amethyst are of great interest. The Katawas Metallogenetic Zone The Katawas Metallogenetic Zone (1-7) coincides spatially with the Katawaz Trough filled with Paleogene geosynclinal flysch. The magmatism of the zone has produced Paleocene basic volcanics and Eocene ultrabasic rocks. Minor Miocene plagioporphyry intrusions are found in the south-west of the zone. The endogenetic mineralization associated with the initial magmatism is represented by chromite occurrences. The mineralization of the orogenic (Miocene) stage of the zone's evolution is more abundant. It consists of telethermal lead, zinc, mercury and gold occurrences. A qualitative similarity between the mercury-gold-lead and zinc mineralization of the orogenic stage of the Alpine geosyncline evolution and the telethermal mineralization of the second stage which occurred in the Miocene in areas of regional tectonic and igneous activity merit consideration. The Asparan Metallogenetic Zone The Asparan Metallogenetic Zone (1-8) is situated within the Asparan Trough which is margin of the East Iranian Trough (114). Within the territory of Afghanistan, the Asparan Trough is filled with carbonateterrigenous rocks of Campanian age overlain unconformably by intermediate-basic volcanic and Maastrichtian carbonate-terrigenous rocks. Quarternary alkali basalt sheets are rather widespread. Two gabbro-diabase massifs and diabase porphyrite dykes of Miocene age are known in the area. The endogenetic mineralization is poorly manifested. Insignificant lead and zinc occurrences are found in shear zones in 39

Upper Cretaceous carbonate rocks, and several mechanical mineralogical haloes of cassiterite and cinnabar are known from the area.

Metallogenetic Zones Resulting From Tectono-Magmatic Activity Within Fault Blocks Of Different Ages A special role in the geological history and endogenetic mineralization of Afghanistan is played by the Late Mesozoic to Cenozoic tectonic and igneous activity which was particularly intensive within the median masses during the evolution of the Alpine geosynclines. A system of the South Afghanistan and the Nurestan Pamir median masses, including the South-West Pamir, form an extensive volcanic-intrusive belt confined to arch block highs. Within the South Afghanistan Median Mass, the belt forms an arc convex southward which is confined to the Anardara High (in the west), the Chagay High (in the south) and the Helmand-Argandab Uplift (in the east). Further on, crossing the Kabul Stable Mass, the belt extends north-eastwards along the Nurestan Pamir Median Mass. The formation of the belt was preceded by a period of a relatively calm quasicratonic evolution of the structures. The time of the belt formation (Early Cretaceous-Oligocene) coincides with a period of tectonic and igneous activity and with an inverse stage of evolution of the adjacent Alpine geosynclines. The evolution history of the belt falls into two stages: (1) the stage of ascending movements and rejuvenation of large longitudinal basement faults responsible for the origin of the Helmand, Argandab, Alingar and other granitic plutons; (2) the stage of differential block movements responsible for the emplacement of small basic, acid and sub alkali intrusions along the faults of different trends. Thus, the mineralization of the median masses which occurred during the Late Mesozoic to Cenozoic tectonic and igneous activity is represented by a great diversity of endogenetic mineral deposits. The deposits and occurrences of gold, tungsten, tin, rare metals, lead, zinc, copper, iron, and fluorspar are most important. At the initial stage of arch block uplifting the differential movements produced new structural features, such as new faults differing in strike from the faults previously existing in the basement structures, systems of feather faults, and linear fault-line troughs. These movements were accompanied by submarine volcanic eruptions and outbursts of basalt-andesite ejectamenta. The clay-carbonate marine deposits interbedding with volcanics near the major faults grade laterally into terrigenous-carbonate rocks of the quasi-cratonic type cut by numerous intrusions of different composition. In the exocontact zones the volcanics bear evidence of biotitization and propylitization; the limestones are skarnified, and the crystalline rocks of the basement are albitized. The belt consisting of volcanic and igneous rocks is notable for various endogenetic mineral deposits. The most representative ore formations are skarn-magnetite, skarn, copper-gold, tin- and tungsten bearing skarn, cassiterite- and scheelite-quartz, rare-metal and muscovite pegmatites. Apart from the major faults, controlling the distribution and types of igneous rocks responsible for the mineralization, an important role was played by the chemical composition of the country rocks. The regions of Neogene-Quaternary tectonic and igneous activity in Afghanistan are situated in the inner parts of the median masses, within the Platform and in the Regions of Hercynian Folding. They are marked by a relative independence of tectonic movements. Taking into consideration the regularities in the time and spatial distribution of endogenetic mineralization related to different periods of tectonic and igneous activity, two groups of metallogenetic zones can be distinguished: (1) the zones of Cretaceous-Paleogene activity, and (2) the zones of Neogene-Quaternary activity.

Metallogenetic Zones Resulting From Cretaceous-Paleogene Tectono-Magmatic Activity The zones concerned form two spatially isolated groups localized in median masses. One of the groups is confined to arch block highs of the median masses characterised by granitic magmatism of the batholith formation. The other is situated within superimposed troughs having a relatively subsided basement. Volcano-plutonic assemblies of intermediate and acid composition are widespread there. The metallogenetic zones of the eastern branch of the belt consisting of volcanics and igneous rocks disintegrated by cross faults into blocks are aligned as a strip 150-170 kilometres in width and over 1,000 kilometres in 40

extension to form the Hazarajat - Nurestan - South Pamir Metallogenetic Belt. The belt extends to the north-east from the Seystan Desert in the south via the Helmand-Argandab Uplift, Nurestan and Badakhshan to the SouthWest Pamir. The common geological features of the blocks are the basement composed of Proterozoic metamorphic complexes, a long period of quasi-cratonic evolution, and widespread synchronous manifestation of intensive granite batholith magmatism of Oligocene age. Yet, the blocks differ in the local structural and geological features, the assemblages of ancient igneous formations and the related ore complexes.

Metallogenetic Zones Within Uplifts Within the uplifts, the Argandab-Tirin, Helmand, Nurestan and South-Badakhshan metallogenetic zones can be distinguished. The Argandab-Tirin Metallogenetic Zone The Argandab-Tirin Metallogenetic Zone (1-13) occupies the south-eastern part of the Helmand-Argandab Uplift including structural-facies zones of Tirin, Logar, Kandahar and Argandab. The zone comprises the uplifted ancient crystalline Basement and Paleozoic-Lower Cretaceous quasi-cratonic sediments. The longitudinal faults of a north-eastern trend play a great role in the structural pattern of the zone. The faults of nearly north-south and east west trends which act as ore controlling structures are also important. The Proterozoic magmatic complexes are represented by small massifs of metamorphosed basic rocks and metasomatic potash granites. The late Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectonic and igneous activity produced assemblages of Early Cretaceous, Late Cretaceous-Paleocene, Eocene-Oligocene, Oligocene, Miocene and Quaternary igneous rocks. The Early Cretaceous gabbro-plagiogranite complex is confined to the faults of north-east trend. The Late Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbro-monzonite-syenite formation is found in fault zones of north-southern trend. The Eocene-Oligocene volcanic-plutonic assemblage occurs in the southern part of the zone. The greatest role in the distribution of the endogenetic mineralization is played by the large multiphase Argandab granite batholith, 450 kilometres in strike length and varying from 20 to 40 kilometres in width. The Dashte Nawer volcano-tectonic structure, situated in a large transverse uplift, is made up of acid and intermediate volcanics of Early Quaternary age. The pattern of the endogenetic mineralization of the Argandab-Tirin Zone is the result of the complex multiphase magmatism, intensive faulting and block movements, diverse lithology of the rocks, different levels of erosion varying from one fault block to another, and marginal position of the Argandab Fault Block in the South Afghanistan Median Mass. The mineralization of the zone formed at several stages is related in time with the main periods of the Meso-Cenozoic tectonic and igneous activity. As a result, the mineralization was introduced repeatedly into the same ore-controlling structures. The mineralization of different stages of tectonic and igneous activity is represented by skarn, greisen, skarn, hydrothermal and hydrothermal occurrence of tin, tungsten, bismuth, iron, copper, lead, zinc, gold and boron found throughout the zone. Tin, tungsten, and bismuth-bearing greisens, cassiterite-quartz and wolframitequartz veins are typical of the Oligocene period of activity only. Several ore districts are distinguished in the Argandab-Tirin Metallogenetic Zone. The Wardak ore district The Wardak ore district (1-13-20) carrying mineralization of different ages is situated in the northern part of the zone. The endogenetic mineralization of the district is represented by muscovite pegmatites and graphite of Proterozoic age as well as by the occurrences of tungsten, molybdenum, beryllium of skarn-scheelite and quartz-scheelite formations found in Oligocene granite massifs. The Oruzgan ore district The Oruzgan ore district (1-13-21) is situated in the upper reaches of the Argandab River. The principal metals are tungsten and tin found in skarn-scheelite, quartz-wolframite and quartz-scheelite formations. The subordinate metals are copper, lead and zinc occurring in a quartz-sulphide, skarn pyrite-chalcopyrite and magnetite-chalcopyrite formations. The mineralized skarn were formed at the contacts between Oligocene granites and Devonian limestones. 41

The Mukur ore district The Mukur ore district (1-12-22) is known for the prevailing gold and tin mineralization. The subordinate metals are copper, lead, zinc and iron. Gold is found in skarn copper-gold and hydrothermal quartz-goldsulphide formations. The gold bearing skarn formations occur at the contacts between Late Cretaceous Paleocene gabbro-diorite massifs and Triassic and Jurassic dolomites and limestones. The tin bearing skarns were formed at the contacts between Late Cretaceous Paleocene granosyenite massifs and Upper Triassic limestones. Most of the tin occurrences are of the ferruginous-carbonate low-sulphide type. The Kundalan ore district The Kundalan ore district (1-13-23), carrying predominantly copper and gold mineralization, is confined to a fault zone of nearly north-southern trend. The area is broken into many fault blocks forming a mosaic pattern. Copper occurs in skarn-type magnetite-chalcopyrite, pyrite-chalcopyrite, copper-gold and copper-porphyry formations. Most of the skarn-type copper occurrences were formed at the contacts between Oligocene granites and carbonate rocks of different ages. Gold is found in garnet, garnet-vesuvianite, garnet-pyroxene and ludwigite-magnetite skarn formations. Gold of hydrothermal origin occurs in shear zones and quartz veins emplaced in Paleozoic and Upper Triassic limestones and dolomites. Tungsten is found in garnet and pyroxene-garnet skarns formed at the contacts between Oligocene granites and Middle and Upper Jurassic limestones. The Bakhud ore district The Bakhud ore district (1-13-24) is situated in the south-western part of the Argandab-Tirin Zone. Of commercial value is fluorite mineralization. The subordinate metals are silver, lead and zinc. Fluorite is found in an area of 600 sq. km at the contact between the Upper Triassic limestone and Rhaetian to Liassic marl. The intraformational contact zone is the main fluorite ore-control structure. The Chenar ore district The Chenar ore district (1-13-25) is situated in the south of the zone, in the Helmand and Argandab interfluve. The principal mineralization is represented by tin, lead, zinc and iron occurrences. Copper and tungsten occurrences are subordinate. Tin occurs in magnesian ludwigite and stannoborate skarns (Gbargay, Chenar, Shin Ghar) and in calcareous skarns (Chenar). Cassiterite is found in ferruginous-carbonate formations (Chenar). Tin-bearing skarns occur at the contacts between Upper Triassic dolomites and limestones and Oligocene granites. Lead and zinc deposits and occurrences are found in skarn-type copper-lead-zinc and leadzinc formations. Metalliferous pyroxene-garnet skarns were formed at the contacts between Silurian and Upper Triassic limestones and Oligocene granites (Darrah Nur, Qalay - Asad, Bibi Gaukhar). Economic concentrations of silver, cadmium and, occasionally, copper are found in the skarn-type lead and zinc ores. The Helmand Metallogenic Zone The Helmand Metallogenic Zone (1-14) coincides spatially with the Helmand structural-facies zone which encloses structure-formation complexes similar to those of the Argandab-Tirin Zone. The faulting of this zone is more pronounced as compared to the Argandab-Tirin Zone. The faults of the north-eastern and north-southern trends intersect and break the zone into a system of polygonal fault blocks. Magmatism of the Helmand Zone manifested in intrusions which consist pre-dominantly of granites, the basic rocks being subordinate. The endogenetic mineralization is represented by lithium, tantalum, niobium and tin occurrences found in pegmatites, and by tungsten, tin, copper, lead and zinc occurrences of skarn, greisen and high-temperature hydrothermal origin. Two ore districts are distinguished in the zone. These are the Behsud and Shekhristan. The Behsud ore district The Behsud ore district (1-14-18) is situated in the upper reaches of the Helmand River, in an area of Proterozoic schists intruded by Late Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbro, monzonite and syenite bodies and Oligocene granite massifs. The area encloses rare-metal pegmatites (lithium, tantalum, niobium and tin occurrences) and tungsten-bearing skarn scheelite occurrences; both types are associated with Oligocene granites.

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The Sehkhristan ore district The Sehkhristan ore district (1-14-19) is situated in the middle of the Helmand River basin. The area is composed of Pre-Cambrian metamorphic rocks and Oligocene granite massifs. It is broken into fault blocks by numerous faults. The economic deposits and occurrences are those of rare-metal pegmatites, tin and tungsten of the skarn, greisen and high-temperature hydrothermal types. Insignificant occurrences of copper, lead and zinc of a quartz-sulphide formation are also found in the zone. The Nurestan Metallogenetic Zone The Nurestan Metallogenetic Zone (1-12) is delineated in the Nurestan Fault Block of the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass composed of intensely dislocated crystalline schists and gneisses metamorphosed in amphibolite facies. The Sedimentary Cover comprises Carboniferous-Triassic terrigenous-carbonate rocks. Proterozoic palingenetic metasomatic granites occur within the uplifts of crystalline rocks in the western part of the zone. Early Cretaceous intrusions (the Nilaw Complex) of a gabbro-monzonite-diorite formation are found in the central part of the Nurestan Zone. Emplacement of granite massifs was particularly intensive in Oligocene time. Large granite massifs (the Laghman Complex) are elongated in the north-eastern direction parallel to the trend of the principal structures of the zone. The granite massifs of the Laghman Complex are intraformational; they occur between the sedimentary units of the lower and upper structural stages. The granite massifs rest on Pre-Cambrian gneiss and are overlain by quartz micaceous and garnet-staurolite schists of Carboniferous-Triassic Age. The Laghman granite massifs can be classified into three main phases: (1) granodiorite, plagiogranite; (2) porphyry-like coarse biotitic granite; (3) biotitic and binary granites associated spatially and genetically with rare-metal pegmatites. The endogenetic mineralization of the Nurestan Zone was formed during the Proterozoic and Meso-Cenozoic metallogenetic epochs. Muscovite- and beryllium-bearing pegmatites were formed in Proterozoic time. Rare-metal pegmatite fields and tungsten-bearing skarn formations were formed in Meso-Cenozoic epoch. The rare-metal pegmatites occur in the formations overlying the Laghman Granite. The enclosing rocks are phyllite-like quartz-micaceous schists containing andalusite, cordierite, garnet and staurolite. Smaller amounts of pegmatites are found in gabbro-diorite and diorite which are older than intrusions of the Laghman Complex. They occur occasionally in garnet-sillimanite-biotite gneiss and marmorized limestone. In areas consisting of garnet-sillimanite biotite gneiss and phyllite-like quartz micaceous schist, the largest and most intensively mineralized pegmatites are found in the phyllite-like schists. The Nurestan pegmatite belt extends for 350 kilometres within the Nurestan Metallogenetic Zone (122, 123). It borders the Alingar Granite Pluton on the south-east. The pegmatite belt includes 21 pegmatite fields which carry the highest in the world lithium concentrations. They also contain tantalum, cesium, beryllium, niobium, tin, piezooptic quartz, tourmaline and precious stones. Small greisen occurrences of tin and commercial accumulations of emerald are found in the Nurestan Zone. The zone includes the Eshkashem, Kamdesh, Marid and Laghman ore districts with rare metal mineralization, Dewas and Sarobay muscovite ore districts, and the Rabat ore district with emerald mineralization. The Eshkashem ore district The Eshkashem ore district (1-12-8) is situated on the left-hand bank of the Panj River. The area is underlain by Upper Paleozoic and Triassic shales intruded by the Laghman Complex granites. Four pegmatite fields, the Road-Side, Futur, Nawshah and Dehgal, have been delineated there. Rare metal pegmatite veins occur at the top of the third-phase granite massifs. Four types of pegmatite veins have been distinguished in the district: (1) plagioclase-microcline biotite-muscovite pegmatites with schorl (barren); (2) albite pegmatites carrying disseminated beryl; (3) spodumene-albite and spodumene-microcline-cleavelandite pegmatites; (4) cymatolite-albite pegmatites. The last three types contain economic concentrations of lithium, tantalum and, occasionally, tin and beryllium. The Kamdesh ore district The Kamdesh ore district (1-12-9) occupies the eastern part of the Nurestan Province. It comprises the Darrah Nur, Chawki, Darrahe Pech, Paron and Kantiwa rare-metal pegmatite fields.

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The Darrah Nur pegmatite field The Darrah Nur pegmatite field is situated in the low reaches of the Konar River in Carboniferous-Lower Permian and Upper Triassic shales near the south-eastern contact of the Alingar Granite Pluton. The field contains three types of pegmatites: (1) oligoclase-microcline schorl-biotite-muscovite (barren) pegmatite; (2) albitized microcline pegmatite with coarse-crystalline beryl; (3) spodumene-microcline-albite pegmatite. The veins of the second type form the Darrah Nur deposit of coarse-crystalline high-grade beryl. The Chawki pegmatite field The Chawki pegmatite field is situated on the right bank of the Konar River. Pegmatite veins occur in an area underlain by Proterozoic schists and Upper Paleozoic shales which are intruded by granites of Oligocene age. The albitized microcline pegmatite veins contain beryl, lithium phosphate, columbite-tantalite and cassiterite. The Darrahe Pech pegmatite field The Darrahe Pech pegmatite field is found at the eastern exocontact of the Alingar Granite Pluton. The pegmatites of this field are similar to those from Darrah Nur. In addition to the above, albite pegmatites with beryl and columbite-tantalite disseminations have been found. The field includes the Darrahe Pech deposit carrying economic concentrations of lithium, beryllium, tantalum, tourmaline and kunzite. The Paron pegmatite field The Paron pegmatite field is situated in the north-east of the Nurestan Province in Proterozoic metamorphic schists near the eastern exocontact of the Alingar Pluton. The pegmatite types are: (1) oligoclase-microcline biotite-muscovite (barren); (2) schorl-muscovite-microcline with beryl; (3) albitized microclinic and albitic with lithium phosphate; (4) spodumene-microcline-albite and spodumene-albite; (5) spodumene-microclinecleavelandite with pollucite and tantalite. The Triassic shales enclose veins of the former three types only. In the Paron pegmatite field, which has not been studied sufficiently, five large lithium deposits (Jamapak, Pasgushta, Drumgal, Canga and Pasgushta-Lower) were discovered. The veins and vein zones of spodumene-albite pegmatites are very extensive, 1 to 1.5 kilometres in length and 20 to 40 metres in width. The Pasgushta, Jamanak and Drumgal deposits are known for high concentrations of lithium and are promising for tantalum. The Kantiwa pegmatite field The Kantiwa pegmatite field is confined to a large roof outlier of the Alingar Granite. Four types of pegmatites similar to those from the Darrahe Pech have been established there. Some of the large spodumene-albite pegmatite veins are rich in tantalite, kunzite, piezooptic quartz and tourmaline. The Marid rare-metal ore district The Marid rare-metal ore district (1-12-12) is situated on the right-hand bank of the Konar River. The area is underlain by Proterozoic gneiss and crystalline schist intruded by Early Cretaceous diorites. Rare metals occur in pegmatites. Albitized microcline pegmatite veins carrying altered lithium and beryllium phosphates are most widespread. Spodumene-microcline-albite pegmatites are found at the Sewgal Ghar and Nishagom River basins. The area has been studied insufficiently its prospects are uncertain. The Laghman ore district The Laghman ore district (1-12-14) is situated in the south-western part of Nurestan. It includes the Shamakat, Alingar, Kurghal and Nilaw Kulam rare-metal pegmatite fields. A large lithium deposit of Shamakat (120) was discovered in the Shamakat pegmatite field. The area of the deposit is underlain by Proterozoic metamorphic schists intruded by granites of Proterozoic and Oligocene ages. Economic concentrations of lithium are found in two types of pegmatite; (1) spodumene-albite and (2) petalite-spodumene-albite. In addition to albite and spodumene-albite pegmatites, the Alingar field contains lepidolite-amblygonitealbite pegmatites carrying economic concentrations of pollucite.

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The Nilaw-Kulam rare-metal pegmatite field includes two deposits, Nilaw and Kulam. The Nilaw deposit consists of (1) albitized microcline pegmatite with hand-sorted coarse-crystalline beryl ; (2) albite pegmatite carrying tantalum mineralization, (3) lepidolite-spodumene-albite pegmatite with tantalum mineralization, piezooptic tourmaline, and kunzite mineralization, The Kulam deposit consists of a gigantic vein of albitized microcline pegmatite bearing kunzite, rock crystal, vorobyevite, aquamarine, tourmaline, coarse-crystalline beryl, tantalite and pollucite. The Dewaz ore district The Dewaz ore district (1-12-11) is underlain by Proterozoic metamorphic rocks. Economic concentrations of muscovite are found in mica-plagioclase pegmatite of undifferentiated structure. According to O.N. Filippov (53), this area is one of the most promising for mica (muscovite). The Sarobay ore district The Sarobay ore district (1-12-15) includes the Sarobay mica deposit in muscovite pegmatites, the Pachagan deposit of rare-metal muscovite pegmatites, the Shahidan deposit of lithium- and beryllium-bearing pegmatites, and the Surkh Rod-Tatang deposit of pollucite, lithium and tantalum-bearing pegmatites. The Pachagan ore district The Pachagan ore district. (1-12-13) contains commercial deposits of muscovite and rare-metal muscovite pegmatites. Muscovite pegmatites occur in veins of workable parameters. The muscovite is of high quality, its content reaching 20-30 kg/cu m. Rare-metal muscovite pegmatite veins are emplaced in Proterozoic metamorphic rocks and Early Cretaceous gabbro. The pegmatite carries muscovite and beryllium mineralization (Pachagan). The Rabat ore district The Rabat ore district (1-12-10) is situated on the left-hand bank of the Panjsher River. Beryl mineralization, including emerald, is found in a strip extending for about 15 kilometres. It consists of albitized, tourmalinized, pyritized and silicified rocks in a fault zone separating Silurian-Lower Carboniferous carbonate rocks from Carboniferous-Lower Permian siliceous-shaly strata. The strip encloses a great number of gabbro-diorite and quartz porphyry veins and dykes. The ore bodies, consisting of small emerald-bearing quartz-ankerite and dolomite veins and stringers, are found in metasomatically altered gabbro-diorite, dolomitic marl, quartz-biotite schist and quartz porphyry. High-grade emeralds are most abundant in the altered gabbro-diorite dykes. Wide albitized zones and small massifs of albitized granites carrying beryl mineralization are of particular interest to prospectors. The South Badakhshan Metallogenetic Zone The South Badakhshan Metallogenetic Zone (1-1) is a wedge-like outcrop of the basement of a median mass composed of Archean rocks of metamorphic granulite and amphibolite facies. The metamorphic rock sequence is broken by a number of faults of north-south and south-east trend into some rectangular fault blocks. Intrusive formations are represented by small Proterozoic intrusions and large massifs of Oligocene granites. The endogenetic mineralization is represented by contact-metasomatic deposits and occurrences of lazurite, phlogopite and rare-metal pegmatites (tantalum, tin, lithium). The rare metal pegmatites occur in the exocontact zone of the Bagharak Complex (the Kokcha and Shewa pegmatite fields forming part of the Badakhshan pegmatite belt (122) which accompanies the Bagharak intraformational granite intrusion at the north-western margin of the Archean basement uplift). The raremetal pegmatites are similar to those of the Nurestan Belt. The East Badakhshan Zone includes the Sare Sang ore district. The Sare Sang ore district (1-12-7) is situated in the upper reaches of the Kokcha River, in an area underlain by Archean high-magnesium carbonate rocks. Economic lazurite concentrations are found in the zones of metasomatically altered calciphyres. Small occurrences of lead, molybdenum, beryllium and graphite are encountered in the area.

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The Shindand Kishmaran Metallogenetic Zone The Shindand Kishmaran Metallogenetic Zone (1-15) occupies the western termination of the Late JurassicEarly Cretaceous Farah Rod Trough and the N-E termination of the Western Afghanistan Alpides. A volcano-plutonic association with a characteristic tin-tungsten and mercury base metal mineralization was formed there in Eocene-Oligocene time. Geographically the zone coincides with the structural-facies zones of Anardara, Zuri and Kishmaran. The Kishmaran Uplift consists of Jurassic volcanic-carbonate-terrigenous formations, over 3,500 m thick, overlain with a sharp unconformity by Upper Cretaceous rocks of the West Afghanistan type followed by Maestrichtian to Paleogene volcanics. The Zuri and Anardara zones are underlain by the Farah Rod type volcanogenous-terrigenic and carbonate rocks of Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous age, several kilometres thick. These are overlain over vast areas by Eocene to Oligocene terrigenous-volcanogenic complex of orogenic type. The zone is characterized by gentle folds complicated by N-E, nearly N-S and N-W-trending faults. The igneous activity of the zone was associated wholly with the Late Mesozoic-Cenozoic tectono-magmatic activation. Associated with the Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous structure-formation complexes are acid to basic volcanics confined to deep-seated faults. The Eocene to Oligocene volcano-plutonic association of the orogenic type comprises basalt-andesite-liparite group of formations and subvolcanic granite formation. The Miocene period of activation resulted in a series of dikes of various composition found in extensive belts of north-southern trend. The endogenetic mineralization of the Shindand--Kishmaran Metallogenetic Zone was formed chiefly owing to magmatism of the Cretaceous to Paleogene activation. The principal role is played by tin-tungsten-copper-lead-and-zinc mineralization. Cassiterite-sulphide, cassiterite-silicate, and skarn formations have been recognized in tin occurrences. Copper-lead-and zinc pyritic, as well as skarn and hydrothermal type copper-tungsten and tungsten occurrences have been found in the zone too. Superimposed mercury mineralization of Neogene age associated with Miocene dikes in fault zones is also encountered. Ore districts of the Shindand-Kishmaran Zone are notable for a composite mineralization of different ages. The Nazarkhan ore district The Nazarkhan ore district (1-15-26) with copper-lead-and-zinc mineralization is situated in the west of the country south of the Hari Rod River. The area is underlain by predominantly Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous terrigenous and terrigenous-volcanic rocks and Upper Cretaceous limestones partially overlain by Neogene variegated rocks. Small outcrops of Eocene-Oligocene volcanics are encountered in the area. The intrusive rocks are Early Cretaceous granodiorite and Oligocene granite. Small massifs of Eocene-Oligocene subvolcanic rhyolite-porphyry and granite-porphyry are widespread. Early Quaternary volcanics are also common. In the east of the area, the north-east-trending faults branch off the Major Hari Rod and Qarghanaw faults, while in the west the faults of north-west trend belong to the north-south-trending fault system that separates the South Afghanistan Median Mass from the Alpine East Iran Trough. The principal mineralization is represented by copper, lead and zinc occurrences with subordinate tin, mercury and gold. Copper occurs in association with lead and zinc in subvolcanic metasomatic and hydrothermal quartzsulphide deposits (Shayda, Dusar, Namaksar etc.). Lead and zinc occur in acid volcanics of Late JurassicEarly Cretaceous age in a direct vicinity of small Oligocene granite porphyry bodies. Mechanical mineralogical haloes of cassiterite, cinnabar and gold are outlined in fault zones running in Paleocene volcanic-terrigenous strata near Oligocene granite intrusions. The Shindand tin-bearing ore district The Shindand tin-bearing ore district (1-15-27) is underlain by Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate and Eocene-Oligocene volcanic-terrigenous rocks intruded by numerous subvolcanic massifs of Oligocene higha1kali granites. Quite common in the area are Eocene-Oligocene subvolcanic bodies of the Mir Ali Complex and Miocene dykes of basic rocks. The area exhibits a mosaic structural pattern due to the presence of abundant north-east and north-west-trending faults. The principal mineralization is represented by tin and copper occurrences with the subordinate iron, lead, zinc, gold, tungsten and molybdenum. Tin occurs in a cassiteritesilicate ore formation genetically associated with the Bulghaja Granite. It is localized both in source massifs and in metasomatically altered commonly tourmalinized rocks in contact zones. Tin is associated with copper, bismuth, tungsten, lead, zinc and arsenic. The deposits and occurrences of a sulphide-cassiterite ore formation are distributed in Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous formations or in Eocene-Oligocene volcanics in zones of crushing and hydrothermal transformation consisting in silicification, chloritization and sulphidization. It is noteworthy that they are normally found at some distance from active intrusions of the Bulghaja Granite 46

Complex. Tin-bearing skarn formations occur also in Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous rocks. Skarn bodies consisting mainly of garnet-diopside with magnetite, chalcopyrite, ludwigite, axinite and other minerals occur in shear zones at a distance of up to 1.5 kilometres from granite massifs. The largest of them are confined to the intersections of high-angle faults. High concentrations of bismuth, copper, lead and zinc are found together with tin. Most of the copper occurrences are spatially associated with Eocene-Oligocene volcanoplutonic rock assemblages. Copper occurs in skarn formations of magnetite-hematite-chalcopyrite and pyritechalcopyrite ores and in a hydrothermal quartz-sulphide formation. The Farah tungsten copper ore district The Farah tungsten copper ore district (1-15-28) is underlain predominantly by Lower Cretaceous carbonateterrigenous and Eocene-Oligocene volcanic-terrigenous rock units cut by Oligocene intrusions of subvolcanic granite formation. The distribution of the intrusive rocks is controlled by major faults concordant with the general trend of the folds in the Farah Rod Trough. The principal endogenetic mineralization is represented by tungsten and copper occurrences with the subordinate tin, lead, zinc and barite. Tungsten occurs in a scheelite-quartz ore formation in mineralized shear zones in Lower Cretaceous skarnified limestones at their contacts with Late Cretaceous-Paleocene granite massifs. Copper mineralization is associated with garnet and garnet-epidote skarns. Copper occurrences of the hydrothermal quartz-sulphide and pyritic types are abundant throughout the area. The Central Badakhshan Metallogenetic Zone The Central Badakhshan Metallogenetic Zone (1-10) is situated in the Central Badakhshan coinciding geographically with the Shewa, Nakhchir Par and Warw structural-facies zones where various structuralformational complexes outcrop in an intricate system of fault blocks, thrust sheets and nappe outliers. These are Proterozoic metamorphic rocks of the Basement, Paleozoic quasi-cratonic complex of Sedimentary Cover and Mesozoic parageosynclinal complex. Maestrichtian to Paleocene carbonate-volcanogenic rock outcrops are scarce. Intrusive rocks are common in the zone. Oligocene granites occur in multiphase stocklike bodies including a large intrazonal batholith. The endogenetic mineralization of the zone consists of skarn deposits and occurrences of iron and hydrothermal occurrences of gold, copper and tungsten. The zone includes two ore districts, Furmoragh (iron) and Tishaldarrah (tungsten, gold). The Furmoragh ore district The Furmoragh ore district (1-10-6) is situated in the south of the Central Badakhshan Metallogenetic Zone. It consists of thrust sheets and fault blocks. Paleozoic, Triassic and Jurassic carbonate-terrigenous rocks and Eocene-Oligocene acid volcanics cut by Oligocene granite intrusions outcrop in trust sheets and small fault blocks. Most of the iron occurrences and deposits of a skarn magnetite formation are confined to exocontacts of Oligocene granite massifs. Gold occurrences of a quartz-gold-sulphide formation are found in large zones of sheared and silicified carbonate and terrigenous rocks. High concentrations of gold have been recorded in garnet and garnet-magnetite skarns (Furmoragh). Tungsten occurrences are confined to quartz veins emplaced into Proterozoic crystalline schists. The Tishaldarrah ore district The Tishaldarrah ore district (1-10-5) is situated in the north of the Central Badakhshan Zone. The area is composed of Upper Triassic-Middle Jurassic shales, Upper Cretaceous Rudista limestones and Maastrichtian-Paleocene volcanics invaded by small stocks of Oligocene granites. The area has been studied insufficiently. It is known to enclose abundant zones of hydrothermally altered basic and intermediate volcanics carrying high concentrations of tungsten, gold and copper, particularly rich in propylitized zones. The Wakhan Metallogenetic Zone The Wakhan Metallogenetic Zone (1-11) is situated in the Wakhan structural-facies zone. Until recently this territory was a white spot on the geological maps of Afghanistan. In 1973, the area was mapped and prospected on a scale of 1:500,000. It is underlain mostly by highly folded Carboniferous-Triassic fine terrigenous rocks over 3,000 m thick, cut through by Early Cretaceous and Oligocene granites. The endogenetic mineralization of the zone is manifested by iron, copper, tin, lead, zinc and tungsten 47

occurrences. The known tin and tungsten occurrences are genetically associated with massifs of porphyraceous granite, granodiorite and granosyenite of Oligocene age. The rocks are high in alkali. One of the tin occurrences (Qara-Jelga) is confined to a fault zone in porphyraceous granite and granosyenite of the Waghir Massif. Within the fault zone, the granitic rocks are greisenized, silicified and chloritized. The zone encloses lenses, veins and small stockworks rich in iron sulphides, fluorite, apatite, chlorite and cassiterite. Galena, scheelite and molybdenite are present in small amounts. The most significant mechanical mineralogical haloes of cassiterite and scheelite with tungsten, bismuth and secondary lead and zinc minerals are found in Oligocene granitic rocks. Hot springs of monocarbonate-potassium-sodium and monocarbonate sulphate-sodium water are present in fault zones near the mapped haloes.

Metallogenetic Zones Whose Mineralization Is Related To The Neogene-Quaternary Tectono-Magmatic Activition Two metallogenetic provinces, Murghab (1-17) and Bande Amir (1-18) bearing mineralization of NeogeneQuaternary age, are distinguished within the North Afghanistan Platform. The platform comprises several fault blocks differing in the depth to the Folded Basement and in the structure of the Sedimentary Cover. The blocks plunge from the south to the north. They are bounded by major faults or fault systems of a north-west or east-west strike. The diagonal north-east-trending faults which control the areas of the young magmatic rocks are interesting from the metallogenetic viewpoint. In these areas the magmatism was related to uplifting of the Folded Basement and to the Neogene-Quaternary activity. General activation of the territory during Miocene-Quaternary period resulted in the invasion of granitic rocks and eruption of alkali basaltic lavas along the deep-seated faults. For instance, the Okhankoshan arch high of north-eastern strike controls a linear zone of Miocene intrusions and arch block structures in the Sedimentary Cover. The endogenetic mineralization of the Hercynian epoch is known at the block uplifts of the Folded Basement in the Bande Amir Metallogenetic Zone. Copper, lead and zinc occurrences of the pyritic type are found associated with the Upper Triassic subvolcanic rocks. The endogenetic mineralization of the MioceneQuaternary period of activity is represented by two different types of occurrences. The occurrences of the first type are paragenetically associated with the Share Arman complex of minor intrusions. They are found in the Murghab Zone only. These are skarn-type and hydrothermal occurrences of copper, gold and iron, bearing lead, zinc and molybdenum. The other type comprises telethermal deposits and occurrences of mercury, lead, zinc, gold, and barite which do not exhibit any association with igneous rocks. These are found in the Murghab and Bande Amir metallogenetic zones. It is worth noting that workable coals have been found in the Jurassic sediments of the platform. Oil, gas and phosphorites occur in the Cretaceous formations. Murghab Metallogenetic Province The Okhankoshan ore district The Okhankoshan ore district (1-17-30) of the Murghab Metallogenetic Province is situated at the northern offshoots of the Firozkoh Range. The area is underlain by Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene carbonate and Eocene-Oligocene volcanic-terrigenous rocks. The southern part of the district is underlain by Proterozoic and Lower Carboniferous-Triassic volcanogenic-sedimentary rocks invaded by granitoid intrusions. Minor intrusions of Miocene age consist of diorite porphyries, granite porphyry and syenite porphyry. The ore district is notable for the presence of the skarn magnetite-hematite-chalcopyrite, hydrothermal copper-porphyry and quartz-sulphide formations. The first type of the formations is represented by tabular quartz-hematite-magnetite bodies with chalcopyrite and chalcocite disseminations in Upper Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate rocks at the exocontact of Miocene granodiorite massifs. The other type includes quartz-sulphide and quartz biotite-sulphide veins emplaced into Proterozoic schists and in Lower Carboniferous volcanics. The copper-porphyry formation is genetically associated with Miocene granitic rocks. Gold has been found in copper occurrences of all the above types in variable concentrations that occasionally are rather high (up to 35 grams per tonne).

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Iron occurs in skarns of the magnetite-hematite-chalcopyrite formation. Several hydrothermal occurrences of a hematite formation are known. Some hematite bodies emplaced in Proterozoic crystalline rocks have been traced at the surface for three kilometres along the strike, their thickness being about 50 meters. Bande Amir Metallogenetic Zone The Balkhob ore district The Balkhob ore district (1-18-24) of the Bande Amir Metallogenetic Zone is situated in the Bande-Amir River basin, within an uplift consisting of Ordovician terrigenous rocks and Upper Triassic subvolcanic formations. The area is poorly studied. Mineral occurrences of endogenetic mineralization known so far belong to a formation of subvolcanic metasomatic pyrite bodies, Rich mechanical mineralogical haloes of lead, zinc, copper and mercury minerals have been outlined in the district. The Farah Rod Metallogenetic Zone The Farah Rod Metallogenetic Zone (1-19) is situated in the eastern part of the Farah Rod Trough. The northern boundary between the zone and the Afghanistan-South Pamir Region runs along the Qarghanaw Fault, on the east it is cut off by the Helmand Fault, and its western extension is the Shindand-Kishmaran Zone. The Sedimentary Cover of the zone consists of two parts: the lower part made up of Upper JurassicLower Cretaceous terrigenous rocks and the upper part represented by carbonate rocks of Barremian-Albian age. Two narrow extensive zones running along the Qarghanaw and Helmand faults at the margins of the Farah Rod Trough enclose abundant basic and intermediate volcanics embedded in the Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous deposits. The volcanics pinch out rapidly towards the center of the trough. Structurally, the Farah Rod Zone consists of a bundle of linear extensive folds, disintegrated by faults radiating fan-like to the south-west. Igneous rocks are scarce. Early Cretaceous granite and ultrabasic intrusions are present along the Helmand Fault Zone. Minor intrusions of Oligocene age and Miocene dyke fields tracing north-southtrending (diagonal) faults occur in the central part of the trough. The endogenetic mineralization associated with Cretaceous Paleogene intrusions consists of copper, lead, zinc and tungsten occurrences of hydrothermal and skarn origin. The metallogeny of the Farah-Rod Zone greatly depended on the mineralization introduced during the Neogene period of tectonic and igneous activity. The zone includes the Farah Rod mercury bearing zone [27] which is one of the links in the continuous Caucasus-Copet Dagh-Hendukush-Pamir Mercury-Bearing Belt [11]. The most important structural features controlling mercury occurrences are the Helmand Fault Zone and the Pasaband Fault Zone running in the central part of the Farah Rod Trough. The Tarnak Metallogenetic Zone The Tarnak Metallogenetic Zone (1-20) is situated in the northern part of the Dari Rod Trough. The structure of the area is very complex. The area is underlain by basic to intermediate volcanics, ultrabasic, siliceous and metamorphic rocks. Rudista and Orbitolina limestones are also widespread. In places, near major faults, fragments of the above rocks differing in shape and size occur in patches of "coloured melange"-type tectonized units which form fault blocks and wedges aligned with the trend of the zone. The structure of the zone has not been studied adequately yet. The Tarnak Zone contains small non-commercial chromite and copper occurrences associated with an ophiolite formation. Mechanical mineralogical haloes of cinnabar and secondary minerals of lead and zinc have been outlined in areas of propyllitized basic volcanics. The Regestan Metallogenetic Zone The Regestan Metallogenetic Zone (1-16) has been studied insufficiently. It is situated in the extreme southern part of Afghanistan within the Shorowak and Chagay ridges and the Khanneshin Hill. The Shorowak Area is in the south of the Dari Rod Trough which is infilled with Cretaceous volcanicterrigenous-carbonate rocks pierced through by Oligocene sub-volcanic granite intrusions similar to the Bulghaja granites. Only cassiterite, scheelite and tungsten mechanical mineralogical haloes are known from 49

this area. The southern part of the area extends in the northern slopes of the Chagay Mountains built of volcanic-terrigenous-carbonate rocks of Cretaceous age invaded by Oligocene subvolcanic granites. Structurally, the area occupies the southern margin of the South Afghanistan Median Mass at the boundary with the Pishin-Makrana geosyncline area [138]. The endogenetic mineralization of the area has been studied insufficiently. Only mechanical mineralogical haloes of cassiterite and secondary minerals of lead and zinc have been delineated there. A.D. Shaheglov [138] described a copper-molybdenum belt from the southern slopes of the Chagay Ridge. The belt contains copper-molybdenum occurrences and deposits of skarnhydrothermal type associated with Oligocene intermediate and alkali intrusions, and iron, lead and zinc occurrences of the same type. The Khanneshin ore district The Khanneshin ore district (1-16-29) has been delineated in the centre of the Seystan Depression localized at the intersection of two major fault zones in the Folded Basement traced along highly magnetic intrusive bodies [80]. These deep-seated structures control the distribution of Quaternary alkali and carbonatite volcanics. The Khanneshin carbonatite complex is confined to the intersection of the N-S and E-W-trending faults. Rich thorium and rare earth (cerium and lanthanum groups) mineralization with fluorite, barite, apatite, strontianite and magnetite is found in the carbonatites. Uranium deposits and occurrences localized in Neogene terrigenous rocks are related to the products of the post-volcanic carbonatite magmatism. As mentioned above, the unique deposits of aragonite-onyx from Southern Afghanistan are genetically associated with carbonatites. The detailed airborne gamma-spectrometric and magnetic surveys conducted in the Khanneshin Area (80) revealed a number of promising anomalies of radioactivity confined to faults running in Neogene deposits and marked by linear magnetic anomalies. In the north-south-trending belt extending between the Khanneshin Volcano and the Malekdokand aragonite-onyx deposit, the Upper Quaternary and Recent sediments contain abundant fragments of aragonite, alvikite and ankerite barite rocks. Besides, comb-shaped aragonite veins are known to outcrop from beneath the Neogene deposits. This evidence suggests the existence of denuded volcanic structures of the Khanneshin type, as well as aragonite deposits and radioactive ores in this part of the Regestan Desert.

Metallogenetic Zones of Prolonged Evolution And Polycyclic Mineralization The Hari Rod-Panjsher Metallogenic Zone The Hari Rod-Panjsher Metallogenic Zone (1-21) includes the Afghanistan-South Pamir Region, the southern part of the North Afghanistan Platform and the Afghan part of the Turkmenian-Horasan Region. It stretches from the western frontier eastward through the whole country as far as the upper reaches of the Darya-i-Panjsher River. The area displays an extremely complex heterogeneous structure. It consists of Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks belonging to different structural-formational zones. Proterozoic rocks outcrop in the upthrown blocks. A specific feature of this metallogenetic zone is the presence of extensive nappe outliers consisting of Paleozoic and Mesozoic rocks as well as imbricate structure zones. Faults of various magnitudes and origin are regarded as another significant feature of this zone. The largest deep-seated structures are the Hari Rod and Qarghanaw faults which form either one line or a system of contiguous sub-parallel faults, producing a narrow belt of thrust sheets. In the zone there are numerous diagonal-longitudinal faults, disintegrating the structural-facies zones, fault blocks and diagonal north-westtrending faults characterized by right-lateral displacements. The igneous rocks of the Hari Rod-Panjsher Zone vary in age and composition. They were produced by the Baikalian, Hercynian and Alpine periods of tectonic and igneous activity. Most common are the orogenic igneous complexes. The mineral occurrences were formed during the Baikalian, Hercynian and Alpine metallogenetic epochs. As a result of the extremely intense tectonic and igneous activity in this zone, the mineralization of older epochs was regenerated at later epochs, stages and periods. Iron deposits and occurrences were formed during the Baikalian metallogenetic epoch: These are associated with the Upper Proterozoic geosynclinal volcanic terrigenous rocks and are controlled by the Hari Rod Fault Zone. These iron deposits and occurrences form continuous iron-ore belt stretching throughout the Hari Rod-Panjsher Metallogenetic Zone. The endogenous mineralization of the Hercynian epoch produced only small iron and Pb-Zn ore bodies. The Alpine tectonic 50

and igneous activity is responsible for the formation of telethermal deposits and occurrences of lead, zinc, copper, gold, silver, mercury, barite, and manganese. An association of manganese and barite-lead-zinc ores is very common. The Hari Rod Panjsher Zone includes the following ore districts: Safed Koh (barite, lead, zinc), Hajigak (iron), Syah Koh (Pb and Zn) , Farenjal (barite, lead, zinc) and Panjsher (iron). The Safed Koh barite and lead zinc ore district The Safed Koh barite and lead zinc ore district (1-21-32) lies in the north-western part of the country, at the southern foothills of the Paropamiz (Safed Koh) Ridge. It is a zone of imbricate structure bounding the North Afghanistan Platform in the south. The area is underlain by the Lower Triassic volcanic-terrigenous deposits, Cretaceous carbonate rocks and Paleogene volcanics overlain by a cover of Neogene-Quaternary sediments. The barite and barite-lead-zinc mineralization controlled by the north-west-trending Gulran Fault is represented by extensive barite, barite-calcite and barite-calcite-sulphide veins. Copper is found in shear zones in Cretaceous carbonate rocks. Mercury disseminations occur in carbonatized and dickitized cement of sandstone and conglomerate beds in the Paleogene volcanic-terrigenous sequence. The Syah Koh lead-and-zinc ore district The Syah Koh lead-and-zinc ore district (1-21-33) is situated in the Hari Rod River basin within the Syah Koh Ridge. It includes the Haftkala, Khwaja Morad and Nalbandan and other structural-facies zones separated by faults. Structurally, the Haftkala Zone is an uplift within the Afghanistan-South Pamir Folded Region. The bulk of the section is made up of Carboniferous-Triassic carbonate rocks, which partly are a reef facies. The top of Upper Permian limestones comprises a crust of weathering enclosing bauxite beds and lenses reaching 2.5 m in thickness. The Khwaja Morad Zone is underlain by a thick sequence of carbonateterrigenous rocks ranging in age from Carboniferous to Triassic. The Nalbandan Zone displays abundant Jurassic carbonate-terrigenous rocks. Longitudinal faulting is typical of all the structural-facies zones. Lead and zinc mineralization is most abundant. There are also copper, iron, mercury and barite occurrences. Hydrothermal lead-and-zinc occurrences of a quartz-sulphide formation are restricted to wide transverse shear and silicified zones in terrigenous rocks. The predominant lead-and-zinc-bearing ore bodies (e.g. the Nalbandan deposit) are found in wide shear zones. Copper occurs as a subordinate constituent in all the leadand-zinc occurrences. In some occurrences of the quartz-sulphide formation, copper mineralization prevails over lead and zinc sulphides. Poor iron occurrences of a hydrothermal hematite formation are found in fault zones running in Upper Devonian-Lower Carboniferous limestones. The Hajigak iron-ore district The Hajigak iron-ore district (1-21-34) lies in the Lobe Baba Ridge made up of Proterozoic metamorphosed volcanogenous-carbonate rocks and Paleozoic volcanogenous-shaly and carbonate strata. In the district there is a group of iron deposits and occurrences of the same type, Hajigak deposit being the most significant among them. All the deposits belong to a formation of stratiform metamorphosed hematite-magnetite ores. These occur in a zone of a major fault of north-east trend cutting Proterozoic green schists, marbles and dolomites. The Hajigak deposit studied insufficiently, comprises sixteen conformable iron ore lenses and sheets, forming a zone of approximately one kilometre in width and over 10 kilometres in extension. The Farenjal barite and lead zinc ore district The Farenjal barite and lead zinc ore district (1-21-35) is situated in the Gorband River basin, in an area underlain by Paleozoic carbonate-shale and volcanogenous rocks. The area is known for barite and lead-andzinc mineralization. The subordinate mineralization is represented by manganese, iron, copper, talc and asbestos. The deposits and occurrences of the barite and lead-zinc ore formation are usually found in shear zones within Lower Carboniferous terrigenous-carbonate rocks feathering the Major Hari Rod Fault. The tops of the carbonate barite veins are almost devoid of lead and zinc sulphides. From a depth of 100 m down the dip, the calcite-barite ore grades into calcite-sulphide ore poor in barite and rich in lead and zinc. Stream sediment sampling revealed rich haloes of gold and cinnabar with scheelite, wolframite and cassiterite. The source of these minerals is unknown.

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The Panjsher iron ore district The Panjsher iron ore district (1-21-36) is situated in the Panjsher River basin, in a zone of imbricate structure and differently oriented fault blocks composed of Proterozoic and Lower Paleozoic rocks near the Central Badakhshan Fault. The known iron occurrences belong to the siderite-hematite formation. The siderite-hematite ore occurs in extensive sheets and lenticular bodies enclosed in the Proterozoic carbonate strata. The essentially hematitic bodies assayed 60-65% iron, and minor manganese, copper, lead, zinc and silver which occasionally form economic concentrations. For instance, some samples from the Chukrinaw deposit showed up to 1,223 gr/tonne silver.

52

Chapter 4 GENERAL REGULARITIES IN THE DISTRIBUTION OF ENDOGENETIC MINERALIZATION IN AFGHANISTAN

The analysis of the materials on the geology and minerals of Afghanistan (19, 23, 36, 37, 38, 45, 47, 48, 49, 51, 70, 74, 120, 131, 149, and others) has enabled the authors to draw a number of conclusions as to the regularities of the time and spatial distribution of the country's endogenetic mineralization. When considering the processes of endogenetic mineralization in time, the paramount significance of the Pre-Baikalian, Baikalian, Hercynian, and Alpine metallogenetic epochs should be emphasized. Economically important deposits of copper, iron, lazurite, talc-magnesite and muscovite were formed in the Pre-Baikalian and Baikalian epochs. The Hercynian epoch was marked by the formation of small occurrences of which copper-pyrite and quartz-gold-sulphide formations are worthy of mention. The most important role in the metallogeny of Afghanistan, and of the Middle East as a whole, was played by the Alpine epoch (114) which coincided in time with the evolution of the Region of Late Alpine Folding notable for intensive tectonic and igneous activities within the vast territories of the South Afghanistan and Nurestan Pamir median masses and the North Afghanistan Platform. During Cretaceous-Paleogene time enormous fields of rare-metal pegmatites were formed. These carry accumulations of lithium, tantalum, beryllium, caesium, precious stones, piezo-quartz, gold, copper, lead, zinc, tin, tungsten, chromium, and asbestos. Fluorite, barite, celestite, mercury, lead, zinc, uranium, thorium, phosphorus, and rare-earth deposits and occurrences were formed during Neogene-Quaternary period (Table 4). In the spatial distribution of the endogenetic mineralization a significant role is played by the structural factors: the regional faults control the distribution and types of igneous rocks, while the lithology of the rocks composing the structural-facies zones affect both the type of mineralization and the character of magmatism. However, the areas of independent Alpine activity exhibit a disparity between metallogenetic belts and structural units. For instance, the Hazarajat-Nurestan-Pamir Belt with rare metal mineralization combines the Helmand-Argandab arch block uplift and the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass. The Shindand Kishmaran metallogenetic zone includes a system of heterogeneous structural units. This evidence suggests the existence of two types of metallogenetic zones in Afghanistan: (1) the zones owing their origin to an independent evolution of individual structures of the Earth's crust and (2) the zones produced by the processes operating within deep-seated through structures (52).

Folded Regions The Afghanistan - North Pamir Folded Region The Afghanistan-North Pamir Folded Region includes the Badakhshan-North Pamir Metallogenetic Belt extending from the North Pamir to the upper reaches of the Surkhab River for more than 500 km. The northern and western segments of the belt are concealed under the Platform Sedimentary Cover. Two groups of structural-facies zones and respective metallogenetic zones can be distinguished there. One group (with the Surkhab-Jaway Zone) is characterized by the abundance of igneous rocks of eugeosynclinal and orogenic origin carrying copper, gold, lead, and zinc mineralization of quartz-sulphide, quartz-gold-sulphide, pyrite and skarn ore formations. No commercial ore deposits have been found so far, though alluvial gold from the Lower Panj auriferous area is apparently derived from the decomposed bodies of a quartz-gold-sulphide ore formation. The other group (with West Badakhshan Metallogenetic Zone) is recognized in an uplifted fault block of the Pre-Cambrian Basement, extending along the eastern margin of the Hercynides. The zone encloses widespread granitic rock batholiths and carries rare-metal and tin mineralization. The Suleiman-Kirtar Folded Region The Suleiman-Kirtar Folded Region comprises extensive belts with chromite and mercury-lead-zinc mineralization bounding the South Afghanistan Median Mass on south and east. The endogenetic mineralization of the region is divisible into several groups of different ages and different ore formations produced during the Baikalian and Alpine metallogenetic epochs, each group being associated with a respective structural-formational complex. Copper, jaspilite, magnesite, talc and graphite occur in the uplifted blocks of the ancient basement (e.g. the Kabul Zone). Chromite is genetically associated with the 53

ophiolitic zones in the marginal uplifts of the Alpine geosyncline. The inner zones of the geosyncline carry telethermal lead-and-zinc, mercury and gold mineralization.

Median Masses The regularities governing the distribution of the endogenetic mineralization in the median masses of Afghanistan are different from those described above. Their metallogeny is characterized by a wide range of types of mineral deposits and occurrences whose origin is attributed to different periods of the geological history of the areas. Old deposits and occurrences of copper, iron, lazurite, molybdenum, spinel, micamuscovite, graphite, and phlogopite are found in crystalline rocks of the Basement. The Sedimentary Cover contains pegmatite, skarn and hydrothermal deposits and occurrences of tin, gold, tungsten, rare metal, copper, lead, zinc, mercury, fluorite, uranium, and rare earths, belonging to different ore formations. An important role in the localization of igneous rocks and the resulting mineralization was played by faults. Longitudinal regional faults govern the position and direction of metallogenetic zones coincident with structural facies zones, and control the location of arch-block uplifts and superimposed troughs compensating them. Transverse and diagonal faults act as boundaries between the ore districts. Longitudinal and transverse faults breaking the median masses impart the metalliferous areas an appearance of rectangular blocks. The early (Cretaceous-Paleogene) stage of the Alpine tectonic and igneous activity was marked by the formation of mineral deposits and occurrences genetically or closely paragenetically associated with igneous rocks (the deposits of magmatic, skarn, greisen, pegmatite and copper pyrite type). Mostly telethermal polycyclic low-temperature fluorite, barite, celestite, lead, zinc, and uranium deposits and occurrences were formed near the surface during the late (Neogene-Quaternary) stage of tectonic and igneous activity. The nature of the metallogeny in the median masses is substantially influenced by the composition of the Sedimentary Cover (essentially carbonate in the South Afghan Median Mass and terrigenous in the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass). The median masses of Afghanistan are bounded on all the sides by narrow and extensive volcanic belts comprising various endogenetic mineralization. The Sari Rod Badakhshan Volcanic Belt bounds the South Afghanistan Median Mass in the north and the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass in the west [28]. In the east, south and west, the South Afghanistan Median Mass is separated from the Alpine Geosyncline Region by the Tarnak-Asparan chromite bearing belt of ultrabasic rocks (the KandaharLogar, Chagay and East Iranian belts of ultrabasic rocks described by V.M. Moraliov and Yu.S. Perfiliev [107]. The Konar-Tashkuprok Volcanic Belt extends along the eastern boundary of the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass and Hercynian geosyncline. The inside marginal zones of the South Afghanistan Median Mass are abundant in Paleogene volcanoplutonic granitic rocks and Pliocene-Early Quaternary terrestrial acid, alkalic (including carbonatitic) and basaltic volcanics. The volcano-plutonic granitic rocks carry tin, tungsten, copper, lead, and zinc mineralizations. The neovolcanic activity introduced aragonite, uranium, thorium, rare earth, fluorite, barite, phosphorus, and iron mineralizations. The South Afghanistan Median Mass The South Afghanistan Median Mass comprises a system of structural units characterized by igneous formations differing in the type of mineralization. These are: 1) the Helmand-Argandab arch-block uplift containing essentially granitic rocks of the Oligocene batholith formation; 2) the Early Cretaceous superimposed terrigenouscarbonate troughs enclosing basaltic and acid volcanics and femic-type intrusions; 3) intrageoanticlinal-type dome uplifts carrying Eocene-Oligocene volcano-plutonic granitic rocks. Some variations in the type of mineralization of the contemporaneous granite formation of the Helmand and Argandab Complexes necessitated the recognition of the Helmand and Argandab-Tirin metallogenic zones. In addition to the structural-lithological factors, the location and depth of the chambers may have played an important role and contributed to the specific features of each zone. The granitic rocks of the Helmand Complex were derived from the sialic chambers. They carry essential rare-metal mineralization. The granitic rocks of the Argandab Complex are controlled by a deep-seated fault zone. The main elements defining the metallization of the rocks are iron, copper, gold, lead, zinc, tungsten, tin, and rare metals. 54

The enclosing rocks played an important role in the formation and distribution of mineralization in the Helmand-Argandab Uplift. In the Argandab-Tirin Zone, iron, copper, lead, zinc, gold, tin and tungsten occur exclusively in carbonate rocks of different ages. Tin mineralization is particularly abundant in carbonate rocks or skarns derived from the carbonate rocks due to intensive metasomatic activity (the Magn, Chenar and other deposits). This type of tin mineralization has been poorly studied in Afghanistan. But the example of tinbearing provinces of the world having the same type of mineralization suggests that the tin occurrences found in Afghanistan should be studied at depth and new ones may be found in the Tirin-Argandab metallogenetic zone. In the Helmand Zone, tin and tungsten mineralization occurs both in carbonate and alumo-silicate rocks. Igneous rocks are scarce in the Farah Rod and Dari Rod troughs. The volcanics, basic and ultrabasic intrusive rocks present in the deep-seated fault zones are practically barren. The diagonal (north-south-trending) faults control the distribution of the minor intrusions and dykes and fields of basic intrusive rocks high in alkali content. These contain small occurrences of copper, lead and zinc. The Shindand-Kishamaran Metallogenetic Zone is abundant in Eocene-Oligocene volcano plutonic granitic rock types varying greatly in facies and having high alkali content. This volcano-plutonic complex is notable for the presence of tin, tungsten, copper, lead and zinc occurrences of cassiterite-sulphide, cassiterite-silicate and quartz-sulphide formations. In the Seystan superimposed depression, whose folded basement is overlain only by Neogene sediments, the endogenetic mineralization occurs in carbonatites found in deep-seated fault zones. As mentioned above, the median masses of Afghanistan are bounded by igneous-rock belts carrying different mineralization. An iron-bearing belt with Baikalian epoch mineralization extends along the northern boundary of the Afghanistan-South Pamir Folded Region. In the Alpine epoch, telethermal lead, zinc, mercury, barite and gold mineralization was introduced there. Copper, lead and zinc occur in Cretaceous to Paleogene intrusions extending along the eastern, southern and western margins of the region. This belt traverses various structural blocks which were subjected to tectonic and igneous activity being itself divided into segments different in ore formations and intensity of mineralization. The eastern segment contains skarn-type copper-gold and pyritechalcopyrite occurrences and hydrothermal quartz-sulphide and porphyry-copper formations paragenetically associated with Cretaceous-Paleogene granitic rock intrusions. Gold, molybdenum and bismuth are constantly found in the copper-lead-zinc occurrences. Tin and tungsten are occasional. According to A.D. Shcheglov [138], the southern segment of the South Afghanistan Median Mass carries copper-molybdenum and quartz-sulphide mineralization associated with Cretaceous-Paleogene igneous rocks. The western segment comprises occurrences of copper-pyrite, quartz-sulphide, pyrite-chalcopyrite and magnetite-hematite-chalcopyrite ore formations associated paragenetically with Eocene-Oligocene volcanoplutonic rocks. The copper-pyrite ore is related to Early Cretaceous subvolcanic formations. Tin and tungsten are permanent minor metals in all the copper-lead-zinc occurrences of the western segment. It should be noted that the main belts of thermal mineralized (carbonated and nitrous) water are confined to the outer margins of the South Afghanistan Median Mass. Numerous artesian springs function in the Shekari-Gorband Area, the area of convergence of the major faults (Hari Rod, Qarghanaw, Chaman-Mokur, Sarobay, Central Badakhshan, Helmand) and, consequently, the main thermal water belts. The springs are abundant in carbonated water of a unique composition. The water contains extremely high concentrations of such micro-elements as lithium, rubidium, caesium, boron, germanium, beryllium, arsenic, and strontium. It is commercially valuable due to high concentrations of lithium, rubidium, caesium and boron. The specific mineralization of the outer margins of the South Afghanistan Median Mass is probably accounted for by the connection of the ore-generating magmatic centres with the deep-seated fault zones separating the Alpine geosyncline region from the median mass. The inner zones of the median mass carry abundant telethermal mineralization (mercury, lead, zinc, fluorite, etc.) localized in fault zones within the downthrown blocks covered by thick terrigenous-carbonate deposits. The Nurestan Pamir Median Mass The Nurestan Pamir Median Mass is an old structure which comprises mineral deposits formed during different metallogenetic epochs. It combines a group of heterogeneous polygonal fault blocks whose crystalline basement consists of Pre-Cambrian metamorphic rocks. The basement is overlain by a quasi-cratonic complex 55

of Upper Paleozoic-Triassic sediments preserved in narrow and extensive graben-synclines. The block-type structural pattern of the mass was produced by intersecting N-E-and N-S-trending faults. The Pamir, Badakhshan and Nurestan territory was raised in Recent epoch up to 7,000 m. The parageosynclinal cover was formed during Late Paleozoic and Mesozoic times and subsequently eroded during the Pliocene-Quaternary period together with the ore formations encountered now in the South Afghanistan Median Mass. The elevated areas of the Archean crystalline basement in the South Badakhshan Fault Block contain lazurite, phlogopite, molybdenum occurrences and muscovite-bearing pegmatites. The Alpine epoch was marked by the formation of vast fields of rare-metal pegmatite and tungsten occurrences. Spatially, the pegmatite fields are confined to the Laghman granite massifs sandwiched between the Precambrian gneisses and Carboniferous to Triassic shales. The rare-metal pegmatites show a genetic relationship with the third phase granites of the Laghman Complex. Within the Nilaw-Kulam and Alingar pegmatite fields, the thirdphase granites grade into schlieren pegmatites and then into schlieren cross-cutting and cross-cutting pegmatite bodies extending upwards into the rocks covering granitic massifs. The pegmatite fields have similar mode of occurrence, vertical dimension of pegmatite veins and zonal distribution of pegmatite rock types. Twenty-one fields are known in the area of the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass. The fields vary in size from 10 to 1,500 square kilometres. Structurally, they may be subdivided into three types: 1) the fields of steeply dipping veins; 2) the fields of gently dipping sills and 3) the fields of small intraformational lenticular bodies. Only the first- and second-type fields are of practical value. The pegmatite fields of the first type comprise most of the lithium occurrences found in this area. The pegmatites of the second type contain commercially important concentrations of beryllium, tantalum, precious stones, piezo-quartz and tourmaline. Steeply dipping pegmatite veins occur in schists forming linearly elongated zones, conformable with the enclosing rocks (Paprok, Waygal, etc.). The pegmatite bodies are eroded down dip for 2,000 meters. Gently dipping pegmatite sills (Nilaw Sulam, Darrahe Pech and other fields) occur mainly in gabbroic and diorite bodies of the Nilaw Complex. Occasionally, gently dipping and cross-cutting sills are found in Proterozoic gneiss (Paron, Wazgul, etc. fields). The pegmatite bodies of the third type are embedded in the schist surrounding small bodies of the third phase granites. The Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass is subdivided into the Nurestan and Hendukush belts of rare-metal pegmatites which bound the Alingar granitic pluton in the west and east [122]. Some of the pegmatite fields (Marid, Chawki, Pachagan, Daram) lie outside the recognized belts. It is likely that they belong to the Sonar Belt, which joins the Nurestan Belt near the Darrah Bur Field. The Badakhshan Belt consisting of the Panjsher, Talbuzanak and some parts of the North Pamir and Kunlun fields appears to extend to the north-western margin of the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass. The Nurestan, Hendukush and Badakhshan pegmatitic belts are the main constituent parts of the Pamir-Hendukush rare-metal pegmatite province, described by L.N. Rossovsky (121). The spatial position of the Darrahe Pech and Nilaw-Kulam large gabbroic bodies and the distribution of the pegmatite fields are of a particular interest. These bodies and the large isometric bodies of the third-phase granites of the Laghman Complex occurring in the central part of the Alingar Pluton, are confined to a hidden deep-seated transversal fault of a NW strike. This fault is parallel to a major fault bounding the Kabul Zone to the north-east. The description of the general metallogeny of the median masses of Afghanistan would be incomplete without a detailed analysis of the principal regularities governing the distribution of the mercury, tin and tungsten mineralizations. Mercury occurs in various sedimentary and igneous rocks ranging in age from Early Cretaceous to Miocene. Mineralogically, the mercury ore formations can be subdivided into the dickite, dickite-quartz and calcite types. Structurally and morphologically, most of the known occurrences are of the fissure type. Mercury occurrences are concentrated in specific structures notable for mostly mercuric mineralization. These structures may be considered as mercury bearing metallogenic zones. Such zones are the Farah Rod, Umiak, and Hari Rod, Panjsher (27, 93). These extend between the Alpine mercury occurrences of the Pamir subprovince and of the Kopet Dagh Zone of the Caucasus-Kopet Dagh Transregional Metalliferous Belt [93]. They are controlled by a single system of the Central Badakhshan and Hari Rod fault zones. An extension of this fault system over the Pamir territory is the zone of the Wanch-Sarykol Fault controlling the mercury mineralization in the Wanch-Sarykol, Tanymas and Pshurt metallogenetic zones (11).

56

Thus, the mercury occurrences of Afghanistan, the Pamir and the Kopet Dagh have a common system of controlling faults and, on this basis, may be regarded as forming the single Caucasus Hendukush Pamir Transregional Alpine Mercury-Bearing Belt [27]. One of the characteristic metallogenetic features of the median masses in Afghanistan is the abundant tin and tungsten mineralization formed during the Alpine epoch of tectonic and igneous activity. Until recently tin and tungsten have not been regarded as typical elements of endogenous metallogeny of Afghanistan. However, the investigations carried out by V.M. Narodny and S.L. Shvarkov [109] and a number of surveys performed under the guidance of Sh.Sh. Denikayev [44], Yu.M. Dovgal [42], V.I. Dronov [45], V.N. Yefimenko [157] and others made it possible to delineate numerous mechanical mineralogical haloes of cassiterite and scheelite and many occurrences of tin and tungsten of various mineral assemblages. This evidence is a good basis for regarding Afghanistan as another tungsten-tin province in the Mediterranean Metalliferous Belt [25]. Almost all the formation types of tin mineralization are present in the median masses of Afghanistan (Table 5). Most of the tin- and rare-metal-bearing pegmatites, cassiterite-quartz and tin bearing skarn formations occur within the Helmand-Argandab and Nurestan Badakhshan arch block uplifts. Cassiterite-silicate and cassiteritesulphide formations are found in the subsided areas overlain by parageosynclinal sediments. A close spatial and age relationship between tin and tungsten mineralization and Oligocene granitic intrusions is established throughout the area. Even the most low-temperature silicate-carbonate occurrences, remote from intrusions are localized in the areas subject to a strong granite magmatism, i.e. in areas underlain by marmorized limestones and magnesian skarn type formations produced by the general heating of the enclosing rocks and metasomatic alteration of dolomite bearing marbles. The most close association with igneous rocks is displayed by the deposits and occurrences of tin- and rare-metal-bearing pegmatites, tin- and tungsten-bearing skarns and quartzcassiterite formations. Four tin-bearing granitic complexes of Oligocene age have been distinguished in Afghanistan. These are the Laghman, Helmand, Argandab, and Bulghaja [150]. A characteristic feature of the Laghman Granite, particularly of the third phase granites, is that they produced albitization, microclinization and muscovitization of the enclosing alum-silicate rocks. The leucocratic granites of the Helmand Complex proved to contain cassiterite. The bodies of the tin-bearing pegmatites are restricted to the exocontacts of the first-phase granite intrusions of the Helmand Complex. Cassiterite-quartz occurrences are found around the bodies of the second-phase leucocratic granites. The latter show intense greisenization and silicification. The Argandab Granite Complex is marked for high alkalinity with potassium prevailing over sodium. Hybrid rock types and skarns are present in the endocontact zones of the Argandab intrusions. The leucocratic granites of the final phases contain cassiterite. Cassiterite-quartz and tin-bearing greisen occurrences are associated with the granites of the Argandab Complex. Tin-bearing skarns are more abundant. Tin occurrences of the silicate-carbonate type are found at some distance from the intrusions. Boron and fluorine mineralization is characteristic of the final phase granites of the Argandab Complex evidenced by the presence of the zones of tourmalinization, boron bearing skarns and greisens with topaz and fluorite. The Bulghaja Complex consists of plutonic and volcanic rock assemblages characterized by high alkalinity with potassium prevailing over sodium. The granites of the final phases contain cassiterite. Most of tin occurs in a silicate-sulphide ore formation. The formation of tin mineralization was considerably influenced by different structural environment. The presence of regional vertical zoning of genetically different groups of tin mineralization is rather conspicuous. The crystalline basement of the median masses encloses silicate-quartz, predominantly raremetal- and tin-bearing pegmatite formations in which tin is paragenetically associated with lithium, tantalum, and niobium. The carbonate deposits of the quasi-cratonic cover contain mainly tin occurrences of the silicate-carbonate group, Tin bearing skarn formations are usually notable for copper, iron, and hypogene borates. A characteristic feature of the tin-bearing silicate-carbonate occurrences in Afghanistan is the presence of copper, lead, zinc mineral assemblage with occasional tungsten. The mineral assemblages and other features typical of the tin-bearing areas of Afghanistan with the characteristic silicate-carbonate type

57

ore formation are much similar to those of the South Chinese metallogenetic province (Dedzu), Alaska and other regions of the world [25, 157]. Tin occurrences of the silicate-quartz and silicate sulphide types were formed in the superimposed basins, particularly in those developed within inland uplifts which owe their forming to volcano-tectonic processes, the basins being infilled mainly with alumo-silicate sediments cut by acid intrusions and containing volcanic rocks. In the quartz-cassiterite formation, tin is associated with scheelite, wolframite and copper sulphides; in the silicate-sulphide formation it is associated with copper, lead, zinc, and occasionally wolframite. It is remarkable that tin mineralization of all the genetic types is spatially isolated from mercury. Within the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass, which is an inaccessible and poorly studied part of the country, extensive mechanical mineralogical haloes of scheelite were outlined. Apart from scheelite, heavy concentrates contain cassiterite (in 70 per cent of the heavy concentrates), bismuthinite, galena and gold. The haloes with weight contents of scheelite reach hundreds of square kilometres in area. The area is underlain by metamorphosed carbonate rocks invaded by the Laghman Granite intrusions. A small-scale geological survey conducted in the Alingar, Paprok, Darrahe Pech river basins revealed pyroxene, pyroxene-garnet and other skarn formations carrying occasionally copper and molybdenum sulphides, and scheelite. In future prospecting particular attention should be given to skarn zones of potential hydrothermal mineralization. Tungsten is likely to occur in skarn-scheelite and quartz-scheelite formations bearing copper, molybdenum and gold-sulphide mineralization.

North Afghanistan Platform The North Afghanistan Platform was only partially affected by the processes of the Neogene-Quaternary tectonic and igneous activity. The areas subjected to these processes are the Balkhab Uplift, the AfghanistanSouth Tadjikistan Depression and the southern peripheries of the platform. The igneous formations of Miocene-Quaternary age and the related endogenetic mineralization are confined to the uplifted fault blocks of the Folded Basement. The skarn-type and hydrothermal copper, gold, lead, iron and molybdenum mineralization is associated genetically and paragenetically with minor Miocene intrusions occurring in the Okhankoshan ore-controlling structure. The telethermal occurrences of barite, celestite, mercury, lead, and zinc exhibit no relation to magmatism. They are controlled by faults. It should be noted that barite and celestite are found at the southern margins of the platform only.

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Chapter 5 OIL AND GAS POTENTIAL

Three oil fields (Angot, Aq Darya and Kashkari), five natural gas pools (Khwaja Gogerdak, Jarquduk, Yatim Tag, Juma and Chashma-i-Khwaja Bulan) and numerous surface oil and gas shows had been discovered in Afghanistan by the beginning of 1977. All the known fields are situated within the North Afghanistan Platform. Purposeful and most intensive oil and gas exploration in Northern Afghanistan has started since the end of the 1950s with technical assistance of the USSR. The results obtained have been summarized in the reviews by V.I. Bratash et.al. (18), S.D. Ivanov et.al. (68), F.U. Ahmedzyanov et.al. (2), and others. Based on the lithologo-stratigraphic, tectonic and other data on oil and gas potential of Afghanistan, there can be recognized the Afghanistan-South Turkmenistan and the Afghanistan-South Tadjikistan oil and gasbearing basins, as well as the Tirpul, South Afghan and Katawaz potential oil and gas bearing basins. The Afghanistan-South Turkmenistan oil and gas-bearing basin The Afghanistan-South Turkmenistan oil and gas-bearing basin is recognized in the western part of the North Afghanistan Platform. The southern and the eastern boundaries of the basin are the Paropamir-Tir Bande Turkestan Uplift and the pericline of the South-West Gissar Meganticlinorium. The northern and the western boundaries of the basin lie in the USSR. The sedimentary units of the basin comprise the Jurassic, Cretaceous, Paleogene, Neogene and Quaternary sediments varying in total thickness from 500-1,000 meters (the Maymana Uplift) to 5,000-6,000 meters (the Dowlatabad and the Obruchev troughs). Out of these, potential oil and gas bearing complexes are tine Upper Jurassic sulphate-carbonate strata and the Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous unit. The Lower-Middle Jurassic terrigenous and the Senonian-Paleocene carbonate-terrigenous complexes are regarded as potentially oil-and gas-bearing. The productivity of the complexes has been proved in the adjacent areas of the USSR. The Lower-Middle Jurassic complex forms the base of the Platform Sedimentary Cover and is distributed over most of the basin. The complex comprises continental coal-bearing sediments abundant in carbonized plants and occurs practically everywhere at a depth of 4,000 m favourable for hydrocarbon accumulation. It is composed of low porosity (up to 15%) sandstone interlayers and members, as well as clay cap rocks. The Lower-Middle Jurassic complex is of practical interest on the Andkhoy Swell and within the Dawlatabad and Obruchev troughs adjacent to them from north and south. The Upper Jurassic complex is distributed over most of the basin. It is represented by limestone-dolomite unit in the lower portion and by limestone-dolomite-anhydrite strata in the upper portion. It bears commercial gas potential within the Khwaja Gogerdak, Yatim Tag, Jarquduk and Juma areas. The producing horizons are porous, fractured, less often cavernous dolomitized, occasionally anhydritized limestones. The number of the producing horizons is 1 to 3. The reservoir properties of the producing horizons are characterized by 5 to 6 per cent open porosity and a permeability in the order of the first units of millidarcy. There are all grounds to anticipate presence of reefogenic units with highly capacious reservoirs in the above complex. The cap rocks are compact beds of limestone and anhydrite. In terms of hydrogeological conditions, the complex is notable for infiltration ground water runoff of a northern trend. As to the northern part of the basin (the Andkhoy Swell and the Obruchev Trough) the ground water is practically stagnant. Gas in the pools is essentially methane (86.68 to 90.0%) with a high content of heavy hydrocarbons (0.5 to 2.34%), carbon dioxide (7.52 to 11.68% and hydrogen sulphide (0.35 to 3.49%). The Jarquduk field has a fringe of a heavy (0.927 gm/cu cm in density), tarry (tar content being 9.75 to 12.41%), sulphurous (0.81 to 1.64%) oil with a 200C fraction yield of 2.0 to 6.99. Thus, with gas potentialities prevailing, the complex under consideration is likely to be oil-bearing. The pools are of sheet, archy and massive type. The considerable variation in reservoir properties ensures a lithological shielding of individual horizons up the dip, whereas faulting favours the formation of tectonically shielded pools. The structural pattern of the complex coincides in general with the structure of the Senonian Paleocene marker beds differing from the latter in details. The thick halogenic unit may cause the arch portions shift on the subsalt carbonate sediments over a distance of two to three kilometres relatively to the suprasalt beds. Thus, all the favourable features of the Upper Jurassic sulphate-carbonate complex suggest that it is a major object for gas exploration in Northern Afghanistan where gas reserves of 30 to 50 billion cu m or more are anticipated.

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The Lower Cretaceous complex is ubiquitous, though in the southern part of the basin (the Yaymana Uplift) its lower portions (Berriasian, Valanginian and Hauterivian beds) pinch out. The accumulation of the sediments took place under a gradual change of lagoonal-continental conditions by those of a marine basin environment which had existed by Albian time. Relatively rudaceous rocks occur in the lower part of the complex, while its upper horizons are composed of clay-carbonate deposits. In the adjacent areas of the USSR, the Lower Cretaceous deposits proved to be highly gas-bearing. In Northern Afghanistan both gas and oil fields are also confined to the above strata. The Lower Cretaceous deposits are non-productive in the areas where they are underlain by the Upper Jurassic halogenic unit, thus suggesting an epigenetic oil and gas content of the complex. The Hauterivian sandstone member correlatable with the producing horizon XIV in the Soviet part of the basin is a major oil and gas-bearing unit. It contains gas pools within the Khwaja Gogerdak, Jarquduk, Yatim Tag and Chashma-i-Khwaja Bulan fields, as well as oil pools within the Angot, Aq Darya and Kashkari areas. Typical of the unit is a granular type of the reservoir with an open porosity reaching 20 to 22% and the Barremian clayey cap rock. Commercial oil potential is also proved in the Aptian (the Kashkari area) and the Albian (the Aq Darya-area) sandstones. Gas potential is established in the Aptian, Albian and Cenomanian strata (the Khwaja Gogerdak and Yatim Tag areas). Indications of a non-commercial oil pool were encountered in the deposits under consideration within the Angot area (3). The reservoirs are the AptianAlbian sandstones, but their reservoir properties degrade from bottom to top due to a higher clay and lime content of the rocks. In all the fields the cap rocks consist of clay. The present structure of the complex was formed in the process of a long geological evolution but its final formation refers to the Neogene. The local folds are either crest-like (the Kashkari area) or gentle brachyanticlinal (the Khwaja Gogerdak area). Low-amplitude normal faults are not uncommon. The hydrogeological conditions differ in various areas and producing horizons of the Lower Cretaceous complex. In the area adjacent to the southern boundary of the basin the Hauterivian horizon is in the zone of free water exchange with in-filtration, low mineralized, monocarbonate-sodium waters. All the three oil fields of Afghanistan are characterized by such an unfavourable environment. The water exchange becomes slower northwards. The Aptian-Albian producing horizons with the poorer reservoir properties occur in less active water exchange, thus creating better conditions for hydrocarbons preservation and better quality of oil. The Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous complex of the Afghanistan-South Turkmenistan oil- and gasbearing basin is characterized by quite a regular spatial distribution of hydrocarbons. The deeper zones are generally gas bearing, whereas relatively uplifted areas at the periphery of the basin are oil-bearing. The most uplifted areas (the Sheram Arch, the Koh-i-Alburs-Mormul Zone of anticlinal folds) have only residual oil indications or are completely barren. Gas in the Cretaceous deposits is essentially methane (CH4 content varying from 92.49% in the Hauterivian pool of the Chashma-i-Khwaja Bulan field to 98.56%, in the Aptian-Lower Albian deposits of the Khwaja Gogerdak field). The content of heavy hydrocarbons reaches 2% (the Chashma-i-Khwaja Bulan field). The maximum carbon dioxide content (up to 8.8%) is reported from the Hauterivian pool of the Yatim Tag area. Unlike the Upper Jurassic complex, the hydrogen sulphide admixture is not ubiquitous there. In the largest Hauterivian pool of the Khwaja Gogerdak area no hydrogen sulphide has been recorded, and its maximum content (0.344%) is reported from the smallest Hauterivian pool of the Chashma-Khwaja Bulan area. In the Jarquduk field no hydrogen sulphide is traced in the keystone part of the Hauterivian pool, but up to 0.13% of hydrogen sulphide is found in its marginal part. On the whole, the content of this component is considerably lower than that of the Upper Jurassic sulphate-carbonate deposits. The Cretaceous oils are characterized by different physical and chemical properties which depend mainly on the present mode of occurrence and, first of all, on the hydrogeological environment. The Hauterivian horizon comprising oil pools in the Angot, Aq Darya and Kashkari areas is notable for: the highest density of oil (0.904 to 0.915 gm/cu cm in the Angot area, 0.925 gm/cu cm in the Aq Darya area, 0.89 gm/cu cm in the Kashkari area), a high content of sulphur (0.85 to 2.9%) and tar (3.7 to 14.24%), and a low yield of light fractions (200C fraction yield is 2.12 to 6.4%). This horizon has an active water-head regime and a relatively high (up to 90-100 tons/day) yield of the producing wells.

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The Lower Albian producing horizon consisting of low-porosity clayey sandstone is characterized by a lighter oil (0.822 to 0.843 gm/cu cm in the Aq Darya area) with a lower content of sulphur ani a relatively high yield of light fractions (11.3 to 24% in the Aq Darya area and 31% in the Angot area). The Middle Albian oil of the Angot field is similar to the aforesaid. Typical of the horizons is a waterhead regime with low yield of producing wells (less than 15 tons/day) caused by the deterioration of reservoir properties. All the oils contain paraffin (2 to 7 mass per cent) with a fusion temperature of 50 to 60C. As shown by the hydrocarbon bulk analysis of the Angot Hauterivian and the Jarquduk Upper Jurassic, oils, the fraction distribution curves of methane, napthene and aromatic hydrocarbons are principally coincident. Aromatic hydrocarbons content in all the fractions is constant and rather similar (about 20%). This may testify to a certain genetic affinity of the Upper Jurassic sulphate-carbonate oil with that of the Cretaceous carbonateterrigenous complex. Dissolved gases of the Lower Cretaceous oil fields differ in the Hauterivian and AptianAlbian horizons. The Hauterivian oils are saturated with essentially carbonic acid gas (10 to 11 cu.m/cu.m), the CO2 content is 82 to 96%. The hydrocarbon content is insignificant (12.5 to 17.17% in the Angot area and 1.42 to 7.94% in the Aq Darya area) with heavy methane homologueses prevailing. Oil from the Albian horizon is characterized by a relatively low gas saturation (3.1 cu.m/cu.m in the Aq Darya area). It is a hydrocarbon gas (hydrocarbon content = 88%, CH4 = 78%) with carbon dioxide (0.15%) and hydrogen sulphide (0.07%). Numerous surface oil shows and oil indications in cores are found within the Lower Cretaceous carbonateterrigenous complex. Of particular interest are oil shows within the Maymana Uplift which is poorly studied as to the oil and gas potential. Oil shows are found within two areas of the Jigdalek Swell (the Aligul and the Jigdalek localities) in the Aptian-Albian sandstone. In addition, a small pool of carbonic acid gas (CO2 content being 96 to 99%) has been discovered in the Jigdalek area. The Lower Cretaceous oil and gas bearing complex is practically accessible for oil and gas exploration throughout the Afghanistan-South Turkmenistan oil and gas bearing basin. The complex is especially promising for an increase of commercial oil reserves at the periphery of the basin, as well as reserves of the sulphur-free gas in the central areas of the basin. Since the hydrogeological conditions of the basin are complex and, on the whole, unfavourable, large pools can hardly be discovered in the most of the area. The Senonian-Paleocene potential oil and gas bearing complex is composed of clay-carbonate and carbonate deposits occurring throughout the Afghanistan-South Turkmenistan oil and gas bearing basin. This complex comprises a number of gas pools (Islim, Karachok, Karabil) discovered in the Soviet part (Southern Turkmenistan) of the oil and gas-bearing basin. In the complex gas is probably epigenetic being accumulated due to a hydrocarbon migration from the deep Lower-Middle Jurassic oil and gas generating units of the basin. The gas bearing deposits are limestone and calcareous sandstone, while the cap rocks are Senonian clay, Paleocene compact limestone interlayers and Eocene clay and marl. The hydrogeological conditions of the complex are different. The southern part (the Paropamiz-Tir Bande Turkestan Uplift) of the complex is exposed, strongly eroded and unpromising for oil and gas accumulations. The northern part plunging under the Paleogene-Neogene cover is more promising. Proceeding from the available geological criteria, the following oil and gas bearing zones can be recognized within the Afghanistan-South Turkmenistan basin: a) The East-Shebergan Zone confined to the eastern part of the Shebergan Fault Block. The producing horizons are the Cretaceous and partly the Upper Jurassic deposits. The zone is promising for oil and gas. b) The Andkhoy Zone situated within the Andkhoy Swell. The producing strata are the Upper Jurassic and possibly the Lower-Middle Jurassic deposits. The zone is promising for gas. c) The Dawlatabad Zone confined to the marginal parts and the centrocline of the Dawlatabad Trough. The producing complexes are the Cretaceous, the Upper Jurassic and possibly the Lower-Middle Jurassic units. The zone is promising for oil. d) The Karabil-Maymana Zone (the Maymana Uplift). The producing horizon is of Cretaceous age. The zone is promising for oil.

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e) The Qaysar Zone bounded by the Qaysar Trough. Possible productive units are of Late Jurassic, Early Cretaceous and Senonian-Paleocene ages. f) The Kushka Zone confined to the southern plunge of the Tir Bande Turkestan Uplift. The producing horizons are of Early Cretaceous and Senonian-Paleocene ages. The zone is promising for gas. g) The Bande Ghandaw Zone confined to the south-eastern margin of the Kalar-i-Pin Trough. Possible productive unit is of Cretaceous age. The zone is promising for oil. TheAfghanistan-South Tadjikistan oil and gas-bearing basin TheAfghanistan-South Tadjikistan oil and gas-bearing basin is recognized in the eastern part of the North Afghanistan Platform. In Afghanistan, the basin is bounded by: the Region of Hercynian Folding on the east, the Shebergan Fault Block on the south, the South-West Gissar pericline on the west. The northern boundary of the basin lies in the USSR. The folded basement of the basin is composed of the Karategin metamorphics. The Sedimentary Cover comprises the Jurassic, Cretaceous, Paleogene, Neogene and Quaternary deposits, more than 10,000 m thick. The Sedimentary Cover of the Afghanistan-South Tadjikistan oil and gas bearing basin differs from that of the Afghanistan-South Turkmenistan basin in a greater thickness of the OligoceneNeogene orogenic unit within synclines. No commercial oil and gas reserves have been established in the Afghan part of the oil and gas bearing basin because the basin has been studied inadequately. By analogy with the Afghanistan-South Turkmenistan oil and gas-bearing basin and the Soviet part of the basin in question, there are all reasons to anticipate presence of Jurassic, Cretaceous and Paleogene oil and gas bearing complexes in this part of the basin. The geological conditions of this area favoured hydrocarbon accumulation both in the Lower-Middle Jurassic coal-bearing complex and in the Cretaceous carbonateterrigenous unit, and possibly in the Paleogene deposits. The Lower-Middle Jurassic potentially oil and gas-bearing complex of the Afghanistan-South Tadjikistan oil and gas-bearing basin is practically unaccessible for oil and gas exploration because of the large depth of occurrence. The Upper Jurassic sulphate-carbonate formation are probably penetrable in the western marginal part of the Afghanistan-South Tajikistan Trough only. The Lower Cretaceous and the Senonian-Paleocene complexes are unaccessible for oil and gas exploration within the greater part of the Badakhshan Foredeep. In Southern Uzbekistan and Southern Tadjikistan the Senonian-Paleocene complex is a major unit promising for commercial oil. Deep-seated positive structures are promising for light oil pools. The following zones of oil and gas accumulation are established in the Afghanistan-South Tadjikistan oil and gas-bearing basin: a) The Surkhan Darya Zone confined to a megasyncline of the same name and located in the western part of the Afghanistan-South Tadjikistan Trough. Possible productive complexes are the Upper Jurassic (gas), the Lower Cretaceous (gas and oil) and the Senonian-Paleocene (oil) units. b) The Kafirnigan Zone. Possible productive horizons consist of the Upper Jurassic (gas) and the Cretaceous (oil) and gas) deposits. c) The Wakhsh Zone. The Senonian-Paleocene unit may prove to be potentially oil and gas-bearing. d) The Ab-i-Garm Zone. Oil shows are found in the Lower Cretaceous and the Senonian-Paleocene complexes. The Upper Jurassic sulphate-carbonate unit may possibly be gas bearing. e) The Kulyab Zone with the commercial oil potential in the Senonian-Paleocene deposits; (in the USSR). There are oil indications in the Oligocene-Neogene deposits of the Badakhshan Foredeep. The complex oil and gas traps within the recognized oil and gas-bearing zones, as well as probably prevailing tectonically shielded small pools were formed by the extensive faulting in the Afghanistan-South Tadjikistan basin.

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The Tirpul potentially oil and gas-bearing basin The Tirpul potentially oil and gas-bearing basin is outlined in the western part of the Herat Alpine Trough. In Afghanistan there is probably only the eastern segment of the basin with a related system of Alpine troughs of the Turkmenian-Harasan Folded Region extending far westwards. The basement of the Tirpul potentially oil and gas-bearing basin is composed of different stratigraphic units ranging in age from Proterozoic through Cretaceous. The sedimentary units of the basin comprise the Eocene marine terrigenous flysch-like deposits (more than 2,000 m thick) and the Oligocene-Neogene red molasse (up to 4,000 m thick). The information on oil and gas potential of the Tirpul oil and gas-bearing basin is limited to the description of a dense, oxidized oil show near Tirpul. The indirect indication of a possible oil and gas potential is a considerable thickness of the unmetamorphosed deposits with widespread subaqueous formations. The authigenic pyrite nodules found in the Cretaceous Paleocene and Eocene deposits suggest that the latter were formed in a reduction environment. The waters in Neogene deposits are mineralized, thus suggesting a certain hydrogeological sealing of the complex. Oil and gas in the basin may be expected from the Eocene and Oligocene sedimentary units. The systematic geological and geophysical exploration of the Tirpul basin started in 1975. The recognition of several zones with a possible oil and gas potential in the Tirpul basin was dictated by its strong structural differentiation. The lithologically or tectonically shielded small oil traps are most probable there. The South-Afghanistan potentially oil-and gas-bearing basin The South-Afghanistan potentially oil-and gas-bearing basin is recognized in the Neogene Seystan Depression within South Afghanistan. The depression boundaries suggest that the basement of the basin comprises all the Phanerozoic units. No reliable information as to the thickness of the sedimentary formations infilling the depression is available. The sedimentary cover structures vary at the periphery of the basin. Gentle quasi-cratonic brachy-structures (the Helmand Zone) occur along with the intensely tectonized areas (the Argandab, Kandahar and Tirin zones). The mode of occurrence of the Neogene deposits overlain by the Quaternary sediments has been studied inadequately. The lithological features of the sedimentary complexes suggest that they contain the reservoir and cap rocks. The marine sedimentation which prevailed at different stages of the geological history of the region (except for the Recent stage) is also a favourable factor for a positive evaluation of oil and gas potentialities. One of the negative factors is a possible presence in the basin of stratigraphic breaks established within the adjacent areas of the Helmand-Argandab Uplift resulting in the opening of anticlines. In addition, a parageosynclinal nature of the adjacent Farah Rod Trough restricts the basin potentialities in hydrocarbon accumulation. The active tectonic evolution of the basin and its adjacent structures during the Alpine cycle followed by an intensive block movement favoured the differentiation of the pools in the Paleozoic and Mesozoic sedimentary complexes prior to the initial formational stages of the Seystan Neogene-Quaternary Depression. Proceeding from the above, the oil and gas potential of the South Afghanistan possibly oil-and gas-bearing basin should be considered restricted. The Katawaz potentially oil and gas-bearing basin The Katawaz potentially oil and gas-bearing basin is recognized within the Katawaz Alpine Trough. The boundaries of the basin in Afghanistan are the folded structure of the Dari Rod Trough and the Splinghar Fault Block. The trough is infilled with Paleogene flysch deposits and the Neogene-Quaternary coarse terrigenous molasse overlying them unconformably. The structure of the basin is very complex. The Paleogene flysch deposits proved to be productive west of the Indus River may appear to be an oil and gasgenerating unit. Reservoir properties of the sedimentary units of the basin have not been studied. The strong dislocation of the complex, especially its anticlinal zones, suggests that it is unlikely that traps of significance should form there.

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Chapter 6 COAL POTENTIAL

At present, nine coal fields and more than 42 coal occurrences are known in Afghanistan. Most of the coal deposits and occurrences are found in the north of the country. The promising coal-bearing area occupies about 35,000 square kilometres extending as a discontinuous belt for more than 700 kilometres from the Darrahe-i-Farkhar River in the east to Kotal-i-Sabzak Pass in the west. The initial evidence of coal occurrences from Northern Afghanistan was obtained by G. Griesbach (58-61), H.H. Hayden (66), W.P. West (156) and others. The reports, however, concerned only some scattered local areas and did not consider the scope of the coal content in the region as a whole. In 1963-1965 the Soviet geologists K.Ya. Mikhailov, V.P. Kolchanov, V.V. Kulakov, B.P. Pashkov and others carried out a geological survey on a scale of 1:200,000 in Northern Afghanistan. As a result of the survey the area of coal bearing formations was studied and the North Afghanistan Coal Basin was recognized.

The North Afghanistan Coal Basin

The North Afghanistan Coal Basin is a part of the Middle Asia Coal Province. It occurs in the south of the North Afghanistan Platform. The major epoch of coal accumulation coincided with the period of transition from geosyncline to platform conditions, when the area of the basin was not sufficiently consolidated, and was subjected to severe tectonic movements. This activity influenced the lithology and facies of the coal bearing formations causing their intense disturbance. The economic coal beds are found in various horizons of the Lower-Middle Jurassic section complex in structure and which is composed of different continental deposits, 60 to 2,101 m thick. In addition, there are coal occurrences in the Lower Carboniferous and Upper Triassic which are of no practical importance. The Lower-Middle Jurassic coal bearing deposits are alluvial-swamp, swamp-lacustrine, deltaic and swamp facies. Lithologically, these are sandstone, siltstones, argillites, siltstones, conglomerates, gravelstones, carbonaceous argillites and generally limnic coals. The number of coal seams within different deposits and occurrences varies from 1-2 to 40-45. They are normally of a complex structure and exhibit a highly variable thickness (from tens of centimetres to 4-10 meters). Due to the genetic and tectonic factors, the structural pattern of the coal seams is very complex. By the position in the general structural framework of the region and thickness of the coal measures, by the lithological facies rock-types and their disturbance, by the types of coals and grade of their metamorphism, the North Afghanistan Basin is classified as a basin of the transitional type, and by the degree of exposure of coal formations, as a partly exposed basin. Geographically, the basin can be subdivided into five coal bearing districts (from west to east); Sabzak, Darrah-i-Suf, Sayghan-Eshpushta, Pule Khumri and Narin-Chal-Nampa-kab. Each district is characterized by its own geology and specific conditions of sedimentation and coal accumulation. The districts differ also in the horizontal extent of coal-bearing formation: in the number of coal beds, in the speculalive and proved reserves, and consequently, in their economic value (Table 6).

The Sabzak coal-bearing district The Sabzak coal-bearing district lies in the western part of the North Afghanistan Basin, in the Herat Province. The district has the smallest number of coal fields known so far. It comprises the Majit-i-Chobi coal deposit with the Middle Jurassic productive unit. The initial reconnaissance work was undertaken in the Sabzak district by C. Griesbach (58-61). Latter, the area was studied by S. Popol and S. Tromp (119). The best knowledge of the area was obtained from the geological survey on a scale of 1:200,000 carried out in 1963-1964 (102) and from the preliminary exploration of the Majit-i-Chobi coal deposit performed in 1966. The estimations of the category C1 + C2 coal reserves yielded the figure of 9.5 million tonnes, the category C1 making up 4.9 million tonnes. The

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Majit-i-Chobi deposit is of great importance for the industrial development of the Herat Province, since it is the only source of coal for generation of power. The coals of the Majit-i-Chobi deposit were accumulated in an intermontane depression. The depression was subjected to intense tectonic movements. As a result, the thickness and facies of the coal-bearing deposits, as well as the number and thicknesses of the coal seams are extremely variable. During formation of the coal bearing unit the depression basement underwent differential tectonic movements. The south-western part, known for the greatest thickness of the coal formation (155 to 157 metres), suffered the greatest subsidence in Middle Jurassic time. In the north-east, where the Middle Coal Reserves at the Main Coal Deposits and Occurrences of the North Afghanistan Basin Jurassic deposits are only 60 to 65 meters thick, the subsidence was less significant. Relative subsidence of different portions of the depression basement varied in the course of time. Due to variation in the tectonic movements, some facies (alluvial-fan, swamp, lacustrine and others) migrated from one side of the depression to another thus producing splitting and pinching out of the coal formations and coal beds rapidly varying in thickness. The section at the Majit-i-Chobi deposit starts with a basal layer of old alluvial-fan deposits such as gravelstones and conglomerates. The thickness of this basal layer, resting disconformably and with an angular unconformity on the Lower Triassic deposits, decreases inwards (from 17.5 meters to zero). This layer is overlain by regularly interbedded sandstones, siltstones and argillites containing 17 coal seams, out of which only four have a workable thickness (more than 0.6 meters). All the seams vary in thickness (0.080.4 m to 1.93 m) and structure. Three lower workable seams belong to the same coal deposit which has been located in an unsplit state in a small locality to the south-east of the coal field. Structurally the Majit-i-Chobi deposit is situated in the Northern limb of a large anticline. Its coal bearing unit occurs as a gentle (within 20) monocline, disturbed locally by minor folds and normal faults. Thus, the coal seams are classified as gently dipping ones. The Majit-i-Chobi coals are high-sulphur, humic coals with the ash content ranging from 5.5 to 38.6. By the grade of metamorphism, the coals are transitional between the medium- and highly metamorphosed gas coals.

The Darrah-i-Suf coal district The Darrah-i-Suf coal district lies in the eastern part of the North Afghanistan Basin including the southern part of the Samangan Province and the east of the Balkh Province. The district comprises more than 14 significant coal deposits and occurrences, known in the north of the country. These are the Shabbashak, Darwaza, Lela, Dahane Tor, Sare Asya, Qaramqol, Western Garmak, and others. The geology of the area was sporadically studied by Abdul Khan (1), W.P. West (156) and other investigators. In 1963-1965 the area was surveyed on a scale of 1:200,000 (103) and is regarded as highly promising for coal. A preliminary exploration of the Shabbashak (8) and Sare Asya (88) deposits, as well as prospecting and revision within the Lela and Darwaza fields and some other coal occurrences (104) was conducted in 19631967 with the technical assistance of the USSR. The total coal reserves were estimated to be 101.8 million tonnes which account for approximately 81 per cent of the coal known in the country. The B + C1 categories coal reserves approximate 21.8 millions tonnes, including 9.5 million tonnes of coking coal. The coal seams in the Darrah-i-Suf district occur in patches exposed within the erosion windows in the Cretaceous-Paleogene deposits. These outcrops were traced from Awharag to Balkhob for a distance of 70-75 kilometres. Geographically, the coal deposits and occurrences of the district can be sub-divided into the groups. The largest group known in the north-west of the district included Shabbashak, Darwaza, Lela, Dakhane Tor coal deposits and some coal occurrences found in the immediate proximity. The Sare Asya deposit and Kotal-iSobzak and Awharag occurrences are found in the Jurassic deposits in the south-east of the district. It should be noted that the boundaries between the deposits and occurrences are generally uncertain, and the coal formation of one deposit is often an extension of the same age coal formation of another. The coal-bearing unit, reaching 1,883 meters in thickness in the Darrah-i-Suf area, was accumulated in a relatively large erosion-tectonic depression (possibly in several isolated depressions). The unit is notable for

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the presence of a large number (about 50) of coal seams Irregularly distributed in various horizons of the unit. During Early Jurassic time (103) coal accumulated in scattered patches, the richest of them being in Shabbashak, Darwaza and Qaramqol. The coal bearing formation includes five workable seams from 0.8 to 5.2 meters in thickness (Table 7). The seams are of complex structure (Shabbashak, Darwaza) with the exception of the Qaramqol occurrence. The Lower Jurassic coals die out westwards, northwards and south-eastwards. No workable seams have been found in the northern and north-eastern parts of the Shabbashak area (Shabbashak and Northern Regbolak localities). At Dakhane Tor, the Lower Jurassic coal occurs in two workable structurally complex seams (1.37 and 1.81 m in thickness). Only one workable seam has been found at the Lela deposit. The coal-tobarren rock ratio for the Lower Triassic section varies from 0.2 at Dahane Tor to 2.0% at Shabbashak. During Aalenian-Bajocian time the process of coal accumulation spread apparently throughout the Darrah-i-Suf coal district. The deposits of this period are most abundant in coal. The coal-to-barren rock ratio of the Aalenian Bajocian formation reaches 6.0% at Shabbashak and 9.0% at Sare Asya. The formation includes from 5 (at Shabbashak) to 15 (at Lela) workable coal beds of complex structure and relatively uniform thickness. The coal content decreases to the south of Sare Asya. The coal-to-barren rock ratio for the Awkhorag beds is 0.5%. The decrease of coal content is noted in the northern flank of the Shabbashak deposit (Northern Shabbashak locality). The area between Shabbashak and Sare Asya which extends for about 12 kilometres is of particular commercial interest as it is most promising as regards the new coal-bearing fields. Coal beds of workable thickness may be found beneath the Cretaceous-Paleogene deposits as evidenced by some geological data, provided the area of coal accumulation was continuous in Aslenian Bajocian time. The Bajocian-Bathonian period of coal accumulation was marked by a reduction of peat bog areas. The Bajocian Bathonian commercial coals occur only in Shabbashak and Darwaza where the sequence comprises 5-7 workable seams of complex structure and relatively uniform or variable thickness. This part of the section is absolutely barren at the Lela deposit and contains thin interlayers of coal in Sare Asya. The coal-bearing strata of the area are disturbed. The Jurassic beds are crumpled into rather large folds of an approximately east-western strike with the limbs dipping at 30 to 60. The limbs of the major structures are distorted by minor folds of the flexure bend type and frequently faulted, the fault planes dipping north at 50 to 70. Transverse faults are uncommon. In the general structural pattern the coal deposits are commonly confined to anticlines or their limbs (Dakhane Tor, Lela, Darwaza, Sare Asya, etc.). Occasionally they occur in synclines (Shabbashak). The Darrah-i-Suf coals differ in the grade of metamorphism. The lowest grade of metamorphism is characteristic of the Sare Tor occurrence enclosing highly metamorphosed long-flame coals. The coal from Regbolak near the northern flank of the Shabbashak field is the most metamorphosed. It is intermediate between highly metamorphosed coals and slightly fat coals. It should be noted that the variation in the coal metamorphism agrees with the Hilt's law. It is most pronounced in the Shabbashak coal. There, the stratigraphically deeper coals are higher in carbon (78 to 84%), in calorific value (7.620 to 8,250 Cal/kg) and in coking capacity, varying from long-flame to gas coals. There is also a direct relationship between the coal metamorphism and hypsometric depth of coal occurrence. As seen from Table 8, the coals in the district are of a high calorific value (7,339 to 8,250 Cal/kg), a moderate, occasionally high or low, dressability and a low to high ash content (3.5 up to 47.5%). They can be used mostly for power generation. Coals from some of the deposits (Shabbashak, Darwaza and Dakhane Tor) have a good caking capacity and may be used in coking as mixture components or in the direct production of coke for small blast furnaces. The commercial potential of the Darrah-i-Suf district is high. The significant reserves of high-quality coal, which can be increased, and the convenient location of the coal deposits facilitating the transportation problem can make the district the main centre of coal production in Afghanistan.

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The Sayghan-Eshpushta coal district The Sayghan-Eshpushta coal district is situated in the south-east of Darrah-i-Suf (the south of the Baghlan Province and the east of the Bamyan Province). It comprises the Eshpushta and Southern Eshpushta coal deposits and a number of commercially unimportant coal occurrences such as Barfak, Nalak, Estona, AmirAmad, Kahmard and Mazarqul. The geology of the district was studied by W.P. West (156) and other investigators. In 1963-1965 the area was covered by a geological survey on a scale of 1:200,000 conducted with the participation of Soviet geologists [103]. The bulk of the coals found in the district occur at the Eshpushta deposit which is now under exploration. Coal accumulation in the Sayghan-Eshpushta area occurred under extremely unfavourable conditions. A narrow erosion-tectonic basin existing there since the Early Jurassic was rapidly filled with coarse material chiefly of the alluvial and alluvial-fan facies. Favourable conditions for the accumulation of mother peat bogs occurred occasionally for short periods in the Middle Jurassic. Thus, the Jurassic strata in the SayghanEshpushta district, resting with an angular unconformity on the Triassic beds, and having substantial thickness (1,166 to 1,529 meters), consist predominantly of conglomerates and coarse-grained sandstones and contain very little coal. Coal is found in the middle Jurassic rocks, the coal-to-barren rock ratio being within 0.8%. In the Eshpushta area Middle Jurassic sequence most abundant in coal encloses five structurally complex coal seams ranging in thickness from 0.1 to 3.5 meters. A workable thickness of 1.49 and 3.5 meters is found in two seams only. West and east of the Eshpushta mine the seams split and gradually thin out. In the eastern direction, this is well seen in the Middle Jurassic section at the Southern Eshpushta deposit and Barfak occurrence, where the coal thickness decreases down to 0.2 - 0.5 and 0.15 - 0.35 m, respectively; in the west, Kahmard and Muzarqul occurrences, the coal seams are 1-6 centimetres to 0.45 meters thick. The coal formation of the Eshpushta deposit enclosing workable coal seams is only two kilometres in the strike length being out off by a thrust fault in the north-west. Structurally, the Eshpushta deposit is restricted to a monocline dipping north-west at 35 - 55. The coal in the deposit is sheared, flaggy and crumbles to dust when mined. The ash content is normally low (2.5 to 9.5 per cent) but increases sharply up to 28.7 - 41.83 per cent) in places where the seams bifurcate. Moisture content ranges from 2.15 to 2.84% and volatiles from 28.16 to 33.78%. The coal is non-coking and may be used as a fuel for power stations. It is a gas coal of a low and intermediate grade of metamorphism. Since the coal seams are not extensive in area, the reserves of the Eshpushta deposit are highly restricted and make up not more than 2.5 million tonnes (103). No workable coal is expected from other areas of the Seyghan-Eshpushta district. It is unlikely that commercial coal deposits will be discovered in the district.

The Pule-Khumri coal district The Pule-Khumri coal district is situated in the Baghlan Province. The main coal deposits and occurrences of the district are Karkar, Dodkash, Western Dodkash, Eastern Sangach and Western Sangach. Since 1936, the area has been studied by W. West (156) G. Gabert (54), K.Ya. Mikhailov (103) and other geologists. In 1974-1976, prospecting and revision work was undertaken in the Karkar Dodkash Area. As a result, the speculative reserves at the Dodkash deposit and the areas adjacent to Dodkash and Karkar were estimated to be about 4 million tonnes. The Pule-Khumri coal district is now the most developed one in the North Afghanistan Basin. The Karkar and Dodkash deposits are under mining. The conditions favourable for the formation of mother peat bogs existed during the later stages of the Early Jurassic. These conditions existed intermittently almost to the end of the Middle Jurassic to be followed by marine transgression which arrested the process of coal accumulation. By the coal content, lithology, facies and environment, the coal-bearing sequence from the Pule-Khumri area can be subdivided into two units: 1) the Lower-Middle Jurassic rhythmical essentially

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alluvial beds 390 to 450 meters thick, and 2) the Bathonian-unit of silty-clayey paralic deposits from 22 to 44 meters thick The productive units of the Jurassic sequence are separated by a thick (up to 200 meters) rudaceous conglomerate and breccian horizon of Bathonian age. The lower coal-bearing unit comprises about 23 coal seams and interlayers which are complex in structure, low and variable in thickness (0.05 - 0.1 to 1.2 meters), and high in ash content (28.3 up to 50%). This part of the Jurassic sequence includes the Western Dodkash and Western Sangach coal occurrences. The Bathonian coal bearing formation contains one coal seam of a workable thickness. It is complex in structure and variable in thickness (from tens of centimetres to 6-10 meters). The variations in thickness are due to tectonic factors which were responsible for the lit-par-lit migration of the coal matter, and hence for the pinches and swells. The seam is made up of heavily sheared semi-lustrous, occasionally semi-dull noncoking gas coal. The ash content varies from 9.0 to 28.1% (Table 10). This portion of the Jurassic sequence includes the Karkar and Dodkash coal deposits and Eastern Sangach occurrence. Structurally, these occur in the eastern limb of a large anticline complicated by flexures and faults. The limb normally dips gently (15 25) to the east. The Karkar and Dodkash deposits and Eastern Sangach occurrence lie in the same area of the Bathonian coal measures. The potential of the area is limited because the coal bearing formations south of Karkar are faciesly thinning out to become unworkable at the Eastern Sangach occurrence. North of Karkar the coal measures are cut off by a thrust fault. The economic value of the Pule Khumri district is low, since an increase of the reserves seems unlikely.

The Narin-Chal-Namakab coal district The Narin-Chal-Namakab coal district is situated in the extreme north-east of the North Afghanistan Basin. It comprises more than 16 coal occurrences which have not been studied adequately. Only the Darrah-iColon occurrence was subjected to a prospecting and evaluation performed in 1966 (94). As a result, the coal content was found to be extremely low. Other occurrences of the district were studied in the course of geological survey at a scale of 1:200,000 (103). Some of them (Chal, Zamburak and Bazarak) have only been traversed by prospecting routes (88). The Narin-Chal-Namakab district differs from the other coal bearing areas of the North Afghanistan Basin in the facies and geotectonic environment of coal accumulation. During Early Jurassic time a foredeep began to form in the area. The south-western end of the foredeep extended to the Pule Khumri area, where the LowerMiddle Jurassic sequence is up to 2,101 meters thick. The tectonic activity in this district was accompanied by intense igneous activity which interrupted coal accumulation. As a result, the Lower Jurassic coal-bearing unit includes terrigenous material together with tuff, tuff sandstones, tuff lavas and discordant dykes and stocks of basic and intermediate rocks. In the Middle Jurassic epoch the igneous activity ceased. The Middle Jurassic section is made up exclusively of terrigenous material. The subsequent periods were marked by a further evolution of the foredeep and accumulation of thick chemogenic, organogenous and terrigenous deposits. As a result, the coal bearing beds were lowered to a considerable depth and later suffered intense folding. Such a geologic history of the area is responsible for its complex structure, facies of the deposits, type, distribution and metamorphism of coals. The Narin-Chal-Namakab coal occurrences are characterized by tight folding. The folds are frequently isoclinal and overturned (Chal-Namakab and other occurrence) being complicated by numerous faults. The coal seams dip at steep (up to 60-80) angles and are often crumpled into small folds with amplitudes of hundreds and even tens of meters (Bazarak occurrence). The coal formations of the district normally contain a small number of coal seams (Table 11), varying from one (at Namakab and Kishaktan) to eight (at Syandara). The seams are complex in structure and variable in thickness. They consist of humic heavily metamorphosed coal ranging in rank from fat to lean. A high grade of coal metamorphism in the Narin-Chal-Namakab district can be accounted for by a combination of factors

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caused by regional metamorphism, dynamometamorphism and, to a great extent, by contact and thermal metamorphism. In spite of the favourable petrographic composition and high rank of the coals in some of the occurrences, most of the coals are of poor coking capacity and can be hardly used for the production of metallurgic coke, if not properly mixed. The exception is the Bazarak coal, whose metamorphism was caused by regional factors. This coal is likely to be utilized for coking. Within the Bazarak occurrence four structurally complex steeply dipping coal seams crop out. Their workable thicknesses range from 1.03 to 2.05 meters. They are crumpled into small folds complicated by faults. The coal is coking high in ash content (14.2 to 51.5 per cent) (Table 12). Coals from other localities may by used only as fuel. They are high in ash content and hard to dress. The data available (88,103) indicate that the coal deposits in the Narin-Chal-Namakab district are small in area. The speculative reserves in some of them have been estimated to amount to 2 million tonnes (at Kishaktan) and 5 million tonnes (at Namakab). The ultimate value of the Narin-Chal-Namakab coal district is uncertain because the district has been poorly studied so far. The presence of heavily metamorphosed coals, some of which are coking coals, makes the area economically promising. However, the complex structure of the area and poor communications make the industrial development difficult. Apart from the North Afghanistan coal deposits, no economic concentrations of coal have been found in Afghanistan. Occasional scattered occurrences of lignite and coal found in the south-east (Khost, Gardez and Gazni areas) are known as outcrops of thin coal seams (tens of centimetres). As reported by the geologists who visited the areas, they are of no economic value (119 and others). The reconnaissance traversing performed by the Soviet geologists I.Y. Ksenofontov and V.N. Nesterov in 1967 in the south of the country did not reveal coal-bearing rocks. The investigators concluded that the geological environment in the south of Afghanistan was unfavourable for coal accumulation, and economic coals are unlikely to be found there. Thus, the bulk of the coal reserves available in Afghanistan are concentrated in the northern part of the country known as the North Afghanistan Coal Basin in which the Darrah-i-Suf coal district is of particular value. This district is recommended as a first-priority target in future coal exploration.

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Chapter 7 HYDROGEOLOGY OF AFGHANISTAN

Surface-water resources are abundant and there is no acute water deficit in the mountain area of the country; however, on the foothills and on the plains the population starts using ground-water to irrigate the main arable lands. Ground water if the principal water source in the northern and southern parts of the country and in economically developing areas where surface-water supplies are insufficient. Ground water reservoirs are tapped there by hundreds of drilling wells and thousands of karizes and wells dug in the course of time. The estimation on fresh water potential is of great practical significance in the areas with developing industry and growing cities under arid climate conditions responsible for a negative water budget, with an annual evaporation from water surface over 2,000 mm and a maximum annual precipitation of a little over 1,000 mm (in the mountain areas of the country). The natural conditions and geological structure are different in many regions of Afghanistan. A wide range of climatic conditions (from an Arctic climate in the mountains to a desert one in the north and south) and complicated geology and tectonics are responsible for the diverse modes of formation of ground water resources and chemical composition of the water in different regions. A structural-geological principle has been employed in the hydrogeological zoning of Afghanistan. Two types of hydrogeological structures - artesian basins, structures with prevailing occurrence of confined ground water, and hydrogeological massifs, structures with predominant occurrence of fracture-type water, have been distinguished. A system of artesian basins interconnected to a certain extent and subordinate fracture-water massifs constitute an artesian region, and a system of hydrogeological massifs and intermontane artesian basins composes a hydrogeological folded region. In addition, intermediate structures have been recognized. These are subartesian basins confined to major tectonically complicated troughs without distinct boundaries of a layered structure, having both stratal and stratal fracture waters. Superimposed basins have been distinguished in areas consisting of young volcanics. These basins may contain vein-type water primarily in the upper horizons, and stratal and fracture-type waters in the lower ones. Based on the above principles, three regions - the North Afghanistan Artesian Region, Central Afghanistan Hydrogeological Folded Region, and South Afghanistan Artesian Region - have been distinguished as major hydrogeological provinces of Afghanistan (Fig.13). The North Afghanistan Artesian Region The North Afghanistan Artesian Region is located in the north of the country and belongs to the Amu-Darya River's drainage area. Its boundaries coincide with those of the North Afghanistan Platform which is an extension (southern termination) of the Amu-Darya and the South Tajikistan artesian basins located in the USSR. The region was included into the Upper Amu Darya Artesian Basin. The North Afghanistan Artesian Region consists of a system of artesian basins with subordinate fracture-karst water basins and hydrogeological massifs, which are the areas of recharge for the artesian basins. The Kulyab-Darya-i-Kokcha Artesian Basin The Kulyab-Darya-i-Kokcha Artesian Basin (I3) [Footnote: * The Roman numerals denote an artesian region and the Arabic ones indicate an artesian basin, a hydrogeological massif, a superimposed basin and other units in Fig.13]. is the thickest basin of this kind. Its cover is composed of Neogene-Quaternary sediments having a total thickness of about 13,000 m. To the west of the basin there is the Qunduz Artesian Basin (I2) which has undergone subsidence with an amplitude of up to 7,000 m in Neogene time. Some uplifted blocks are observed there against the background of general subsidence. The Mazare Sharif Arsian Basin (I1 ) located to the west is bounded on the south by a system of Koh-i-Albura Mormul anticlines. It is characterized by a deep (more than 5,000 m) subsidence of the folded basement, overlain by a thick sedimentary sequence. The Sheberghan Artesian Basin The Sheberghan Artesian Basin (I4) is bounded on the north by a system of Koh-i-Alburs-Mormul anticlines as well as by outcrops of Cretaceous-Paleogene carbonate rocks on the east and south. The folded basement complex of the platform is exposed in numerous out-crops. This complex consists mainly of Triassic 70

terrigenous rocks, except for the Balkhob Maasif (I10) built of Paleozoic volcanic and carbonate-terrigenous rocks. The platform cover starts there with Jurassic coal-bearing deposits Higher in the section, the Cretaceous Paleocene rocks, overlying strata of different age form the Shashan (I9) and Maymana (I8) fracture karst water basins. The thickness of the sedimentary cover, according to drilling and geophysical data, is from 2,000 to 3,000 m. In the south-west end of the North Afghanistan Platform, the Rode MarghabHari Rod Fault Block is located. This block includes the Khushk Artesian Basin (I6) and the Murghab fracture karst water basin (I7) bounded by the arcuate Tir Bande Turkestan Fault on the north and east. The sedimentary cover is essentially flatlying there and is composed of Cretaceous-Paleocene carbonate-terrigenous rocks 1,000 to 1,500 m thick. To the north-west of the Qala-i-Naw Block there is the Tir Bande Turkestan Hydrogeological Massif (I5), composed mainly of Triassic rocks, which are severely bent into various folds. The surrounding CretaceousPaleocene carbonate rocks are in a fault contact with the massif. The Central Afghanistan Hydrogeological Folded Region The central Afghanistan Hydrological Folded Region extends from west to north-east for about 1,500 km. and occupies the whole of the interior mountain part of the country. This region comprises the Amu-Darya basin in the north-east, the Indus basin in the east, and the basin of drainless lakes in Southern and SouthWest Afghanistan. It is an extension of the Southern Tajik system of artesian basins and hydrogeological massifs in the north-east and an extension of the Pamir hydrogeological folded region of the USSR, in the Wakhan area. On the east, the region crosses the State frontier; on the north and south, it is bounded by the North and South Afghanistan artesian regions, respectively; and on the west, it enters Iran. Structurally, this region comprises the southern part of the North Afghanistan Platform, the AfghanistanNorth Pamir and the Afghanistan-South Pamir folded regions, the Nurestan-Pamir and the northern part of the South Afghanistan Median Mass. Within the region, the superimposed troughs are alternating with heterogenous folded complexes of different ages composing the base of the region. Thus, hydrogeological massifs and artesian basins can be distinguished in this area. The Hendukush - Badakhshan Hydogeologica1 Massif The Hendukush - Badakhshan Hydogeologica1 Massif (II1) is in the north-east of the country and includes folded regions of different ages. It is bounded on the north-west by the North Afghanistan Artesian Region, and on the south-east by the Central Badakhshan, Sarobay, and Konar faults. The massif is mainly built up of variably metamorphosed Precambrian, Paleozoic and Mesozoic stratified rocks out by intrusions of different ages. The Hari Rod Hydrogeological Massif The Hari Rod Hydrogeological Massif (II2) is located in Central Afghanistan stretching from east to west as a narrow belt. The massif is bounded by the North Afghanistan Artesian Region on the north and by the Garkhanaw Fault, on the south. The massif is composed of various Precambrian, Paleozoic, Mesozoic and Cenozoic rocks. The Upper Helmand Hydrogeological Massif The Upper Helmand Hydrogeological Massif (II3) comprises the north-eastern segment of South Afghanistan, being bounded by the Central Badakhshan, Sarobay and Konar faults on the north, the South Afghanistan Artesian Region on the south-east, the Dashte Nawer superimposed and fracture-karst water basins on the south, and the Helmand Fault on the north-west. The massif is made up of Proterozoic, Paleozoic and Mesozoic dislocated rocks cut by intrusions of different ages. The Argandab Hydrogeological Massif The Argandab Hydrogeological Massif (II11) is situated in the south-eastern part of the Helmand-Argandab Uplift and is bounded by the Mukur-Tarnak Rode Fault on the south-east and a fault system on the northwest. The massif comprises Proterozoic metamorphics, Palaeozoic-Mesozoic sedimentary formations, and intrusive rocks of various ages.

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The Middle Helmand (II6) and Tirin-Rod (II7) fracture-karst water basins The Middle Helmand (II6) and Tirin-Rod (II7) fracture-karst water basins occupy the axial and the northwestern parts of the Helmand-Argandab Uplift (Helmand and Tirin-Rod zones), which are mainly composed of carbonate rocks of Permian and Triassic-Jurassic ages. The Farah Rod Subartesian Basin The Farah Rod Subartesian Basin (II5) is confined to the Farah Trough, bounded by the Qarghanaw Fault on the north, the South Afghanistan Artesian Region on the south, and the Helmand Fault on the south-east. The basin is mainly filled with Upper Jurassic and Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous rocks. The Oruzgan Subartesian Basin The Oruzgan Subartesian Basin (II10), made up of Upper Paleozoic-Mesozoic rocks is located to the south-east. The Adraskan (II4), Tawdanak (II9) and Dashte Nawer (II8) superimposed basins The Adraskan (II4), Tawdanak (II9) and Dashte Nawer (II8) superimposed basins are in the western and eastern segments of South Afghanistan and are composed of Paleogene terrigenous-volcanic rocks and Lower Quarternary volcanics, respectively. The South Afghanistan Artesian Region The South Afghanistan Artesian Region stretches from east to west for over 1,000 km. The region comprises the Indus River Basin in the east and the basin of drainless lakes of South Afghanistan in the rest of the area. Structurally, the region covers the southern part of the South Afghanistan Median Mass, the Katawaz geosynclinal trough of Alpine age, and the Neogene depression of Seystan, the largest in Afghanistan. In the north the region borders on the Central Afghanistan Hydrogeological Folded Region. In the west, south and east it is limited by the state frontier. The natural boundaries of the region lie outside Afghanistan. The South Afghanistan Artesian Region has a complex structure with Paleozoic-Mesozoic carbonateterrigenous rocks at thebase. Paleogene flysch terrigenous rocks are widely spread in the Katawaz Trough, and the Seystan Depression is filled with coarse molasse of Neogene-Quaternary age. The Katawaz Artesian Basin The Katawaz Artesian Basin (III1), located in the north-east of the region is a geosynclinal trough of the same name filled with 6,000 m thick flysch terrigenous rocks of Paleogene age. The Lower Helmand (III2) and Regestan (III3) artesian basins The Lower Helmand (III2) and Regestan (III3) artesian basins are in the Seystan Depression filled with Neogene deposits overlain by Quaternary formations thickening westward. According to geophysical data the total thickness of loose sediments varies between 1,000 and 3,000 m. The Tarnak (III4) and Chagay (III5) fracture-karst water basins The Tarnak (III4) and Chagay (III5) fracture-karst water basins are the two constituent parts of one tectonic structure- the Dari Rod Trough filled with volcanics and carbonate-terrigenous deposits of Cretaceous and Quaternary ages. As to the characteristics of aquifers and aquifer systems of the above hydrogeological regions, it should be stressed that the ground waters of different areas of Afghanistan have been studied irregularly. The North Afghanistan Artesian Region has been studied best, its greater part being covered by a 1:500,000 hydrogeological survey (62). In addition, deep aquifers were investigated in the course of drilling for oil and gas (62). The main portion of the South Afghanistan Artesian Region from the country's southern border to lat. 32 has also been covered by a 1:500,000 hydrogeological survey (95). For the rest of Afghanistan,

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however, only fragmentary information is available on the uppermost aquifers and aquifer systems encountered in prospecting and productive water wells at a depth only slightly exceeding 100 m.

I. The North Afghanistan Artesian Region

The North Afghanistan Artesian Region comprises areas with desert, continental, and mountainous climate. The minimum elevations, 258 m above the sea level, are in the Amu-Darya Valley. The annual precipitation does not exceed 100 mm on the plains and amounts to 400 mm or more in the mountains. The annual evaporation is of the order of 2,000 mm. The mountain chains of Paropamiz, Firozkoh, Western Hendukush and North-Western Badakhshan are the southern boundary of the region. On the north and west the region is open to the Amu-Darya River Valley. Artesian basins with stratal water predominate in the region, namely in its plain area. The fracture-karst water basins and hydrogeological massifs located south of these artesian basins store fracture water and are external recharge areas of the artesian basins. The characteristics of the aquifers and aquifer systems distinguished in the North Afghanistan Artesian Region as a whole are given below. The Quaternary aquifer system The Quaternary aquifer system is spread all over the region, where water-bearing rocks are travertine, siltstones, sandstones, conglomerates, gravelstones, pebblestones, sands, sandy loams, loams, and loess-like loams. The aquifer system comprises Recent Quaternary alluvial, eolian, loess-like, alluvial-alluvial-fan and Lower Quaternary aquifers. 1. An alluvial aquifer 1. An alluvial aquifer composed of Recent Quaternary sediments occurs in river valleys and deeply incised channels of intermittent streams. The aquifer is 20 m thick in the lower Kushk Valley, which is 1.5 - 2 km. wide. In the Turgundi area, ground water is tapped by a drilling well at a depth of 3 m. There, the thickness of the aquifer is 6 m and the specific yield is 5.8 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate-chloride type and contains 1.5 g of dissolved solids per liter. Near Kushk-i-Khuna, ground water is discharged as springs, with a yield of 0.2 l/s, from coarse gravels. The water is of the sulphate-bicarbonate-sodium-magnesium type, its dissolved-solid content is 0.5 g/l and temperature 21C. On the valley sides the dissolved-solids content increases up to 1.0-3.1 g/l, and the water is of the bicarbonate and sulphate-sodium type. The alluvial aquifer occurs only in the lower reaches of the narrow Hurghab Valley. Near Balomurghab locality, ground water is tapped in coarse gravels at a depth of 3.8 m. The water is of the chloride-bicarbonate-magnesium-sodium type, its dissolved-solids content is 0.9 g/l and temperature 16C. The ground water of the Maymana Valley occurs in sand and coarse gravel found at a depth from 3.5 to 67 m. The depth to water table varies between 16.6 and 21.0 m. The specific yield of the wells ranges from 3.5 to 4.0 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonatesulphate-sodium-calcium type; its dissolved-solids content is from 0.7 to 0.9 g/l and temperature from 16 to 17C. A thick alluvial aquifer occurs in the Darrah-i-Siyah Valley up to the latitude of the town of Sheberghan. There, the width of the subsurface stream amounts to 10 km., the aquifer being as thick as 30 m. The water-bearing sand and coarse gravel occur at depths from 17 to 40 m, being overlain by sandy loam lying at the surface. The water is confined; the piezometric surfaces are at depths of 3 to 17 m and specific yields of the wells vary between 2.1 and 3.7 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate- and bicarbonate-sulphatecalcium-sodium and sodium types; its dissolved-solids content ranges from 0.9 to 2.4 g/l. The ground waters are often discharged to the river channel as springs with yields between 0.1 and 8.5 1/s. Upward the valley, the dissolved-solids content diminishes to 0.3 g/l. The alluvial aquifer of the Darrh-i-Siyah Valley is the source of water supply of the Sheberghan and Sar-i-Pul towns as well as gas works. In the Balkh Valley the ground waters occur mainly within the foothills in sand and gravel up to 50 m thick. Near the mountains, the depths to water vary from 17.0 to 59.4 m and from 3.2 to 4.8 m downstream. The specific yields of the wells range from 1.4 to 3.7 1/s. The water near the river bed and in irrigated areas is of the bicarbonate and sulphate-bicarbonate types; its dissolved-solids content is from 0.3 to 1.1 g/l. Toward the foothills, the water is of the sulphate and sulphate-chloride types its dissolved-solids content becomes as high as 2.0 - 5.5 g/l. me water of the alluvial aquifer in the Lower Balkh Valley is used for water supply of Mazare-Sharif and Balkh, a nitrogen fertilizer plant, and a group of interrelated plants in Pul-Imambukri. Further to the north, in the dry Shirin-Tagao Darreh-i-Siyah, and Balkh deltas, water is contained in an 80 m thick sandy-clay unit intercalated with 1.5 to 5 m thick sand. The depth to water varies between 4.5 and 57 m. The specific yields 73

of the wells range from 1.2 to 3.7 1/s; the yield of the dug wells are from 0.1 to 0.7 1/s. The water is mostly of the sulphate-sodium type; its dissolved-solids content varies between 2.9 and 5.5 g/l and often is from 5 to 10 g/l. Small lenses of sulphate and bicarbonate-sulphate-magnesium-calcium waters having the dissolvedsolids content from 1 to 3 g/l were tapped near irrigation canals and river channels. In the Samangan Valley, within the settlement of the same name, an alluvial coarse gravel belt, about 2 km. wide and up to 40 m thick, is overlain by clays and loans 17 to 54 m thick. The coarse gravel rests on Cretaceous Paleocene cavernous limestone and is almost completely grained. The depth to water is 57 m. Ground water is tapped at depths from 28.5 to 36.0 m in the Khulm area, at the mouth of the Samangan River, whose alluvial deposits terminate here as an alluvial fan. The water is of the bicarbonate-chloride-magnesium-sodium and chloridesulphate-sodium-calcium types; its dissolved-solids content varies between 1.1 and 3.9 g/l. The waterbearing alluvium of the Qunduz Valley is composed of gravel and sand, which grade toward the mouth into gravelly sand and sand intercalated with silts and loans having the total thickness of about 100 m. Ground waters emerge on the land surface in the valley and old channels to form lakes and excessively moistened areas. The ground water level occurs at a depth from 0 to 5 m in the flood plain and on the first terrace, and 25 m on the second and third terraces. The ground water is fresh and used for the water supply of Qunduz and Samangan. In the north-east, in the Darya-i-Kokcha and Rustak valleys, water- bearing inequigranular sand with pebbles and boulders and intercalated clays and loans lie on the Neogene clay. The total thickness of the alluvium may reach 65 m. At the confluence of the Darya-i-Kokcha River and the Darya-i-Panj River, the ground water level rises and the water is discharged to the river channel as springs with a yield of 0.1 to 4 l/s. The depth to ground water on the flood-plain and the first terrace amounts to 3 m in places 10-15 m. The dissolved-solids content mostly ranges from 0.3 to 1 g/l and rarely is as high as 1.5 g/l; the temperature is from 17 to 18C. In the Amu-Darya and Darya-i Panj valleys, water is associated with locally distributed gravelly sand, 45 to 70 m thick. The depth to the ground water varies between 0 and 5 m on the floodplain and the first terrace and 10-15 m on the second terrace. The ground waters discharged on the flood plain form lakes, swamps, and ascension springs in the river channel. In Khalif, a well drilled through 61 m of medium-grained sand has the ground-water level at a depth of 5.2 m. The specific yield is 3.4 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate-chloride-sodium-calcium type, its dissolved-solids content being of 0.4 g/l and temperature 18C. 2. The eolian aquifer 2. The eolian aquifer occurs in the north of the region as a discontinuous 8 km.-wide band. The depth to the ground water in areas between sand dunes ranges from 0.5 to 9 m. The yield of dug wells is from 0.2 to 0.3 l/s. The water is of the chloride-sodium of sulphate-sodium types; its dissolved-solids content is as high as 3 g/l. Intensive evaporation forms ground waters with various dissolved-solids contents depending on the depth to the water level. The water from two adjacent dug wells has the dissolved-solids content of 0.6 g/l, the depth to water being 2.9 m, and 3 g/l with a static water level it 0.2 m of depth, respectively. Depending on the season of the year, the water temperature varies between 15 and 23C. 3. The aquifer composed of loess-like sediments 3. The aquifer composed of loess-like sediments occurs in the area transitional from plain to mountains, extending from west of the Balkh Valley to the Murghab Valley, where it is encountered sporadically in topographic lows. The water is associated with loess-like loans intercalated with sands, coarse gravels, and sandy loans. Depending on the topography, the depth to the ground water level varies between 2.4 and 27.4 m. The yields of dug wells range from 0.1 to 0.4 l/s. In the Qaysar and Maymana valleys, many ascension springs are observed at the foots of coniform hills built up of loess. Their discharges vary between 0.01 and 6.6 l/s. The water is of the sulphate-sodium and sulphate-chloride-sodium-calcium types. The dissolvedsolids content is from 0.8 to 20.3 g/l, increasing from the upper reaches to the mouth of the valleys. Predominant are sulphate and chloride-sodium waters with the dissolved-solids content from 5 to 10 g/l and temperature from 15 to 24C. 4. The aquifer composed of alluvial and alluvial-fan deposits 4. The aquifer composed of alluvial and alluvial-fan deposits occurs within the plain areas of the region. The deposits are not water-bearing everywhere. The depth to the water level amounts to 15 m, locally to 2-5 m. Dug wells vary in yields between 0.1 to 0.7 l/s. The water is of the sulphate type, with the dissolved-solids content from 5 to 10 g/l. Sodium predominates among the cations. Thin lenses of bicarbonate and 74

bicarbonate-sulphate waters having a dissolved-solids content from 0.5 to 2 g/l are formed near small irrigation canals. 5. The aquifer composed of Lower Quaternary deposits 5. The aquifer composed of Lower Quaternary deposits occurs mainly within the Mazare-Sharif and Sheberghan artesian basins. The thickness of the deposits in the Archa area is 163 m. The aquifer has confined water over the most of the area. In the Ghanj structure, water levels in boreholes are at a depth of some 23 m, specific pumping yields are from 0.17 to 1.0 l/s; piezometric levels are at a depth of 13 m in the Akcha area, and the specific yield is 0.02 l/s. On the southern outskirts of Mazare-Sharif, water levels are at depths varying between 26-49 m, specific yields are 0.32 to 0.69 l/s. Dug wells tap water at depths from 2 to 35 m. The water is of the sulphate-sodium type, its dissolved-solids content ranges from 3.6 to 12 g/l. The dissolved-solids content of the water near Mazare-Sharif varies between 1.5 and 2.0 g/l. In the Samangan valley, the water is of the bicarbonate chloride-sodium and sulphate-chloride types with the dissolved-solids content of less than 1.5 g/l and temperature from 17 to 2000. The Neogene Aquifer System The Neogene Aquifer System spreads within the south and west of the Kushka Artesian Basin, in the southern part of the Mazare-Sharif Basin and over the Kulyab-Kokcha Artesian Basin. Water bearing rocks are limestones, conglomerates, and sandstones. Ground water occurs at depths from 18.5 to 70 m in the piedmont area of the Mazare-Sharif Artesian Basin, where the aquifer system is recharged. The discharge of springs varies between 0.05 and 0.1 l/s. Dug well yields range from 0.08 to 0.3 l/s. The water is of the chloride-sodium type; its dissolved-solids content is from 8 to 10 g/l. As the Neogene deposits dip under the Quaternary beds to the north, the water attains pressure and its total mineralization increases. For example, on the Jangali-Kolon structure the water-bearing sandstone pierced through by a well at a 730-866 m drilling interval has a +25 m head. At Sultane-Kot, a well tapped water with a 16 meter head above the surface. The dissolved-solids content increases with depth to 15-20 g/l and even 46.5 g/l. The water is of the chloridesodium type. In the area of the Kushka Artesian Basin, ground water is tapped in topographic lows at depths from 5.5 to 7.3 m. The discharges of springs do not exceed 0.02 l/s. The water is of the chloride-sulphatesodium type, less commonly of the calcium-sodium type. The dissolved-solids content varies from 1.2 to 16 g/l, the values from 4.7 to 7.2 g/l predominating. In the Kokcha Valley, the regime of ground water in the Neogene was studied by the Central Asian Water and Cotton Research and Development Institute. The water level has been found to fluctuate from 1.29 to 2.12 m in strongly fractured rocks, 0.97 to 1.19 m in mediumfractured rocks and at about 0.4 m in slightly fractured rocks. The Kantakey carbonated mineral water reservoir is confined to Miocene sands. Thermal chloride-sodium water with the dissolved-solids content of 80.5 g/l is used by the locals for therapeutical bathing and for table salt recovery. The Paleogene aquifer system The Paleogene aquifer system occurs mainly in the Kushka Artesian Basin. Water is associated with limestones, conglomerates, sandstones and siltstones. The discharges of springs are from 0.1 to 1.5 l/s. In the mountain area the waters become of the sulphate bicarbonate and sulphate types; the dissolved-solids content is from 0.6 to 4.2 g/l, more frequently from 1.3 to 3 g/l. Away from the mountain area, the water is of the sulphate and chloride-sodium type; the dissolved-solids content increases to 5.1-6.4 g/l, less commonly to 15.6-16.1 g/l. The dissolved-solids content of the water in springs related to fault zones ranges from 0.5-3.7 to 85-108 g/l, the water type changing from bicarbonate-calcium to chloride-sodium at 25 to 30C. A brine water spring slightly evolves hydrogen sulphide. Mineral water springs and reservoirs are confined to Paleocene deposits. The Ghanj sulphur water reservoir is confined to Paleocene limestone. The water is of the chloride-calcium-magnesium type, its dissolved-solids content is 2.6 g/l and temperature from 36 to 51C. The Kushk-i-Khuna thermal carbonated water reservoir is confined to Eocene sandstone. The water is of the bicarbonate-sodium type; its dissolved-solids content varies between 2.6 and 7.7 g/l.

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The Upper Cretaceous-Lower Paleogene aquifer system The Upper Cretaceous-Lower Paleogene aquifer system is ubiquitous in the Murghab, Maymana and Shasha fracture-karst water basins. The thick fractured and cavernous limestone, marl, and siltstone strata are waterbearing. The karstified limestone is a good ground water reservoir. Within fracture karst water basins, where limestones crop out and are a recharge area of the aquifer system, ground water is not confined. In the mountain area of the region, owing to greatly dissected topography, the limestone strata are drained completely and springs discharge water only at the contact with the underlying Cretaceous clayey deposits. For instance, in the upper reaches of the Maymana, Balkh and Samangan rivers, the limestone forms steep 300-400-m. high slopes without a single water manifestation, and it is only at the base that springs can be found discharging as much as 3-5 l/s. Favourable conditions exist for ground water accumulation in synclines and areas where water-bearing rocks underlie impermeable beds, which results in confined ground water. On the plains, the limestone occurs at depths from 2,500 to 3,000 m. The water yield of the aquifer varies widely. A well at the Ghanj structure vault tapped flowing thermal sulphur water with the yield of 200 l/s and well head pressure of 36 kg/cm2. 500 m to the south, the other well yielded 1,200 l/s. Such a high water yield of the limestone is not found everywhere. On the Mohammad Jandaghar structure, 15 km. east-south-east of the Ghanj structure, two wells penetrated Cretaceous-Paleogene limestone at depths of 870 and 1,000 m, respectively, and found no water. The flowing well on the Juma structure yielded 0.17 l/s; the specific yield of the well at Samangan was 11 l/s. Springs with discharges of 0.1-7 l/s are fairly often encountered in mountain areas. Under favourable conditions, in fault zones or on the limbs of anticlines, yields range from 30 to 120 l/s. Under particularly favourable structural and geomorphological conditions, where the water bearing fault zones are eroded down to the aquifer base, yields amount to 1,600 l/s. In mountain areas of recharge, the water is of the bicarbonate, sulphate-bicarbonate-calcium and calciumsodium types; its dissolved -solids content is from 0.3 to 0.5 g/l. The water becomes sulphate-sodium and chloride-sulphate-calcium--sodium with depth; the dissolved-solids content increases, varying between 1.9 and 5.5 g/l. Some springs and wells evolve hydrogen sulphide. The water in the flowing wells of the Ghanj structure is of the chloride-sodium type with a dissolved-solids content of 10.2 g/l. The temperature of water increases from discharge areas downward varying from 1118C to 45-53C; that of the aquifer equals 87C. The Chashma-i-Shafa thermal carbonated water reservoir is localized in Late Cretaceous Paleocene sediments. It has been catched and used for 70-80 years. The water is the chloride-sulphate-sodium-calcium type; its dissolved-solids content is 1.8 g/l. The Cretaceous aquifer system The Cretaceous aquifer system is distributed over the entire region. The water is associated with limestones, conglomerates, sandstones, and marls. Natural water occurrences are very sparse, being found mainly in the mountain area. The discharges of springs range from hundredth to tenth fractions of one litre per second. The water in the area of recharge is of the bicarbonate-calcium type; its dissolved-solids content varies between 0.4 and 0.9 g/l. The dissolved-solids content in the water increases with depth, ranging from 5.7 to 37 g/l and even to 120 g/l in fault zones. The water becomes of the sulphate-calcium and chloride-sodium types. Some data on the water yield of these rocks, obtained in deep wells drilled in the Mazare-Sharif Artesian Basin are presented in Table 14. As a whole, the aquifer system is characterized by a high pressure, temperature amounting to 87C, and yields ranging from 0.009 to 20.8 l/s. The water is of the chloride-sodium and chloride-calcium-sodium types. The dissolved-solids content changes areally and with depth. It is minimal on the ingot structure located at the margin of the internal area of recharge. The dissolved-solids content systematically increases to the north, attaining the maximum (359.6 g/l) on the Yalangach structure. Within the Angot structure, at depth intervals of 1,075-1,119 m and 1,170-1,473 m, waters have been found of the sulphate-chloride and chloride-sulphate-bicarbonate types, bubbling up with carbon dioxide.

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The Trias-Jurassic aquifer system The Trias-Jurassic aquifer system occurs in the area of the Bande Turkestan hydrogeological massif. It is exposed in erosion windows, near Khulm and in mountain area, being also tapped by drill wells. The water is confined to limestone and sandstone. The discharges of springs do not exceed 1 l/s. The water is fresh, of the bicarbonate-calcium, occasionally bicarbonate-sulphate (with a variety of cations), and sulphate-sodium types. Jurassic carbonate rocks with confined waters have been drilled through by deep wells on the Bayangor and Koh-i-Alburs structures, with the flowing well yields of 0.09 l/s and 350 l/s, respectively. The water is of the chloride-sodium type; its dissolved-solids content ranges from 66 to 78 g/l. The Paleozoic aquifer system The Paleozoic aquifer system underlies the region at great depths, cropping out only in the deep incisions of the valleys. The aquifer system is composed of carbonate rocks, sandstones, siltstones, shales, and quartzites with few springs yielding as much as 1.2 l/s. The water is of the sulphate bicarbonate (with a variety of cations) type, its dissolved-solids content varies between 0.3 and 0.5 g/l. The Northern Afghan Artesian Region The Northern Afghan Artesian Region has an outer area of recharge in mountains and an inner recharge area just within the basin. All the aquifers and aquifer systems are recharged by precipitation, water vapour condensation and surface waters. On the plain, the Quaternary aquifer system is recharged by surface waters. The ground water flows from south to north. Sampling in deep wells drilled for oil and gas have resulted in finding the movement patterns and changes in the chemical composition and total mineralization of the ground waters associated with Mesozoic petroliferous strata. The nature of ground water flow in the Hauterivian and Upper Jurassic oil-bearing strata may be judged by the formational pressure values presented in Table 15. The reduced formational pressure decreases from the Bande Turkestan fore-ranges toward the north-northeast and north-west. An analysis of areal formational pressure distribution shows that the Mazare-Sharif Artesian Basin differs entirely in the hydrodynamic regime from the Sheberghan Artesian Basin, the boundary between these basins being marked by the Alburs-Mormul Fault. Water released as a result of compaction is typical of the former and infiltrational ground water flow is characteristic of the latter. The fault zone east of the Sheberghan Uplift drains the ground water of the Mesozoic deposits and is an area of discharge. This is indicated by a sharp pressure decrease north-eastward. There are open sites of discharge (springs) and sites buried in the Quaternary piedmont apron. Thus, springs occur at the intersection of the fault and the Balkh River. In searching for fresh ground water in the piedmont aprons (62), there have been discovered areas of concealed ground water discharge with higher dissolved-solids content and temperature, which immediately adjoin the fault zone. The throw of the Alburs Mormul Fault gradually decreases from east to west, and no fault trace is observed in the Andkhoy area. A zone of concealed interstratal water discharge from the Upper Jurassic aquifer system to the Hauterivian aquifer system is traceable along this fault within the Sheberghan Block. West of Yalangach, the fault enters the area of Kimmeridgian-Tithonian salt-bearing strata and becomes a screen dividing the area of higher pressures north of it and the area of lower pressures south of it. In the west, the main area of discharge is the salt lake of Khwaja-Mod, located in a graben. The west shore of the lake follows the clearly pronounced fault line. Thus, anomalously high formational pressure, internal formational pressure zones and ascending ground water flow produced by rock compaction are characteristic of the Mazare-Sharif Artesian Basin. This is a closed basin with a practically stagnant regime of old metamorphosed sedimentary brines. The basin is favourable for hydrocarbon concentration and preservation. The Sheberghan Artesian Basin The Sheberghan Artesian Basin is underlain by confined aquifers with infiltrational ground water flow. The infiltrational zones are located in the Bande Turkestan fore-ranges. The basin embraces all the oil and gas fields known to date. The peculiar hydrogeological and hydrogeodynamic zones in the Sheberghan Artesian Basin have been formed owing to tectonic movements. Ancient sedimentation water of marine origin has been pushed 77

to the area of discharge by infiltration water intruding from the Bande Turkestan Ridge. This is observed in the Upper Jurassic and Hauterivian strata over the most of the basin. Ancient sedimentation water is being replaced very slowly in the Aptian-Lower Albian and Albian-Cenomanian petroliferous strata owing to their poor transmissivity. Therefore, the sedimentation water has been preserved nearly all over the basin. The Sheberghan Artesian Basin is made up of two hydrogeochemically different parts - the lower part, comprising the Upper Jurassic and Hauterivian aquifer systems, which are locally interconnected, and the upper part, including the Aptian-Lower Albian and Albian-Cenomanian aquifer systems. The following hydrogeochemical and hydrogeodynamical zones can be distinguished within the lower part; (1) a zone of free water circulation with infiltration slightly mineralized bicarbonate-sodium water in oxidation environment; (2) a zone of relatively slow water circulation, containing free sulphate-sodium water with a high concentration of dissolved solids; (3) a zone of slow water circulation with slightly metamorphosed free sedimentary chloride-calcium brines (50-150 g/l). The second and third zones are in oxidation-reduction or slightly reduction environments. Reduction conditions retain in the upper hydrogeochemical part.

II. The Central Afghanistan Hydrogeological Folded Region

The region occupies the central part of the country with a predominantly mountain climate. The maximum elevations exceed 7,000 m and are above the snow line. The annual precipitation varies between 400 and more than 1,000 mm. The annual evaporation from the water surface in the Kabul area amounts to 1,610 mm. Hydrogeological massifs with subordinate fracture-vein water underlie most of the region. A number of aquifer systems have been distinguished there (Appendix 7). The Quaternary aquifer system is distributed over the entire region. Water bearing rocks are conglomerate, coarse gravel, sand, sandy loam and loam with gravel and gruss. The aquifer system comprises:

1. An aquifer composed of recent alluvium

An aquifer composed of recent alluvium occurring in the valleys of the Hari Rod, Kabul Rod, Darya-i-Logar, Harut Rod, Farah Rod, Khash Rod, Helmand Rod and other rivers. In the Hari Rod Valley in the Herat area, the width of the alluvial valley amounts to 20-25 km., the aquifer being as thick as 46 m. The depth to water levels is from 6-8 m in the floodplain area to 15.5-65 m in the valley sides. On the floodplain, ground water is discharged as springs yielding as much as 40 l/s; specific well yields range from 2.5 to 12.1 l/s. The aquifer is tapped at depths from 0.5 to 17.0 m in the Harut Rod, Farah Rod and Khash Rod valleys. The thickness of the deposits amounts to 60 m in the Shindand area. The discharges of springs and karizes vary between 2-7 and 40-60 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate, sulphate bicarbonate, and sulphate-chloride types, having variable cation composition, with the dissolved-solids content from 0.8 to 1.2 g/l and the temperature from 17 to 20C. The Quaternary deposits in the middle reaches of the Helmand Rod River and along the Tirin Rod River are as thick as 20 m. The depth to water levels vary between 0.5 and 8.5 m; the discharges of springs amount to 23.4 l/s and those of karizes range from 0.45 to 12.3 l/s. The water is of the sulphate-bicarbonate-calcium, bicarbonate-sulphate-sodium calcium, bicarbonate-chloride-sodium, and chloride-sulphate-sodium types. The dissolved-solide content varies between 0.43 and 1.36 g/l and the temperature, between 17.5 and 21C. In the headwater areas, the alluvium is coarse and of local distribution, invariably storing fresh water. The maximum thickness of the water bearing rocks in the Kabul River basin is from 70 to 110 m, the width of the valley being from 70-100 m to 1,000-1,500 m. The rock sequence consists of loam, 1 to 5 m thick on the first terrace and up to 15-50 m on the second terrace. These deposits cover the entire area of alluvium, excluding the near-channel zone. Loose pebble-gravel-sand deposits underlie the loam and crop out in the river channel. Their thickness ranges from 2.0-3.0 m to 7.0-9.0 m. The underlying conglomerate and gravelstone vary in thickness between 35 and 65 m. The aquifer is mainly unconfined, but locally it has a head of 2 to 7 m owing to the over-lying loam. The depth to ground water on the floodplain and first terrace is from 2 to 5 m and on the second terrace, 7 to 16 m. The specific yields of wells dug or drilled into the loam range from 0.8 to 2.8 l/s and the coefficient of permeability, from 12 to 53 m/day. The conglomerate and gravelstone yield from 0.47 78

to 48 l/s, the coefficients of permeability varying from 4 to 122 m/day. The water is of the bicarbonatemagnesium-calcium type with the dissolved-solids content ranging from 0.32 to 0.62 g/l. At the mouth of the Darya-i-Logar Valley, the alluvium constitutes a belt 3,000 to 4,000 m wide and 100 to 150 m thick. In the middle reaches of the river, near Safed Sang, the deposits range in thickness from first few meters to more than 40 m. The maximum thickness of the sandy loam over-lying the sandy-coarse gravel member, which is as thick as 30-40 m, amounts to 15-20 m. The aquifer is of the free-water surface type. The overlying loam produce, a local head of 0.5 to 6.0 m. The depth to water levels are from 0.8 to 17.25 m. The unit ground-water discharge at Kandwana is 230 l/s. The specific yields of wells vary between 0.3 and 12 l/s. The coefficients of permeability range from 60 to 120 m/day, in some placed up to 540 m/day. The water is fresh, of the bicarbonate and bicarbonate-magnesium types, with the dissolved-solids content of 0.7 to 2,0 g/l and temperature of 13 to 17C.

2. The aquifer, composed of alluvial-fan and talus deposits

The aquifer, composed of alluvial-fan and talus deposits occurs in the Herat, Sehdara, Dakke-Tundi, Kabul, and Aynak intermontane depressions, in the Dashte Nawer Depression, and in numerous intermontane valleys. Water-bearing deposits are gravel, shingle, sandy loam and loam totalling in thickness from first few meters in intermontane lows in the west to 400 m at Shekar Darah (14). Natural discharge sites are sparse; the discharge of springs vary between 0.1 and 30 l/s. This aquifer is being exploited mainly by dug wells and karizes. The yields of karizes range from 3 to 15 l/s. The wells drilled in the Kabul Depression yield from 3.8 to 12.6 l/s, draw-down being from 2.7 to 54.0 m. The water is of the bicarbonate-calcium type; the dissolvedsolids content varies between Q2 and 0.7 l/s, and the temperature, between 9 and 20C. In the extreme west and north of Kandahar, the water is of the sulphate and sulphate-chloride-sodium types; the dissolved-solids content increases up to 2.9-7.9 g/l and the temperatures ranges from 23 to 25C. In the Aynak Depression, the deposits in which wells and karizes are dug vary in thickness from 1.5 to 34.0 m, mostly from 7.8 to 13.7 m. The water levels are at depths from 1.5 to 34 m, averaging 6 to 10 m. The discharges of springs range from 0.015 to 4.42 l/s and the temperature, from 13 to 20C. The karizes yield from 0.22 to 6.96 l/s and the temperature of water from 11 to 18C. The dissolved-solids content varies between 0.25 and 1.49 g/l, rising from the top of the piedmont plain toward its bottom, downstream the ground water flow. Maximum values (0.8-1.5 g/l) have been recorded on the right side of the Darya-i-Logar Valley in the Kanj area. The water is of the bicarbonate-magnesium and bicarbonate types, with diverse cation composition. At the Aynak copper deposit, the aquifer is tapped by two wells. Well 567 tapped ground water at a depth of 9 m, the deposits being 10 m thick. The estimated transmissivity amounted to 2.46 m2/day and the coefficient of permeability 0.14 m/day. In well 569 the transmissivity and coefficient of permeability were 14.3 m2/day and 23.83 m/day, respectively. The water is of the bicarbonate-chloridesodium-magnesium type; the dissolved-solids content is from 0.48 to 0.69 g/l. The Lower Quaternary aquifer system The Lower Quaternary aquifer system underlies the Dashte Nawer superimposed basin. Fractured volcanics invariably overlying the older deposits are water bearing. In valleys and drainless depression of Dashte Nawer, the volcanics are overlain by younger alluvium and alluvial-fan deposits. The discharges of few springs vary from 0.2-3 to 5-18 l/s. The maximum discharge of 400 l/s has been recorded from Saraw Spring, with ground water discharging in isolated streams, with yields of up to 40 l/s over a distance of 300 m. The yield of karizes in the southern and eastern parts of the superimposed basin ranges from 3 to 15 l/s. The water is of bicarbonate type with a mixed cation composition, the dissolved-solids content is 0.2-0.5 g/l, the temperature is 7-12C. The Neogene aquifer system The Neogene aquifer system underlies numerous intermontane basins in the Tirin area. The water-bearing deposits are conglomerates, shingles, and sandstones as thick as 20 m in the Tirin area. The Neogene deposits infill the ancient topographic lows, while the strata that rest above the local erosion base level have been drained. Near Tirin, the ground water is unconfined. The discharges of springs and karizes range from 0.15 to 16.7 l/s and from 0.8 to 1.82 l/s, respectively. The wells dug into the deposits tapped ground water at depths from 2.5 to 13.5 m. The water is of the bicarbonate-sulphate-calcium, chloride-bicarbonate79

magnesium, and bicarbonate-chloride-magnesium types. The dissolved-solids content is from 0.47 to 1.07 g/l, and the temperature, from 17.5 to 26C. In the west of the country, springs yield 0.1 l/s or less. The water is of the sulphate-bicarbonate and bicarbonate-sulphate-sodium types; the dissolved-solids content varies between 0.7 and 1.6 g/l and the temperature between 18 and 19C. In the north, springs generally yield as much as 0.1 l/s, and only a few of them, from 0.2 to 0.4 l/sec. The water types vary from bicarbonatecalcium to bicarbonate-chloride-sodium, and the dissolved-solids content is as much as 1.1 g/l and the temperature ranges from 10 to 15C. In the Aynak Depression, the Neogene deposits infill the intermontane basins in the vicinity of Aynak and Darband and vast piedmont plains. The total thickness of the Neogene deposits with the confined water is more than 500 m. The discharges of springs in the intermontane Aynak and Darband depressions range from 0.01 to 0.6 l/s, mainly from 0.01 to 0.35 l/s, the temperature varying between 15 and 18C. Karizes tap ground water in sandstone and conglomerate at depths from 4 to 5 m. Their yields do not exceed 0.4 l/s, the water temperature ranging from 12 to 15C. The dissolved-solids content of water is from 0.55 to 1.0 g/l; it is of the bicarbonate-sulphate and bicarbonate-chloride type, with a diverse cation composition, sodium and magnesium ions predominating. Numerous natural and artificial water discharge sites are observed in the area of Logar ultrabasics, which is on the left side of the Darya-iLogar Valley, in the vicinity of Pul-i-Kandary and Safed Sang. There, the springs discharge from 0.08 to 4.64 l/s, the water temperature varying between 13 and 20.5C. The karises yield from 0.08 to 6.24 l/s, the temperature of water varying between 14 and 16C. The dissolved-solids content ranges from 0.22 to 0.63 g/l, mainly from of 0.30 to 0.57 g/l. The water is mainly of the bicarbonate-magnesium type. Within the Aynak deposit, the Neogene deposits overlie the copper-bearing rocks of the productive strata. Water-bearing rocks are breccias, conglomerates, sandstones and marls. The discharges of springs range from 0.01 to 0.6 l/s, mostly from 0.22 to 0.35 l/s, the water temperature varying between 11 and 18C. The karises tapping water in the depth of 11.0 m yield from 0.25 to 0.37 l/s, the water temperature being from 15 to 17C. The dissolved-solid's content varies from 0.25 to 0.74 g/l. The water is of the bicarbonate-sulphate and bicarbonate-chloride types, with a diverse cation composition, and of the bicarbonate-calciummagnesium and bicarbonate-magnesium types. Pumping tests in the Neogene aquifer system have shown its confined nature. The heads and pumping test results are presented in Table 16. According to drilling data, the overall thickness of the water-bearing rocks is from 4.0 to 50.0 m. The Paleogene aquifer system The Paleogene aquifer system underlies the western part of the region and the Kandahar area. Water-bearing rocks are siltstones, sandstones, dacites, andesites and liparites. Water levels are at depths from 1 to 8 m. In the mountain area, discharges of springs vary between 0.1 and 0.7 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate and sulphate-bicarbonate-calcium types, with the dissolved-solids content from 0.3 to 1.1 g/l. Away from the mountains, the dissolved-solids content increases, ranging from 2.9 to 6.1 g/l and the water becomes of the sulphate and sulphate-chloride-sodium types, its temperature varying between 15 and 20C. Along the Kandahar-Herat highway, ground water is tapped by wells at depths from 4.7 to 9.8 m, their yields under 1.9 to 15 m draw-downs are from 0.03 to 2.0 l/s. The water is of the sulphate-bicarbonate and chloride-sulphatesodium types, its dissolved solids content varying between 0.5 and 1.8 g/l. The karizes north of Kandahar yield from 0.8 to 1.1 l/s, the water being of the sulphate-chloride-bicarbonate-calcium type. The Cretaceous aquifer system The Cretaceous aquifer system mainly underlies the Farah Rod Subartesian Basin. Water-bearing rocks are limestones, conglomerates, sandstones, and siltstones. The discharges of springs vary between 3.5 and 30 l/s, at places being as 100-200 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate type, less commonly of the sulphate and chloride-bicarbonate-calcium types, its temperature ranging from 10 to 23C. In the well drilled north of Farah, the water level was at depth of 4.7 m, and the yield was 1.6 l/s. The water is of the sulphatebicarbonate-calcium type, its dissolved-solids content is 0.5 g/l. The Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous aquifer system The Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous aquifer system underlies the Farah Rod Subartesian Basin and the Middle Helmand and Tirin fracture-karst water basins. Water bearing rocks are conglomerates, sandstones, siltstones, less commonly limestones. The discharges of most springs are tenth fractions of the liter per second. Water springs in fault zones discharge from 3 to 10 l/s. The yields of karizes vary between 9 and 18 l/s. The 80

water is of the bicarbonate-calcium, sulphate-bicarbonate-sodium and sulphate-chloride-sodium types, its dissolved-solids content ranging from 0.1 to 0.7 g/l, rarely to 1.7 g/l, and temperature from 10 to 23C. The Triassic-Jurassic aquifer system The Triassic-Jurassic aquifer system locally underlies the western, southern and central parts of the region. Water bearing rocks are cavernous limestone. The discharges of springs vary between 0.78 and 1.8 1/s, those of karizes, between 2.54 and 6.98 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate-sodium-calcium type; its dissolvedsolids content ranges from 0.3 to 0.48 g/l and temperature from 17 to 27C. Springs near fault zones discharge from 2.5 to 18.3 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate-sulphate-sodium type, its dissolved-solids content varies between 0.62 and 0.68 g/l, the temperature, between 23.5 and 27C. The Permian-Triassic aquifer system The Permian-Triassic aquifer system is in the area of the Hendukush-Badakhshan Hydrogeological Massif. Water-bearing rocks are limestones, sandstones and siltstones. The discharges of springs are from 0.1 to 1 l/s, rarely to 10 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate-magnesium-calcium and calcium-magnesium types; its dissolved-solids content varies between 0.2 and 0.6 g/l and temperature, between 6 and 19C. Numerous shows of thermal nitric and carbonated waters are encountered in the area. The Paleozoic aquifer system The Paleozoic aquifer system occurs within the Hendukush-Badakhshan, Hari Rod, Upper Helmand and Argandab hydrogeological massifs and is distributed over the most of the Middle Helmand fracture karst hydrogeological massif. Water bearing rocks are limestones, dolomites, sandstones, and siltstones. The discharges of springs are from 0.1 to 1 l/s, rarely from 4 to 8 1/s. Under favourable hydrogeological conditions in the Middle Helmand fracture-karst water massif, the discharges amount to tens and hundreds of thousands litres per second. The yields of karizes vary between 12 and 20 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate type and contains various cations, its dissolved-solids content ranges from 0.1 to 0.7 g/l and temperature, from 5 to 16C. Mineral water occurrences are confined to carbonate strata close to faults. The Precambrian aquifer system The Precambrian aquifer system is within the Hendukush Badakhshan, Hari Rod, Upper Helmand and Argandab hydrogeological massifs. Water bearing rocks are gneisses, shales, migmatites, and quartzites. The discharges of springs vary between 0.05 and 2 l/s, rarely between 5 and 10 l/s; those of karizes range from 0.5 to 10 l/s and even to 70 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate-calcium, bicarbonate-magnesium-calcium, and bicarbonate-sodiumcalcium types; its dissolved-solids content is from 0.3 to 0.6 g/l and temperature, from 5 to 15C. At the Aynak copper deposit, the discharges of springs range from 0.01 to 0.85 l/s, mostly from 0.22 to 0.35 1/8. The water is of the bicarbonate-chloride-sodium-magnesium and bicarbonate-calcium-sodium types; its dissolved solids content varies between 0.38 and 0.64 g/l and temperature, between 16 and 19C. Near the Darband deposit, the discharges of springs are from 0.1 to 1.0 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate and bicarbonate-chloride types (with a variety of cations; its dissolved-solids content varies between 0.44 and 0.81 g/l and temperature, between 15 and 16.50C. Like surface water occurrences, the ground water tapped by exploratory adits in the Darband area is confined to zones of fractured crystalline rocks. The values of water inflow to adits are presented in Table 17. Ground water is discharged in the workings as seeps, spouts, or drops. The mine water is of the bicarbonatesulphate magnesium-sodium and bicarbonate-sulphate-sodium types, with the dissolved-solids content from 0.47 to 0.74 g/l. All the wells drilled into the aquifer system at the Aynak deposit, yielded confined water. The pumping results are presented in Table 18. The water tapped by the wells is fresh, with the dissolved-solids content from 0.32 to 0.57 g/l. The water is of the bicarbonate-sulphate-sodium-magnesium, bicarbonate-sodium-magnesium and sulphate-bicarbonatesodium-calcium types, its temperature varying between 15 and 16C. Mineral water springs are related to deep-seated fault zones. 81

The aquifer system composed of intrusive rocks of different composition and age also occurs within the hydrogeological massifs of the region. Water-bearing rocks are fractured granites, granodiorites, diorites and other rocks. Numerous springs have discharges from 0.05-0.5 to 1.5-3.0 l/s. The springs close to the contacts between the intrusions and the country rock have discharges ranging from 5 to 10 l/s, while karizes yield from 1 to 8 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate-calcium, sodium-calcium, and calcium-sodium types with cations; its dissolved-solids content varies between 0.2 and 0.6 g/l and temperature between 7 and 17C. In the Logar massif of ultrabasic rocks, the discharges of springs amount to 1.25 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate, magnesium type; its dissolved-solids content is 0.39 g/l and temperature 19C. The discharges of springs from amphibolite, in the Aynak and Batkhal areas, range from 0.2 to 0.65 l/s; the dissolved-solids content of waters varies between 0.39 and 0.84 g/l and the temperature, between 13 and 16C. The water is of the bicarbonate and bicarbonate-chloride types (with a variety of cations). Mineral water springs emerge from faults in intrusives. The Central Afghanistan Hydrogeological Folded Region located in the mountain area of the country is an outer recharge area of the North and South Afghanistan Artesian Regions. The watershed of the mountain system gives rise to ground water flow and surface runoff- in northern, southern, and eastern directions. These waters feed hydraulically inter-related aquifers and aquifer systems both within the region itself and beyond its boundaries, in the areas of adjacent water-bearing structures. The main source of recharge is precipitation. The region includes all the main currently known mineral water provinces with nitrous, siliceous, and carbonated cold and thermal waters. The principal carbonated mineral water reservoirs in the Bamyan Province are: (1) Qala, with thermal water of the chloride-bicarbonate-sodium type having the dissolved-solids content from 5.1 to 7.2 g/l; (2) KhwajaQuch, with cold water of the bicarbonate-magnesium-calcium type, having the dissolved-solids content of 2.9 g/l; (3) Ghor-Ghori, with thermal water of the bicarbonate-sodium type, having the dissolved-solids content from 0.8 to 2.0 g/l; (4) Chil, with cold water of the bicarbonate-calcium type, having the dissolvedsolids content of 1.0 g/l; and (5) Nawe-Mazari, with cold and thermal waters of the bicarbonate-calciumsodium and chloride-bicarbonate-sodium types having the dissolved-solids content from 0.6 to 0.9 g/l. In the Oruzghan Province, such a reservoir is called Kshotta Garmab, with thermal water of the bicarbonatecalcium-sodium type, having the dissolved-solids content of 1.14 g/l.

III. The South Afghanistan Artesian Region

The South Afghanistan Artesian Region is characterized by a desert climate. Minimum elevations of 412 m above the sea level are recorded in the areas of drainiogs lakes. The annual precipitation is little over 100 mm (42.4 mm in Zaranj), while the annual evaporation is over 3,000 mm. The Khash, Pushte, Rod, Dashte, Margha, Garmsel, and Regestan deserts are located in the region. The main structures are artesian basins of the Seystan Depression and Katawaz Synclinorium having stratal waters. A number of aquifers and aquifer systems have been distinguished in the artesian basins (Appendix 7). The Quaternary aquifer system The Quaternary aquifer system with unconfined water underlies the entire region. Water-bearing rocks are limestones, conglomerates, gravelstones, coarse gravels, sand, sandy loam, and loam. The system consists of the following aquifers: 1. The Recent alluvium aquifer The Recent alluvium aquifer which underlies the floodplains of the Farah Rod, Khash Rod, Helmand, Arghestan Rod, and other valleys. The deposits of the aquifer tapped by dug wells and karizes, range in thickness from first few meters to 29.3 m in the Tegeresh Mandeh area and to 42.5 m in the Duri Rod Valley. The aquifer is unconfined. Local heads as high as 0.5-1.0 m are observed only in areas where the aquifer is overlain by loam, or where the floodplain is partly overlain by clayey fans of lateral mud flows. The depth to water, the lithological composition of water-bearing rocks, and the ground water types vary in different areas of the river valleys. For example, in the mouth of the Farah Rod River, water-bearing sediments are sand and loam with gravel. The depths to ground water range from 4.5 to 8.0 m. The water is fresh and of the bicarbonatechloride (with a variety of cations) and chloride-bicarbonate-magnesium-calcium types, with the dissolvedsolids content from 0.53 to 0.77 g/l and temperature from 14 to 21.5C. In the mouth of the Khash Rod River, 82

the aquifer is composed of conglomerate, coarse gravel and sandy loam. The static water levels in dug wells vary between 2.0 and 6.0 m. The water is fresh or brackish, of the bicarbonate-sulphate-sodium-calcium and bicarbonate-chloride (with a variety of cations) types; its dissolved-solids content range from 0.71 to 1.10 g/l and temperature, from 14 to 23C. In the mouth of the Helmand Rod River, water-bearing sediments are loam and sandy loam with pebbles. The static water levels are at depths from 1.0 to 10.5 m. The water is fresh to brackish, of the chloride-bicarbonate-sodium-magnesium, bicarbonate-chloride (with a variety of cations) and chloride-sodium types; its dissolved-solids content varies between 0.63 and 2.12 g/l and temperature, between 8 and 17C. In the lower reaches of the Helmand Rod River, particularly in the Khanneshin Ghar area, the alluvial aquifer consists of gravelly sand, sand and alternating loam and sand. The depth to water level ranges from 3.0 to 4.42 m. The water is fresh to brackish, of the chloride-bicarbonate-sodium-calcium and bicarbonate-sulphate (with a variety of cations) types; its dissolved-solids content varies between 0.67 and 1.84 g/l and temperature, between 15 and 19C. The concentration of dissolved solids decreases upstream. In the Darweshan area, the dissolved-solids content is 0.88 g/l and the depth to water is 2.3 m. The water is of the bicarbonate--sulphate-sodium-magnesium type, its temperature is 18C. North of Lashkargah, near Abazan, ground water occurs at a depth of 1.53 m; its dissolved-solids content is 0.53 g/l. The water is of the bicarbonate-sulphate-calcium-sodium type, its temperature is 12C. In the middle reaches of the intermittent Togheresh Mandeh stream, the water table is at the greatest depths (from 10.0 to 29.5 m). Water-bearing deposits are conglomerate, sandstone, gravel, and sand. The depth to water increases up-stream. The water is fresh and brackish, of the chloride-bicarbonate-sodium-calcium and chloride-sulphate-sodium-magnesium types; its dissolved-solids content varies between 0.79 and 1.25 g/l and temperature, between 17 and 24.5C. In the east of the area, particularly in the Arghestan Rod Valley, ground water of the bicarbonate-chloride-sodiumcalcium type is distributed in sand with gravel at a depth of 6.5 m. Its dissolved solids content is 0.65 g/l and temperature 19.5C. In the floodplain of the Duri Rod River, which drains the same area, the ground water is confined to gravel and loam with gravel. The depth to the water table ranges from 19.0 to 42.5 m. The water is brackish, of the sulphate-bicarbonate-sodium-magnesium and sulphate-chloride-bicarbonate-sodiummagnesium types; its dissolved-solids content ranges from 1.02 to 1.30 g/l and temperature, from 19 to 21C. In the Lura Valley, in the extreme south-east of the country, slightly mineralized ground water occurs in gravel at a depth of 2.0 m. The water is of the sulphate-chloride bicarbonate-sodium and, sulphate-bicarbonate-chloridesodium-magnesium types; its dissolved-solids content varies between 1.17 and 1.48 g/l and temperature, between 14 and 25C. As a whole, the aquifer tapped by karizes yields 5.2 l/s. 2. The aquifer composed of eolian and talus deposits The aquifer composed of eolian and talus deposits underlies the area of the Katawaz and Registan artesian basins and the piedmont areas of the Tarnak and Chagay fracture-karst water basins. Water bearing deposits are breccias, gravels, shingles, sand and loam with shingle. The tapped thickness of the deposits is 71.0 m in the Haji Bakhim area, 43.6 m at the Duri Rod - Tarnak Rod interfluve, and 11.5 m in the vicinity of Lashkargah. The aquifer is unconfined. At the Duri Rod - Lura interfluve, the aquifer is composed of breccia, sand, loam and loam with gravel. The static ground water level is at depths from 4.25 to 71.0 m, the lowest water levels being observed in the loam. The water is fresh to brackish, of the bicarbonate-calciummagnesium, sulphate-chloride-sodium-magnesium and chloride-sulphate-sodium types; its dissolved-solids content varies between 0.45 and 2.31 g/l and temperature, between 19 and 25C. In the area between the Duri Rod and Tarnak Rod rivers, the aquifer is made-up of debris material, gravelly-pebbly deposits, sand and loam with shingle. The depth to water ranges from 1.3 to 43.6 m. The water is fresh, brackish, or saline, of the bicarbonate-chloride-sodium, bicarbonate-chloride (with a variety of cations), chloride bicarbonate-sodium-calcium, chloride-sulphate-sodium-magnesium, and sulphate (with a variety of cations) types. Its dissolved-solids content varies between 0.53 and 5.56 g/l and temperature, between 13 and 21C. In the area between the Helmand Rod and the Argandab Rod rivers, the ground water occurs in gravelstone, sand, and loam at depths from 6.25 to 11.5 m. The water is fresh or brackish, of the bicarbonate-sulphate-sodiummagnesium and sulphate-bicarbonate (with a variety of cations) types. Its dissolved-solids content varies between 0.86 and 1.12 g/l and temperature, between 18 and 19C. The karizes tapping this aquifer yield from 0.5 to 8.84 l/s. 3. The aquifer composed of Upper Quaternary and alluvial-plain deposits The aquifer composed of Upper Quaternary and alluvial-plain deposits underlies the northern segment of the Lower Helmand Artesian Basin. It consists of conglomerates, coarse gravel, sand, sandy loam, and loam. The thickness of the Upper Quaternary deposits, tapped by dug wells and karizes, amounts to 7.0 m in the 83

Farah Rod lower reaches, 6.10 m in the Helmand Rod lower reaches, 41.1 m at Mandeh, and 15.8 m near Abdurashid, north of Lashkargah. The underlying rocks are of Neogene age. In the Farah Rod lower reaches, the aquifer is made up of coarse gravel and loam. The depth to water varies between 1.2 and 6.7 m. The water is fresh, containing bicarbonates, chlorides and sulphates of a variety of cations and chlorides, bicarbonates and sulphates of calcium and magnesium, with the dissolved solids content from 0.43 to 0.88 g/l and the temperature from 10 to 21C. Near the intermittent Togheresh Mandeh Stream water is contained in conglomerate. The depth to the ground water amounts to 38.6 m. The water is of the chloride-sodiummagnesium type; its dissolved-solids content being 1.61 g/l. The temperature is 22C. In the Lashkargah area and somewhat to the north, the depth to ground water is from 1.47 to 15.57 m The water is fresh or brackish, of the bicarbonate-chloride (with a variety of cations), bicarbonate-sulphate (with a variety of cations), bicarbonate-sodium-calcium-magnesium, and chloride bicarbonate-sodium-magnesium types having the dissolved-solids content from 0.47 to 1.8 g/l and the temperature from 8 to 21C. On the Helmand Rod River left bank near Khanneshin, the ground water is tapped by dug wells at depths from 1.35 to 3.27 m. The water is fresh or brackish of the bicarbonate-chloride-sulphate-sodium-magnesium and chloride bicarbonate-sulphate-sodium-calcium types, with the dissolved-solids content from 0.78 to 1.22 g/l and the temperature from 14 to 21C. On the right side of the river valley, the aquifer occurs at depths between 3.40 and 6.05 m, containing brackish and saline water of the chloride-sodium type, with the dissolved-solids content of up to 10.1 g/l and the temperature of 20C. The discharges of springs from Upper Quaternary coarse gravel range from 0.45 to 0.8 l/s. 4. The aquifer composed of Middle Quaternary deposits of high terraces The aquifer composed of Middle Quaternary deposits of high terraces underlies mainly the Lower Helmand Artesian Basin along the Helmand Rod River right bank as far as the northern boundaries of the region. The aquifer consists of coarse gravel, sand, and sandy and gravelly loam, the water being unconfined. The thickness of Middle Quaternary deposits, tapped by dug wells, karizes, and drilling wells, amounts to 12 m in the Shash Desert, 64 m in the Dashte Margo Desert, 70 m near Laskargah, 68 m in the Pushte Rod Desert, and 80.9 m in the Helmand Rod - Argandab Rod interfluve area. The Middle Quaternary beds overlie Neogene deposits. In the Khash Desert, ground water is confined to cavernous limestone and conglomerate. The water table is at depths from 1.5 to 8.0 m. Soil is salinized where the ground water level stands high. The water is fresh or brackish of the chloride-sulphate-sodium-calcium and chloride-sulphate-calcium-sodium types, with the dissolved-solids content from 0.87 to 1.15 g/l and the temperature from 13 to 23.5C. On the Helmand Rod River right bank, north of Lashkargah in the Pushte Rod Desert, the aquifer is composed of conglomerate, gravelly-pebbly deposits, and loam intercalated with sand and gravel. The depth to ground water varies between 1.87 and 68.4 m. The water is mostly fresh or brackish in places, of the chloride-bicarbonate (with a variety of cations), bicarbonate-sulphate (with a variety of cations), bicarbonate (with a variety of cations), sulphate-sodium, and chloride-sulphate-sodium-calcium types. The dissolved-solids content ranges from 0.57 to 2.04 g/l and temperature, from 12.5 to 24C. In the Helmand Rod - Togheresh Mandeh interfluve (in the Dashte Margo Desert), ground water is distributed in conglomerate. The depth to water varies between 30.7 and 64.0 m. The water is brackish, of the chloride-sodium and chloride-sodium-magnesium types with the dissolved-solids content from 1.33 to 3.38 g/l and the temperature from 21 to 24C. Near Lashkargah, on the Helmand Rod River right bank, water is contained in conglomerate, sand and loam with sand. The water levels are at depths from 1.70 to 5.07 m. The water is brackish, of the chloride, chloride-sulphate (with a variety of cations), sulphate-bicarbonate-sodium and bicarbonate-chloride-sodium types. The dissolvedsolids content varies between 1.23 and 2.58 g/l and the temperature, between 10 and 16.5C. In the Helmand Rod - Argandab Rod interfluve area, the aquifer is composed of conglomerate, sandstone, gravel, pebbles, sand with gravels, and loam with sand lenses. The depth to water ranges from 4.97 to 18.77 m. The water if fresh or brackish, of the bicarbonate-sulphate (with a variety of cations), bicarbonate-chloride (with a variety of cations), sulphate-chloride, sulphate-bicarbonate (with a variety of cations), and chloride-bicarbonatesodium-magnesium types. The dissolved-solids content varies from 0.4 to 2.51 g/l and the temperature, from 10 to 18C. Here, in Lashkargah, the Middle Quaternary aquifer is drilled through by a number of wells. Down to a depth of 80.9 m, the section is composed of alternating conglomerates, sand, and loams. The water is fresh, of the chloride bicarbonate, chloride-sulphate (with a variety of cations), bicarbonate-chloridesodium-magnesium, and sulphate-bicarbonate (with a variety of cations) types. The dissolved-solids content is from 0.48 to 0.75 g/l, and the temperature from 21 to 25C. In the Duri Rod-Tarnak Rod interfluve area, 84

water-bearing formations are coarse gravel and loam with shingle. The depth to the water table varies between 7.10 and 9.10 m The water is brackish, at places saline, of the chloride-carbonate-calciummagnesium and chloride-sulphate-calcium-magnesium types, with the dissolved-solids content from 1.62 to 3.22 g/l and the temperature from 15 to 18C. The discharges of springs vary between 0.08 and 0.5 l/s, and the yields of karizes in the Helmand Rod - Argandab Rod interfluve area are from 0.5 l/s to 6.96 l/s. The rates of pumping from the wells dug in the Khash Desert vary between 8 and 15 l/s, and the wells drilled at Margha yield 4 l/s each and those in Lashkargah, from 6 to 19 l/s. The water is mainly fresh or slightly brackish. The brackish ground water is encountered, as a rule, in areas with a high water table or low-yield wells, where primarily fresh ground water becomes salinized as a result of intensive evaporation. In the Quaternary aquifer system the ground water temperature tends to fall with shallower depth to water, owing to intensive evaporation. The boundary of constant temperature (20-25C) is at a depth of 23 m. Some data on the water yield of the Quaternary aquifer system are presented in Table 19. Unconfined aquifer system of Early Quaternary age Unconfined aquifer system of Early Quaternary age is of extremely local distribution at the Chagay Range foothills and in the area of Khanneshin Ghar volcano. Volcanic rocks, which build up positive landforms, are drained to a large depth. The ground water at the mountain foothills occurs at depths from 1.1 to 2.5 m. The water is of the sulphate-chloride-sodium and bicarbonate-sulphate-sodium types; its dissolved-solids content varies between 1.6 and 2.5 g/l, and temperature, between 20 and 22C. The Neogene Aquifer System The Neogene Aquifer System underlies the entire Seystan Depression. Within the Lower Helmand Artesian Basin, the Neogene rocks are overlain by alluvial and alluvial fan deposits of Quaternary age. Over the most of the Registan Artesian Basin, the Neogene is overlain by eolian sand, thus cropping out only locally in the Helmand Rod River left bank and at the northern foothills of the Ghagay Range. The thickness of sand and shingle deposits, tapped by water wells, amounts to 69.2 m. The water is brackish, of the chloride-sodiumcalcium and chloride-sodium types, with the dissolved-solids content from 1.37 to 3.1 g/l and the temperature from 19 to 25C. At the foothills of the Chagay Range thermal and cold carbonated mineral waters occur in Neogene deposits. The water is saline of the chloride-sodium type with dissolved-solids content from 30.7 to 66.3 g/l and the temperature from 11 to 37C. The Paleogene Aquifer System The Paleogene Aquifer System occurs in the Katawaz Artesian Basin. Water bearing rocks are volcanics, claystones, sandstones, and siltstones. Water springs are rare with yields not exceeding 0.1 l/s. The water is of the bicarbonate-sulphate-sodium-magnesium type, its dissolved-solids content varying between 0.6 and 1.7 g/l and temperature, between 13 and 21C. The Paleogene rocks issue sulphur mineral water of the chloride-sodium and carbonate-magnesium-calcium types, with the dissolved-solids content from 1.06 to 2.96 g/l and the temperature of 20C. The Cretaceous Aquifer System The Cretaceous Aquifer System underlies the Tarnak and Chagay fracture-karst water basins and locally the valleys of the Lura Rod, Duri Rod and other rivers. Water is issued by weathered volcanics and limestone. Static water levels occur at depths from 1.1 to 11.0 m. The yields of dug wells vary between 0.12 and 0.38 l/s; discharges of springs, between 0.2 and 0.3 l/s; and yields of karizes between 0.1 and 2.5 l/s. The water is of the chloride-bicarbonate-sulphate-sodium, bicarbonate-chloride-sodium, bicarbonate-sodium, sulphatechloride-sodium and chloride-sodium types, with the dissolved-solids content from 0.5 to 2.2 g/l and the temperature from 18 to 19C. The aquifer system composed of intrusions of different composition and age The aquifer system composed of intrusions of different composition and age underlies the Chagay fracturekarst water basin in the north-eastern and eastern segments of the region. The water-bearing zone in the upper fractured part of granite and granodiorite has been tapped by wells dug to depths of 9.0 m. The water 85

table is at depths from 1.75 to 8.5 m. The yields of karizes amount to 3.2 l/s. The water is of the chloride bicarbonate-sodium and chloride-sulphate-sodium types, with the dissolved-solids content from 1.2 to 2.1 g/l and the temperature, from 16 to 18C. All the aquifers and aquifer systems in the Seystan Depression are recharged by surface water. In the northern piedmont area and in the south of the Chagay Mountain System, ground water is recharged owing to water vapour condensation and atmospheric precipitation. Recent alluvial deposits in river valleys constitute intervals of the section through which surface water percolates and feeds underlying aquifers. The recharge in the Helmand Rod area between the Darweshan and Chaharburjak gauging stations amounts to 0.17 m3/s per one kilometre of the channel length, with allowance for evaporation. Direct hydraulic relationships between surface and ground waters and between aquifers have been established in the region. The ground water flows south-westwards.

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Chapter 8 MINERAL AND COMMERCIAL WATERS

The complicated geological structure, as well as peculiar geochemical, hydrogeological, and climatic conditions in Afghanistan, have predetermined the accumulation of extremely diverse types of mineral and commercial waters having considerable resources (4; 82; 83; 89; 24 ).

MINERAL WATERS
Mineral waters can be classified by origin and composition into those formed (I) under metamorphism, (II) in reduction, and (III) oxidation environment (Table 20). I. Carbonated (locally nitrous-carbonated) cold and thermal waters in deep-seated fault zones. II (a) Nitrous thermal water of the major fault zones confined to the contact zones of granite batholites; (b) thermal sulphur water of oil-and-gas-bearing structures. III (a) Water in gypsiferous and salt-bearing deposits; (b) water with a low pH, related to oxidation zones of sulphide mineral deposits. The distribution of the regions with mineral ground water is presented on the sketch map which is based on the tectonic map of the country (74) and a great many of field data, collected by the author and other investigators when studying the geochemistry of ground water in Afghanistan.

Regional distribution of sources of carbonated and thermal nitrous waters In keeping with the schematic maps showing tectonic zones and distribution of sources of carbonated and nitrous thermal waters, which are principal as to occurrence and resources, the following belts can be distinguished and further subdivided into zones and subzones: The Main Hari Rod - Badakhshan Mineral Water Belt The Main Hari Rod - Badakhshan Mineral Water Belt is located in the Afghanistan-South Pamir Region, more particularly in a system of faults feathering the major Hari Rod, Qarghanaw and Central Badakhshan faults. The Main Belt is subdivided, from west to east, into the Herat, Panjaw-Gorband-Panjsher, and Badakhshan zones. The Helmand-Argandab Mineral Water Belt The Helmand-Argandab Mineral Water Belt is confined to the Helmand-Argandab Uplift and functions owing to the presence of regional faults (Mukur-Tarnak Rode and Helmand faults and the respective feathering faults). The belt may be readily divided into three zones parallel to the principal deep faults; the Helmand, Mukur Tarnak-Rode and Tirin-Azdar. The Farah Rod Belt The Farah Rod Belt is located within the Farah Rod Trough, being related to the Pasaband Fault Zone. A system of nitrous thermal water discharge is confined to the south-west and of the belt. The Dari Rod Carbonated Water Zone The Dari Rod Carbonated Water Zone has been distinguished in Southern Afghanistan (Fig. 14). North of the Main Belt, mineral waters show no zonation and are confined to the margin of the Northern Afghanistan Platform. The mineral waters are confined to faults joining the zones of the major Hari Rod and Central Badakhshan faults. An area of sulphur thermal water has been singled out in the region of oil-andgas bearing structures on the platform.

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The following principal regularities are typical of the areas containing mineral waters: (1) mineral water zones not included into the Main Belt trend toward the Main Belt; they are related to faults and finally join the belt; (2) in areas where faults representing mineral water discharge conduits join the Main Belt peculiar structural "swells" bearing principal carbonated mineral water resources are formed (the area of junction of the Qarghanaw and Helmand faults); (3) an increase in the dissolved-solids and free carbon dioxide content toward the Main Belt of mineral waters is characteristic of the mineral water belts and zones. With a decrease in carbon dioxide and dissolved-solids content toward the periphery of the general discharge system, the nitrogen and silicic acid content of mineral waters gradually increases, as does water temperature.

I. Mineral Waters in Zones of Metamorphism (Carbonated Waters)

The Herat Zone The Herat Zone. In the country's extreme north-west, the belt begins with thermal brines in the vicinity of Balta Xay and Goshugi (89). The brines are confined to minor faults and a slight carbon dioxide emission is observed here. The water appears to be mineralized mainly by the salts from Paleogene terrigenous rocks. Carbonated brines of deep origin are also possible (Table 21). Farther to the east in the zone, typical carbonated water occurs in the Darah-i-Khushk River Basin. The water strongly evolves carbon dioxide, has the dissolved-solids content as high as 7 g/l, and forms travertine (Table 21). After a certain break, the zone manifests itself as the Abi nitrous thermal springs which farther to the east, in the vicinity of Chashte-Sharif, are followed by carbonated water (Table 21). In the south of the zone, the carbonated water is discharged in the south-western stretch of the Qarghanaw Fault; nitrous thermal water of the Ab-i-Garm springs outflows only at the south-western end of the fault. The Panjaw-Gorband-Panjsher Zone The Panjaw-Gorband-Panjsher Zone, unique in extent, resources and chemical composition of carbonated water has been outlined at the junction of two mineral water belts of Afghanistan, namely the Main: and Helmand-Argandab belts. The zone stretches in the area of convergence of the country's major structures. In keeping with the encountered carbonated water types, the zone is subdivided into three subzones: PanjawBande Amir, Qala-Garband-Turkman, and Andarab-Panjsher. The Panjaw - Bande Amir Subzone In the subzone cold and warm carbonated mineral waters mainly of the bicarbonate-chloride-calcium-sodium type are widespread (Table 21). Their dissolved-solids content amounts to 3 g/l and pH depends mainly on the presence of free carbon dioxide, ranging from 6.1 to 6.5. The CO2 content is substantial (up to 4 g/l). Many microelements are present in the water. Li, Ba, Sr, Be, Ge, Fe, Ti, Ni, Co, Y, Yb, and locally Rb, Cs, Cu, Pb, and P are present in anomalous amounts. Springs discharging much carbonated water are fairly numerous in the subzone. Many discharge sites (Khwaja-Quch, Ghor-Ghori, and others) may be classed is carbonated water reservoirs. Travertine sheets are formed near springs. The Qala-Gorband-Turkman Subzone The Qala-Gorband-Turkman Subzone is unique as to the abundance of springs, diversity of the chemical composition, and. concentration of the constituents. The composition of waters inherits the metallogenic characters of all the ore-formation epochs manifested in the area. The basic types of these waters occur in the Gala valley, where several tens of thermal springs actively evolve carbon dioxide, being extremely rich in rare alkalis Ge, Be, B, As, and Fe, and high concentrations of Ag, Zn, Pb, Ba, Sr, TR, and Sc. As to the Li, Rb, Cs, B and Ge contents, the waters may be considered of commercial value. They are mostly of the chloride-bicarbonate-sodium or chloride-sodium types, with the dissolved-solids content of up to 6 g/l. The concentration of free carbon dioxide amounts to 35 g/l (Table 21). In this subzone, carbonated brines of unique composition have been found to underlie the Rode Namakab River basin. They have the dissolved-solids content of over 50 g/l, including 16 mg/l Cs, more than 50 mg/l Li, 30 mg/l Rb, up to 3,500 mg/l B, and much of Be, Ge, Ba, Pb, Ag and Ga.

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In the Andarab Subzone In the Andarab Subzone processes responsible for carbonated water formation were much less active as compared with those in the previous subzone. In spite of the fact that some springs have high concentrations of rare alkalis, there observed is a decrease in the dissolved-solids, carbon dioxide, and microelement contents. Nitrous thermal water springs are known in the contact zones of granitic rocks. The Badakhshan Zone The Badakhshan Zone has been studied insufficiently. It is evident, however, that carbonated water here are much more limited in extent as compared with the other zones of the belt. Sparsely distributed springs with poorly mineralized water evolve little free carbon dioxide; hence only thin sheets of old travertine are observed near them. Nitrous warm and hot springs (Baba-Tangi) and thermal sulphur springs (Sare-Gilian) are known on the margin of the belt near the USSR-Afghanistan State Border. Carbonated Water of the Helmand-Argandab Belt Carbonated water springs are widely distributed in the area where the belt under discussion joins the Main Belt. Nitrous and nitrous-carbonated thermal waters are abundant at the south-west end of the belt. The Mukur-Tarnak-Rode Zone The Mukur-Tarnak-Rode Zone runs along the Mukur-Tarnak Rode Fault, being traced by typically carbonated springs (Table 21) with water enriched in rare alkalis and other components reflecting the metallogeny of the deep parts of the South Afghanistan Median Mass. The Helmand Zone The Helmand Zone follows the Helmand Fault. In the north-east, in the area of convergence with the Main Belt, the carbonated water is similar in composition to that in the Panjaw-Bande Amir Subzone (Table 21). The south-western extension of the Helmand Zone has not been studied yet. The Tirin-Azdar Zone The Tirin-Azdar Zone occurs between two major granitic batholiths, Helmand and Argandab. Basically, the carbon dioxide, dissolved-solids contents of springs and the diversity of the microelements present in them, tend to increase toward the Main Mineral Water Belt to the north-east. In the south-eastern direction, the dissolved-solids content and the amount of free carbon dioxide decrease, while the water discharge, the temperature, and the silicic acid content increase, the water becoming thermal nitrous, often with carbon dioxide. The same zonation is also observed in the cross section of the zone, i.e. the occurrence of nitrous springs is increasingly probable toward the contacts with granitic batholiths. Carbonated Waters of the Farah Rod Belt In the north-eastern part of the belt, carbonated waters are localized in the Pasaband Fault Zone. The discharge rate increases toward the Main Belt. The carbonated springs are characterized by a low CO2 content, low temperatures, and poor ability to precipitate travertine. The waters are mainly of the bicarbonate-calcium type and contain a relatively narrow range of microelements (Table 21). On the southwestern periphery of the belt, these waters pass into nitrous and siliceous thermal waters. Carbonated Waters of the Dari Rod Belt The carbonated waters of this belt are confined to practically east-west-trending faults at the south end of the South Afghanistan Median Mass. Two types of carbonated chloride-sodium brines are characteristic of the belt. The first type are thermal brines discharged under pressure and evolving carbon dioxide. They form travertines with table salt (pH= 6.0 to 6.2). The second type are cold brines evolving the gas less actively, discharged at a moderate rate in present-day valleys, and precipitating calcium carbonate in small quantities (pH = 7.8 to 8.0). Both types contain huge amounts of rare alkalis and B and anomalous quantities of Sr, TR, Th, and Ba. The carbonated waters of the belt are associated with numerous aragonite deposits as shown by their areal extent and microelement composition. 89

II. Mineral Waters Formed in Reduction Environment

This group comprises two types of mineral water: thermal nitrous and sulphur. The former is mainly issued from granitic rocks of Cretaceous-Paleogene age; the latter, from oil-and--gas-bearing structures of the North Afghanistan Platform. Nitrous Thermal Waters Nitrous thermal water springs are areally interrelated with carbonated water springs and occasionally contain some carbon dioxide derived from deep metamorphic zones. Their distribution pattern is in conformity with the general zonation of mineral waters (Fig. 14). The nitrous thermal springs occur at the endo- or exocontacts of intrusives, or in the apical parts of the unexposed granite plutons (Tirin Aghdar Zone). All of them are heated to high temperature; therefore, many of them, may be classed as hot springs. Also, these springs discharge much water. The general composition of the nitrous thermal waters depends on the chemical composition of the overlying rocks, but commonly they are of the bicarbonate-sodium-calcium or sodium-magnesium type, with a fairly high pH (more than 7.5), the appreciable amount of silicic acid (up to n 100 mg/l) and the low dissolved-solids content (up to 1.0-1.5 g/l). The microelement composition of the waters commonly reflects the geochemical characteristics of the rocks in the near-contact parts of granitic massifs. The waters contain high concentrations of Mo, W, TR, Ge, Be, and Sn (Table 22). In the Main Belt, the nitrous thermal waters are related to k granitic rocks in its western part (Abi and Ab-iGarm springs ),virtually absent in the Panjaw-Gorband-Panjsher Zone, which is oversaturated with carbon dioxide, being poorly distributed only in the marginal Andarab-Panjsher Subzone, and observable in the Badakhshan Zone, where carbon dioxide does not practically concentrate in ascending fracture-type waters. These thermal waters manifest themselves most vividly in the north-east being confined to the Wakhan granitic rocks (Baba-Tangi and other massifs). No doubt, these waters are confined in the Helmand-Argandab Belt to the apical parts of the Helmand and Argandab plutons and to similar massifs, not yet eroded , at the south-eastern end of the Tirin-Azdar Zone. In the Farah Rod Belt, such springs are encountered at its south-western and, near Farah. Two springs (Nos. 131 and 133, App. 8) are known within the platform. We repeat that towards the periphery of the faults, typically carbonated water springs in zones of metamorphism, characteristic of the central and deepest parts of faults, are followed by typically nitrous (often siliceous) thermal water springs functioning entirely in reduction environment (Fig. 14). Sulphur Waters Springs with a small amount of hydrogen sulphide occur within the Main carbonated water belt. In the Panjaw-Gorband-Panjsher Zone, these are typically carbonated springs with hydrogen sulphide smell (Lolenj, Tara), In the Badakhshan Zone, where the water contains little carbon dioxide, hydrogen sulphide is the principal gas component (Sare-Gilyan Spring, Table 23). Several sulphur springs issuing from faults in the vicinity of oil-and-gas-bearing structures are the most typical. The water in the springs evolving, much carbon dioxide in addition to hydrogene and precipitating travertine is hot. The springs contain a variety of microelements represented by Li, Ga, Ti, Cr, Sc, Be, Ba, Pb, Zn, Ag, As. Some of them have commercial concentration of lithium (Table 23)

III. Mineral Waters Formed in Oxidation Environment

The waters of this type form in the zone of hypergenesis. They are derived from oxidation of sulphide deposits or organic matter in rocks, or from leaching salts contained in the rocks. Springs issuing from sulphide ore oxidation zones (Table 24) most often occur in ore bearing areas. They are cold, have a low pH, a high sulphate content, and anomalous concentrations of elements characteristic of sulphide ores. Some of them contain elements (Si, Ti, Cr, Si, etc.) leaching from surrounding rocks. The springs have small flow rates, and the water in some of them has uncommon chemical composition (Table 24). The

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greatest number of springs issuing from sulphide ore oxidation zones is known in the Argandab-Tirin Metallogenic Zone. Mineral water springs issuing from salt bearing and gypsiferous deposits owe their chemical composition to salts leached from these deposits. This leads to the formation of brackish and saline (sometimes brine) waters of the sulphate-calcium, chloride-sodium or mixed type. The waters are cold and contain few microelements (mainly those abundant in the Earth's crust; Si, Al, Ti, and Fe). The discharges of springs rarely exceed 1 l/s. The waters of this type are commonly associated with salt beds, and also with saliferous strata of Paleogene, Neogene and Quaternary ages. Origin of Mineral Waters The principal factors governing the manifestation of any type of mineral water are: (a) high neotectonic activity in a region: creating conduits necessary for water migration; (b) recent magmatic activity resulting in the formation of carbonated water near the magma chamber and nitrous thermal water in the near-contact parts of intrusives; and (c) the difference between the elevations of mineral water recharge and discharge areas enough to build up substantial hydrostatic head. Owing to the above factors, a single water pressure system with high hydrostatic heads is formed, which makes possible water motion to magma chambers responsible for the specific composition of the mineral waters present at high temperature and pressure, with the subsequent rise of water and gas through faults to the land surface. An important process governing the chemical composition of the discharged mineral waters is their mixing with fresh fracture waters mainly at the margins of metamorphic centres and nearby. Carbonated water is formed in case the bulk of fresh water percolating from the high-elevation ranges reaches young magmatic chambers. When fresh water from these ranges gains access to the near-contact parts of intrusions, nitrous thermal waters are formed. The mineral waters of such an origin exhibit certain features of their percolating genesis. The indicator of water origin that is best survived under various geochemical conditions is the isotopic ratio, namely the abundance of D and 18O isotopes. Juvenile water has 18O ranging from + 5.5 to +5.6) [Footnote: 18O of ocean water is assumed not to exceed zero.], while atmospheric water has 18O ranging from -5 to -1.7. An isotopic analysis of the most typical carbonated waters in the Central Panjaw-GorbandPanjahar Zone, with a wide range of the elements having maximum concentrations, has shown the followingr 18O values (Table 25); Table shows that carbonated waters are mainly of an infiltration origin. This is all the more true of the nitrous thermal springs, which are characterized by shallower depths of formation and migration. In zones of metamorphic chambers impact, at high temperature and pressure, water is saturated with CO2 and becomes exceedingly aggressive, capable of leaching, in the course of migration, the enclosing rocks having rare metal mineralization. The water becomes enriched primarily with the elements that are highly mobile in the aqueous phase (Li, Rb, Cs, B), those forming durable carbonate complexes in case of carbonate media (Be, TR, U, Sc) or those forming durable anion complexes of the acid residue type (As, Ge). Nitrous thermal waters formed at shallower depths has no aggressive component like free carbon dioxide. Nevertheless, their microelement composition reflects the specificity of late magmatic processes resulting in high temperature mineralization (Be, W, Mo, Sn, etc.) which is especially typical of the apical portions of intrusions.

The Metallogenic Aspects of Mineral-Water Geochemistry In the light of the above concepts of the mechanism of formation of the mineral water composition, it is evident that mineral water must reflect the particular metallogeny of an ore district. Rare metal pegmatite mineralization is probably the most significant metallogenic feature of Afghanistan's median masses with extensive carbonated water discharge areas on their periphery. Pegmatite mineralization is particularly widespread in the Nurestan-Pamir Median Mass where pegmatite fields are known of unique 91

extent incorporating Lithium, rubidium, cesium, boron, and beryllium mineralization. Lithium mineralization is also typical of pegmatitic fields of the South Afghanistan Median Mass. Lithium, rubidium, and cesium in carbonated mineral waters occur in appreciable amount in springs issuing from faults bounding the South Afghanistan Median Mass, indicating the possibility for the basement to be saturated with rare alkalis. The relation of the chemical composition of mineral waters to metallogenic zones is shown in Fig.14. The wide distribution of carbonated thermal waters and even carbonated brines with high concentrations of microelements suggests that these waters are remnants of a recent powerful hydrothermal process which has resulted in the saturation of the rocks with carbonate ions and, therefore, elements forming carbonate complexes. It is also interesting to note that in the vicinity of the largest ore districts and mineral deposits of different genetic types major carbonated thermal springs are still functioning: Qala springs in the area of the Hajigak mineral deposit, Gorband and Lolenj springs in the Farenjal ore district, and Awparan springs in the Aynak mineralized area. Carbonated water is discharged not far from the Bakhud fluorite deposit, in the area of the Sang-i-Lang barite deposit, and just at the Malekdokand and Arbu aragonite deposits, where the genetic connection between the mineral water and ore deposits is obvious. Thus, the largest mineral deposits of Afghanistan have actually been mentioned above. It is obvious that the areal and genetic relationship between mineralization and carbonated water discharge areas is very close. This conclusion is confirmed also by the data in Table 26 shoving that the characteristic elements of an ore deposit are always present in anomalous concentrations in carbonated waters migrating close to the deposit. While regarding carbonated waters as remnant product of the Alpine hydrothermal activity, one should admit the significant role played in the hydrothermal solutions by free carbon dioxide and carbonate ions in general. Carbon dioxide is a major mineral component of the discharging carbonated water springs. The hydrothermal process during the Neogene-Quaternary activity probably involved the elements that tend to form stable carbonate compounds transported by carbonate hydrothermal solutions. Such elements are: TR, U, Th, Ba, Sr and Ca. The carbonate complexes with fairly high constants of stability are known for such truly chalcophile elements as lead and copper. For example, the pK value of the stability constant approaches 10 for carbonate anionegenous complexes of the M/CO3/2 -2 type. The Neogene-Quaternary activity has thus given rise in Afghanistan to barite, strontium, uranium, thorium, rare earths, and beryllium mineralization of commercial value. Barite ore occurs at Sang-i-Lan and Farenjal deposits; uranium-thorium-rare-earth mineralization with barite and strontianite is the product of the volcanic and post-volcanic activity within the Khanneshin structure. The Aynak copper ores contain scandium, beryllium, and rare earths, which apparently have precipitated there as a result of young hydrothermal activity whose traces are found in the thermal carbonated water springs of Awparen, where water and travertine have very high concentrations of these elements. Quite high concentrations of rare earths, strontium, and beryllium precipitated from thermal carbonate solutions have been detected in aragonite deposits in the south of Afghanistan. In the area of the Farenjal ore district, galena has been found in travertine. This does not rule out a possibility of galenite and calcite simultaneous precipitation provided that sufficient quantities of hydrogen sulphide and, consequently, hydrosulphide ions are present in carbonated springs and lead carbonate complexes are decomposed. Summarizing the data on the elemental composition of mineral waters formed in different environments, one may arrive at the basic conclusion that mineral waters always have some features of metallogeny characteristic of the zone where they occur.

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MINERAL WATERS OF COMMERCIAL VALUE

Natural waters with high concentrations of rare elements, being locally of commercial value, have currently aroused great interest. The components of commercial value are rare alkalis, boron, germanium, iodine, bromine, etc. As recent hydrochemical studies have shown, rare elements in Afghanistan concentrate in fractured carbonate rocks in mountainous areas and in mineral-water lakes some of which are fed by carbonated waters ascending along faults.

Carbonated Waters Bearing Commercial Concentrations of Rare Elements These waters occur mainly at the junction of the Main and Helmand-Argandab mineral water belts. It is in the Qala-Gorband-Turkman Subzone that a unique fracture carbonated cold and thermal water basin has been formed. This basin comprises more than 30 springs discharging from 0.01 to 3.5 l/s and containing the following microelements: Li, Rb, Cs, B, Ge, Be, As, and Fe, of which the first four (and probably Ge) have concentrations of commercial value. Table 27 shows the characteristics of individual springs. The fairly high concentrations of rare. alkalis and boron in the water, substantial density of discharge sites over a small area, and large total discharge open up prospects for integrated use of these springs for industrial and therapeutic purposes. At present, the total discharge of springs in the Qala area amounts to about 10 l/s. With the approximate average content of 10 mg/l Li, 2 mg/l Rb, 2 mg/l Cs, and 450 mg/l BO2, the annual reserves of these components in kilogrammes are: 3,153 Li, 630 Rb, 630 Cs and 38,700 BO2. Moreover, according to Y.V. Kurennoi and V.I. Belyanin, the total discharge to the Qala Valley amounts to 180 l/s; hence much greater extraction is possible provided that additional capture measures are taken. One should pay attention to a group of springs at the mouth of the Namakab River (the Qala-GorbandTurkman Subzone) having very high concentrations of Li, Rb, Cs, and B, which surpass all known world concentrations of these elements in water except the Salton Sea area in the USA. Springs with commercial concentrations of rare alkalis have also been discovered in the Dari Rod carbonated mineral water zone. There, at aragonite deposits, carbonated brines containing 20-45 mg/l Li, 1.0-3.9 mg/l Rb, 0.5-0.6 mg/l Cs, and 400-500 mg/l B, are discharged. Springs issuing from a recently formed travertine ridge contain 15.0 mg/l Li, 3.0 mg/l Rb, and 2.5 mg/l Cs (Appendix 8).

Commercial Concentrations of Rare elements in Mineral Water Lakes The elements whose salts are highly soluble (primarily B and Li) may concentrate in mineral water lakes of continental type under arid climate conditions. Brines containing rare elements in commercial quantities are formed owing to two principal factors: (a) presence of the metallogenic environment favourable for intense concentration of valuable elements in rocks from which they come to gild and water; and (b) arid climate. There are several lakes in Afghanistan that are filled with brines having higher than normal concentrations of rare elements. Lake Ab-i-Eatoda is a depression 145 km2 in area. Prospecting pits in the bottom of the lake penetrated a layer of black plastic calcareous sapropel clay, as thick as 0.5-0.7 m, grading downward into grey blue laminated calcareous clay 1.5 m thick. Brine samples have been taken along the perimeter of the mean floodlevel delineating an area of about 100 km2. The general chemical composition and the dissolved-solids content of water are given in the following formula: M46 = Cl 94 HCO3 5 SO4 1 Na 97 Mg 3. 93

In addition to B and Li the microelements F, Zn, Pb, Cu, Cd, and Be have been found. A prospecting pit sunk 50 m off the shore, found brines containing 100 mg/l BO2. 100 m off the shore, in the same direction, the SO2 concentration rose up to 350 mg/l. It is necessary to study brines in the central part of the lake, where the SO2 contents are expected to increase. An analysis has shown that Ab-i-Estoda Lake clay contains more than 1 % boron. Since the lake is vast (about 100 km2 in area), the reserves of boron bearing brines are undoubtedly of commercial value. An assemblage of other microelements found in the water suggests the formation of aluminium-boron silicated and probably lead-zinc deposits at a shallow depth. The lake seems to have also appreciable reserves of medicinal mud. Special research should be carried out to specify its reserves. Lake Sar-i-Namak is a small depression covered by a thin layer of recent loath and sandy loam. To recover salt the locals dig shallow pits as deep as 1 m, into which a chloride-sodium brine with up to 3% Mg flows and evaporates under natural conditions. A large quantity of free carbon dioxide has been found in the brine. A spectral analysis of the salt has shown the presence of 0.02% Li and a high concentration of B. The lithium content of the brine amounts to 350 mg/l. A special concentrate prepared for microelement analysis has shown the presence of high Fe, Al, Ti, Cu, and As contents. The large carbon dioxide quantity in the brine suggests the feeding of the depression from depth by carbonated lithium-bearing water flowing from a fault. The connection of the Sar-i-Namak depression with a deep-seated salt deposit cannot be ruled out. Possibility of a commercial utilization of Li and B from the Namaksar-Herat Lake should also be investigated. In conclusion, we can say that Afghanistan is a country having vast prospects for carbonated, nitrous, and sulphur thermal waters and rare-metal waters of commercial value.

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Chapter 9 CATALOGUE OF MINERAL DEPOSITS, OCCURRENCES, SHOWINGS, AND MECHANICAL MINERALOGICAL HALOES
This chapter gives a short description of all the mineral deposits, occurrences, and mechanical mineralogical haloes known in Afghanistan before January 1, 1977. Each of the given description is provided with a serial number referred to one or two neighboring quadrangles on 1:500,000 scale. Accordingly, these numbers are plotted on the Map of Mineral Resources of Afghanistan, scale 1:500,000, and on the maps of mineral deposits and occurrences at a scale of 1:4,000,000 (Annexes Nos. 2-6, 9). In this chapter we use the administrative division of the country as per 1972 (Fig.15).

GROUP I

FUELS

1. Oil and Gas

Oil Deposits 16/200-III Angot, Jawz-Jan Province, 3612'18" 3622'00"N, 6559'08" 6602'00" E. The oil pool is trapped by an asymmetric brachyanticline which has an area of 3.3 x 1.8km on the top of the Hauterivian and an amplitude of 90 m. The pool is bedded, dome-shaped, and tectonically screened. The pay bed of Hauterivian age consists of sandstone. Its porosity varies between 11.1 and 28.2% and permeability between 6.2 and 798.6 mdarcy. The oil is heavy (0.888-0.917 g/cm3), poorly viscous, with low sulphur (0.85-2.59%) and paraffin (2.12 - 6.4%) contents; its light end-product yield is as much as 75.83%. The oil is mixed, paraffin-naphthenic The dissolved gas contains 73.6% to 83% CO2 and up to 12.5% gaseous hydrocarbons. The total reserves are 7,204 thousand tonnes, the recoverable reserves are 2,160 thousand tonnes (3). 20/200-III Aq Durys, Jawz-Jan Province, 3605'N, 6602'E. The deposit occurs within a 3.5 x 1.5-1km anticline with an amplitude of 150 m. Its pay beds are of Albian and Hauterivian age. The Albian pool is bedded, dome-shaped, its structural closure being 62 m. The Hauterivian pool is dome-shaped and massive, its maximum thickness being 45 m. The Albian bed is composed of sandstone and siltstone; its porosity la in the range from 13 to 17% and permeability, from 1.4 to 5.7 mdarcy. The Hauterivian bed is made up of sandstone and siltstone; its porosity varies between 14 and 24% and permeability, between 8.8 and 129.1 mdarcy. The Hauterivian oil has a density of 0.923 g/cm3 and viscosity of 25.8 oST, it contains much sulphur (2.9%) and resin, 32.2% light fractions and 10.4 m3/m3 gas. The dissolved gas (87.92% CO2) us heavy (specific gravity by air is 1.456) and contains 6.78% methane and 4.14% nitrogen. The Albian oil has a density of 0.823 and viscosity from 3.65 to 3.69 aST; it contains 0.93% sulphur, 32.2% light fraction, and 3.01 to 3.23 m3 /m3 gas. The dissolved gas contains 78.06% methane, 11.86% nitrogen, 0.15% carbon dioxide, and up to 9.8% heavy hydrocarbons. Its specific gravity by air is 0.702. Recoverable reserves are 1,882 thousand tonnes. The Kashkari deposit, 3603'N, 6555'E, is restricted to an anticlinal fold, 6.2 x 1.0km in area, with an amplitude of 180 m Commercial oil yields have been obtained from Hauterivian sediments, and some oil from the Albian (2). Indications 2/100-IV Ass, Jaws-Jan Province, 3643'N, 6532'E. When testing Upper Jurassic sediments with an open hole, No. 2 well obtained mineralized water with condensate. When testing through production string at 1553 m, a 170 1/day inflow of condensate was obtained (2). 9/100-IV Khwaja Talbuldak, Jawz-Jan Province, 3606'N, 6523 'E. Lower Cretaceous sandstone, which is exposed from under Neogene sediments, are saturated with oxidized oil. In a nearby spring, a continuous seepage is observed of thick oxidized oil and hydrogen-sulphide water (18).

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11/100-IVAlmalek, Jawz-Jan Province, 3600'N, 6549'E. A spring with a strong hydrogen sulphide smell is associated with Lower Cretaceous sediments. Here, oil with the specific gravity of 0.95 g/cm3 is discharged with water (18). 1/200-III Mohammad Jandaghar, Samangan Province, 3654'N, 6722'30''E. The core taken from a depth of 880 m (No. 1 well) consists of limestone with oxidized oil films. No. 2 well produced gas in the mud from a 660-741 m interval, and its core, which is composed of Eocene marl, contains oxidized oil films. Tests of Palaeocene beds gave an inflow of stratal water and 1 cu m of thick resinous oil (18). 2/200-III Ghanj, Samangan Province, 3652'N, 6731'30''E. Wells Nos 1 and 2 produced water inflow with drops of thick resinous oil from Palaeocene carbonates, and the Santonian yielded oil drops in the mud (18). 6/200-III Kartar, Qunduz Province, 3641'N, 6842'E. The core obtained from Bukharian limestone and marl contains brown oil films; there has also been lifted core made up of Albian bituminous marl, and the drilling mud discharged gas and contained oil films (18). 8/200-III Koh-i-Alburs, Balkh Province, 3636'N, 6636'E. In the process of drilling through Albian deposits. Well No. 1 encountered a considerable inflow of stratal water with gas containing 86.4% methane. Well No. 2 penetrated Valanginian siltstone interbedded with condensate-saturated sandstone, while No. 3 well was drilled through sandstone with several. oil-saturated layers. Testing these deposits produced an inflow of stratal water with oil films (18). 12/200-III Bayangor, Jawz-Jan Province, 3630'N, 6602'30"E. The core obtained from the Hauterivian sandstone contains bitumen sinter. Moreover, testing the deposits gave an inflow of gas-bearing stratal water with oil films. The methane content is 75% (18). 13/200-III Khamyshly, Jawz-Jan Province, 3627'N, 6601'E. The core from No. 1 well is Hauterivian bituminous sandstone; its test yielded an inflow of stratal water with oil films. Up to 15 l. of oil concentrated in the annular space during this test (18). 17-200-III Sheram, Jawz-Jan Province, 2616'30''N, 6620'E. Bitumen was noted in Senomanian - Turonian deposits at 1061-1178 m and 1044-4165 m intervals while penetrating then by No. 1 well. The mud used in this well contained oil films (18). 18/200-III Char Sai, Jawz-Jan Province, 3615'30''N, 6615'30''E. Oil-saturated sandstone of Hauterivian age was drilled through at 1062-1178 m and 1044-1165 m intervals (18). 94/200-IV Khanabad, Takhar Province, 3648'N, 6908'E. Cuttings of Senonian sediments show much bitumen (18). 24/400-I Tirpul, Herat Province, 34'35'N, 6116'E. The occurrence is localized in terrigenous sediments of Eocene age. A bed of bituminous, poorly cemented conglomerate was found in a pit at a depth of 1.5 m. The bitumen is black and hard, with asphaltite, and contains 87.67% C, 10.68%H, 1.56 %S, and 1.11% N+O. In the same pit, an oil-saturated conglomerate bed, 10 to 15 cm thick, occurs at a depth of 2.5 m. A gravel bed, 10 to 15 cm thick, with which a spring discharging 2 m3 oil-containing water per day is associated, occurs at a depth of 3.8 m. The oil is heavy, strongly oxidized, containing no light products (18). 4/400-II Jiggin, Faryab Province, 3545'N, 6418'E. Siltstone and sandstone of Aptian age were found in two wells. The former is saturated with liquid oil, the latter is cut by fractures filled with thick oxidised oil (18).

Gas Pools 3/100-IV Juma, Jawz-Jan Province, 3642'N, 6527'E. Well No. 2 was drilled through Upper Jurassic sequence at a 3356-3409 m interval, which produced dry gas freely discharging at a rate of 1,864 thousand m3/day. The pool is being explored (6). 4/100-IV Yatim Tag, Jawz-Jan Province, 3642'08" - 3640'30''N, 6554'04'' - 6558'04''E. The sequence of this deposit contains six bedded and dome-shaped gas pools of commercial value. As per 1963, the pools 96

have the following reserve classification into categories: 38.5 mln cu m in Senonian deposits (Cat. B), 105.3 mln cu m in Cenomanian deposits (Cat.C1); 271.1 mln cu m in Albion deposits (Cat. C1); and 20,850.0 mln cu m in Hauterivian deposits (Cat. C1). As per January 1, 1973, the Upper Jurassic pool contains 121.0 mln cu m of Cat. C1 gas and 468.0 mln cu mof Cat. C2 gas. The total gas reserves are 21,920 mln cu m. Sulphur reserves are divided into 7.4 thousand tonnes for C1. and 28.8 thousand tonnes for Cat. C2 (7). 6/100-IV Jarkuduk, Jawz-Jan Province, 3633'52'' - 3630'00''N, 6538'44" - 6546'24"E. There are a workable gas pool, 35 sq km2 in area, in Hauterivian deposits and a gas pool, with an oil margin, in Upper Jurassic carbonate rocks. In the Upper Jurassic, the gas-bearing interval is 60 m; in in the east block, 140 m. Gas of the workable pool in the Hauterivian deposit contains 84.82 to 99.22% methane. The gas in dry, the methane homologs constituting not more than 2.00%. Apart from hydrocarbons, it contains 4.04 to 9.51% carbon dioxide, 0,0 to 1.65% nitrogen plus rare gases, 0.0 to 2.65 g/cu cm hydrogen sulfide, and 10.9 g/cu cm condensate. As per February 1, 1973, the Cat. C1 gas reserves are 30,911 mln cu m and the Cat. C2 gas reserves are 162 mln cu m The reserves of sulphur are 28.6 thous, tonnes (Cat. C1), and recoverable condensate amounts to 252.8 thous, tonnes (Cat. C1) and Cat. 2 and 1.4 thousand tonnes (18). 7/100-IV Khwaja-Bulan, Jawz-Jan Province, 3629'23'' - 3630' 3630'12''N, 6555'48" - 6558'57''E. The pool is 9.8 sq km in area, at the top of the Hauterivian. It is dome-shaped and is surrounded by thin oil. The gas-bearing closure is 71 m. The workable gas contains 92.6 to 93.4% methane, 2.0 to 2.1% ethane plus higher hydrocarbons, 0.7 to 2.4% nitrogen, 0.9 to 2.5% carbon dioxide, and 0.0 to 0.45% hydrogen sulphide. Its specific gravity varies from 0.590 to 0.592. The Cat. B gas reserves are 2,529,129 thousand cu m. Oil show - petrol odor in the core from Valenginian deposits and gas inflow of marginal commercial value from Jurassic, Aptian, Albian, and Cenomanian deposits - were also found at the deposit (57). 7/200-III Khawaja Gogerdak, Jawz-Jan Province, 3640'34" - 3641'34''N, 6551'21" - 6602'37"E. Six workable gas pools were found in the area in Callovian-Oxfordian, Hauterivian, Aptian, and Albian deposits. The relative specific gravity of gas is between 0.661 and 0.677. The gas from Hauterivian deposits contain 95.6 to 98.3% methane plus higher hydrocarbons, 3.0 to 5.5% nitrogen plus rare gases, 0.9 wgt% carbon dioxide, 0.3 to 0.7 wgt% oxygen, and no hydrogen sulfide. As per January 1, 1973, the total gas reserves (Cat. B+C1+C2) were 67,368 mln cu m, including 48,480.3 mln cu m from Cretaceous deposits and 18,898 mln cu m from Upper Jurassic deposits (Sulphur reserves (Cat. C1+C2) are 846.1 thousand tonnes. The pool is under production, its gas being used in chemical industry (nitrogen fertilizer plant at Mazare Sharif) (7). Indications 29/200-III Duranisaw, Samangan Province, 3601' N, 6903'E. Gas emanations are present over an area of 200 sq m. from both small water springs and fractures in limestone. The limestone is slightly "burned" and oil stained where the gas evolves, a slight smell of crude oil or gasoline being felt near its exposures (129). 107/200-IV Ghar Tobi, Takhar Province, 3636'30"N, 6930'30''E. A fuel gas show is observed in Middle Quaternary sediments overlying salt-gypsum rocks of Late Jurassic age (18). 400-II Khawja Char, Faryab Province, 3531'N, 6504'E. Fuel gas emanates from the fault zone in a brachyanticline involving Upper Cretaceous - Palaeocene marls (44).

2. Hard Fuels
Peat Deposits 45/500-III Nawe Deh, Ghazni Province, 3345'01"N 6746'E. Peat is restricted to Upper Quaternary to Recent sediments occurring over an area of 12 sq km. The peat is 1 to 1.5 m thick and is being worked manually (45).

97

Occurrences 2/300-III Yal-Kumak, Badakhshan Province, 3723'40"N, 7317'05"E. A peat bed, 30 to 40 cm thick, was found within a terrace above the flood plain which is built out of Quaternary sediments. The bed occurs over an area of 1.5km (73). 3/300-III Agazde Kol, Badakhshan Province. 3723'24"N, 7330'E. A peat with the producing zone of up to 40 cm thick was found within a terrace above the flood plain which is made up of Quaternary sediments. The bed occurs over an area of 2km (73). 7/300-III Besh Kunak, Badakhshan Province, 3720'55"N, 7322'33"E A peat bed was found in Quaternary sediments that form terrace above the flood plain. The producing zone, 45 cm thick, is distributed over an area of 5 sq km (73). 8/300-III Teger Mensu, Badakhshan, 3721'28"N, 7444'19"E. A 30 to 40 cm thick peat bed was found in Quaternary sediments in an area of 3-4 sq km (73). 11/300-III Andemin, Badakhshan, 3720'23"N, 7419'05''E. A 30 to 50 cm thick peat bed occurs in Quaternary sediments forming a terrace above the flood plain. The bed occurs over an area of 10 sq km (73). 12/300-III Bay-Tibat, Badakhshan Province, 3720'22''N, 7311'13''E. A 30 to 40 cm thick peat bed was found in Quaternary sediments in an area of 1 sq km (73). 14/300-III Qara-Jelga, Badakhshan Province, 3717'20"N, 7415'41''E. A 30 to 45 cm thick peat bed occurs in Quaternary sediments over an area of 1 sq km (73). 19/300-III Wakhan, Badakhshan Province, 3703'30''N, 7354'03"E. A 30 to 45 cm thick peat bed was reported from Quaternary sediments that form a terrace above the flood plain (73).

Lignite Occurrences 103/500-I Tazagol, Parwan Province, 3501'N, 6836'E. A lignite bed, 0.67 m thick, occurs in Neogene clay. The ash content of oxidized lignite ranges from 48.6 to 50.4% (104). 113/500-I Samykhel, Parwan Province, 3458'N, 6850'E. Two non-persistent lignite beds, 0.25 and 0.45 m thick respectively, were found in Neogene deposits. The lignite is transitive to long-flame coal. The lower bed, 0.45 m thick, was manually worked (104). 226/500-II Safed Koh, (Shinwar), Naugarhar Province, 3412'N, 7047'E. Layers and lenses of lignite, up to 40 cm thick and several metres to 1.5km in extension, occur in Neogene sandstone. The lignite has high mineral content its combustion heat varies between 4,000 and 5,000 Cal/kg (39).

Hard Coals Deposits 25/200-III Karkar, Baghlan, Province, 3601'57''N, 6846'36"E. Coals were found in Upper Jurassic deposits containing one workable seam whose thickness varies between 0.3 m and 10 m, the mean thickness being 2.4 m. The coals are rather high in vitrinite (Up to 74-82%) and are classified, by the grade of metamorphism, as gas coals. Their ash content varies between 9.0 and 18.1% and calorific value, between 6,972 and 7,886 Cal/kg. The deposit is being worked. The bed is exposed by underground workings for 550-650 m down the dip and for nearly 1,000 m along the strike (103). 26/200-III Dodkash, Baghlan Province, 3601'N, 6846'35"E. Coals occur in Upper Jurassic deposits containing one complex workable seam which ranges in thickness from 0.2 to 10 m, the mean thickness being 1.8 m. The coals are semi-dull to dull, tectonically crushed, containing much ash (26.89%) (Footnote 1. Average ash 98

content here and below is given in terms of dry fuel, percent.), and can be classified as gas coals. Speculative reserves are 1.3 mln tonnes. The deposit is being worked. The seam is exposed by underground workings for 400-500 m down the dip and 900 m along the strike (103). 41/400-II Majit-i-Chobi, Herat Province, 3436'N, 6309'30"E. Coals are restricted to Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits containing 17 coal seams four of which have the workable thickness varying between 0.6 and 1.93 m and are of complex structure. The coals contain much sulphur and are gas coals. The ash content is in the range from 5.5 to 38.6% and calorific value varies between 8,057 and 8,478 Cal/kg. The Cat. C1 + C2 reserves are 9.5 mln tonnes, including those under Cat. C1 equalling to 4.87 mln tonnes. The deposit has been worked since 1945 (94). 20/500-I Dahane Tor, Samangan Province, 3542'20''N, 6717'34"E. Coal seams of commercial value occur in Lower- Middle Jurassic deposits containing two closely spaced complex workable seams, 2.0 to 3.5 m thick. The gas seam can be used for coke production. The ash content is in the range from 18.2 to 25.4%, vitrinite content, from 58.4 to 71.1%; and total mineral content from 21 to 34%. It is moderately amenable to dressing. The speculative reserve, are 10 mln tonnes. The deposit is being worked (103). 23/500-I Sabbashak, Samangan Province, 3441'36''N, 6727'E. Lower - Upper Jurassic deposits contain 12 workable coal seams, from 0.8 to 3.15 m thick. Five lover coals can be coked. The seams contain from 3.27 to 31.7% ash and their calorific value varies between 7,620 and 8,250 Cal/kg. The overall coal reserves are 54 mln tonnes, including 20.7 mln tonnes of Cat. B+C1 coals or which 9.5 mln tonnes can be coked. The total coking coal reserves are 16.9 mln tonnes. (104). 25/500-I Darwaza, Samangan Province, 3540' 3542'N, 6723' 6727'E. The Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits contain 16 workable gas coal seams ranging in thickness from 0.68 m to 3.60 m. The coals can be used for coke production. The average ash content of individual seams varies between 21.7 and 38.5%. Speculative reserves are 20 mln tonnes of which coking coals constitute 15 mln tonnes (104). 29/500-I Lela, Samangan Province, 3538'30''N, 6710'35''E. The Lower - Middle Jurassic strata contain 15 workable non-persistent in thickness and structure seams, 0.65 to 2.8 m thick. The gas coals can be used for power production. Their ash content is in the range from 3.5 to 30%. The Zura occurrence is 4km south-west of the deposit. Here, two low-ash (3.8 to 11.8%) coal seams, 3.0 and 5.0 m thick, have been found in Middle Jurassic deposits (104). 37/500-I Sare-Assya, Samangan Province, 3533'42"N, 6733'28"E. The Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits contain 14 coal seams three of which are workable over the entire area of the deposit (their producing zone varies in thickness between 0.4 and 4.56 m). The gas coal can be used for power production. Their ash content is in the range from 9.5 to 27% and calorific value from 7,339 to 7,291 Cal/kg. Their Cat C1+C2 reserves are 5.8 mln tonnes, including 1.07 mln tonnes of Cat. C1 reserves (88). 76/500-I Eshpushta, Baghlan Province, 3619'37"N, 6805'29"E. The Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits contain five coal seams, 0.10 to 3.76 m thick, two of which are workable, 1.58 and 3.75 m thick. The seams are persistent bath in thickness and structure. The coals are severely crushed, are of gas coal rank, and contain, 2.5 to 41.33% ash. Their speculative reserves are 2.5 mln tonnes. The deposit is being worked. Two kilometres to the south-east, there has been discovered the South Eshpushta deposit. One complex coal seam is being worked now, its reserves being very small (94). Occurrences 10/100-IV Mirza Wolang, Javz-Jan Province, 3601'N, 6545'E. Coal-bearing deposits are Middle - Late Triassic in age.They contain four complex coal seams, 0.1 to 1.2 m thick. 13km to the west-north-west, the Pistamazar occurrence bas been discovered comprising three simple nonpersistent coal seams, 0.7 to 0.8 m thick, and one complex seam, 0.5 to 0.2 m thick. The coals are crushed, of lean coal rank, with the ash content from 14.3 to 35.1% and calorific value of 8.500 Cal/kg (104). 178/31/200-III Western Dodkash, Baghlan Province, 3600'30"N, 6846E. Coal-bearing deposits are Late Middle Jurassic in age. They contain 11 complex thin (0.10 to 1.15 m in thickness) non-persistent high-ash (30.32 to 50%) coal seams. The coals are gaseous (103).

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106/200-IV Farakhar, Takhar Province, 3637'51"N, 6943'16''E. A coal layer, 0.15 m thick, lies in Upper Jurassic deposits (94). 108/200-IV Kishaktan, Takhar Province, 3636'36"N, 6941'56"E. A composite coal seam, 2.44 thick, has been found in Upper Jurassic deposits. The coal contain from 13.3 to 19.6% ash and is coking coal. Its speculative reserves are 2 mln tonnes (103). 110/200-IV Roshaq, Takhar Province, 3635'25"N, 6940'52"E. Coal-bearing deposits are of Lower Jurassic age. They contain three complex coal seams workable over the thickness varying between 1.0 and 2.3 m. The coals contain 26.4 to 41.7% ash and are classified as fat and coking coals (103). 122/200-IV Zanburak, Takhar Province, 3631'25"N, 6934'42''E. Coal-bearing deposits are of Late - Middle Jurassic age. They contain six composite coal seams of variable thickness (the workable interval ranges from 0.69 to 1.53 m). The coals do not cake and contain from 11.83 to 33.9-45.6% ash. They are referred to as coking. (103). 123/200-IV Namakab, Takhar Province, 3631'04"N, 6941'16"E. A coal seam, which is complex in structure and whose workable interval is from 1.05 to 3.90 m, occurs in Upper Jurassic deposits. The coals contain very little ash (from 2.4 to 19.2%) do not cake, and are coking coals. Their speculative reserves are 5 mln tonnes (103). 124/200-IV Sangileshim, Takhar Province, 3630'49''N, 6936'13"E. Two simple thin (0.23 m) coal layers have been found in Upper Jurassic deposits (103). 125/200-IV Sayed 1, Takhar Province, 3630'32"N, 6933'32"E. A thin (0.15 m) coal layer was recorded from Lower -Middle Jurassic deposits (103). 126/200-IV Kalta-Tay, Takhar Province, 3630'22''E, 6930'31"E. (in Abdullah: 3630'11"N, 6929'20"E) A 0.20 m thick coal layer is observed in Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits (103) 127/200-IV Chai, Takhar Province, 3630'11"N, 6929'20"E. Coal-bearing deposits are of Early - Middle Jurassic age. They contain three thin (0.25 to 0.61 m thick) coal seams. The coals contain 20.0 to 37.8% ash and are classified as coking and lean coals. The seams were worked manually (103). 129/200-IV Zumgab, Tahkar Province, 3630'13"N, 6942'12"E. A 0.15 m thick coal layer occurs in Lower Middle Jurassic deposits (103). 130/200-IV Darrah-i-Colon, Tahkar Province, 3630N, 6931'10''E. Coal-bearing deposits are of Early Middle Jurassic age. They contain five complex thin (workable interval is from 0.34 to 0.86 m) coal seams. Three seams are of commercial value, their thickness being more than 0.6 m. The coals contain from 15.9 to 38.29% ash and are classified as coking and lean coals. The elementary composition of the coals are as follows: 81.6 to 82.6% C (calculated in terms of combustible matter) and 3.23 to 3.64% H (calculated in terms of combustible matter) (94) 131/200-IV Syadhara, Tahkar Province, 3630'03''N, 6929'52''E. Lower-Middle Jurassic deposits contain eight thin (0.16 to 0.35 m) coal seams. These contain 17.0 to 32.0% ash and are classified as coking coals (103). 132/200-IV Sayed II and III, Takhar Province, 3630'N, 6940'12''E. A 0.15 m thick coal layer was reported from Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits (103). 133/200-IV Chalay-Khurd, Takhar Province, 3629'10''N, 6937'41'E A composite coal seam, 0.48 m thick, has been found in Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits (103). 134/200-IV Bazarak, Takhar Province, 3628'36''N, 6935'45''E. Coal-bearing deposits are of Early - Middle Jurassic age. They contain more than six composite coal seams, four of which are of commercial value, their thickness varying between 1.17 and 2.05 m. The coking coals contain much ash (14.2 to 51.58%), and are difficult to dress (103). 166/200-IV Narin, Baghlan Province, 3602'23''N, 6909'48''E. Coal-bearing deposits are of Early - Middle Jurassic age. They contain four non-persistent workable coal seams, from 0.9 to 4.4 m thick, occurring in an 100

area of 3 sq km. The gas coals contain much ash (up to 30-44%), can be dressed with difficulty, and are used for power production. The seams are being worked (103). 34/400-I Pahlowana, Herat Province, 3424'50''-3426'08''N, 6246'45"-6248'15''E. Coal-bearing deposits are of Early Carboniferous age. Four areas are known with outcrops of crushed lenticular coal seams, 1.0 to 2.5 m in thickness and 100 to 300 m in length. The coals contain up to 40% ash, can be dressed with difficulty, and have the calorific value of up to 8,500 Cal/kg. They are classified by the grade of metamorphism as lean coals (103). 40/400-II Share Arman, Badghis Province, 3437'N, 6352'E. Coal-bearing deposits, 15 to 20 m in thickness and 10 m in length, are observed in carbonaceous shale of Middle to Late Triassic age (44). 1/500-I West Sangach, Baghlan Province, 3559'13"N, 6846'30''E. Coal-bearing deposits are of Early- Middle Jurassic age. They contain 16 composite thin non-persistent coal seams, 0.10 to 1.2 m thick. The coals contain much ash (28.32 to 49.14%), can be dressed with difficulty, and are classified as gas coals. The East Sangach occurrence is 0.6km east of the above occurrence. Here, a composite coal seam, non-persistent in thickness (0 to 1.66 m), was reported from Bathonian deposits This gas coal contains 18.84 to 20.17% ash (103). 14/500-I West Garmak, Samangan Province, 3544'N, 6718'28"E. Lower - Middle Jurassic strata enclose 10 simple and composite coal seams some of which are of commercial value, 1.05 to 8.30 m thick. The gas coals contain little ash (7.9 to 16.81%) and are readily to moderately amenable to beneficiation. The coalbearing deposits are traceable for 3.5 km. The seams were under exploitation (103). 15/500-I East Garmak, Samangan Province, 3543'40"N - 6721'05''E. Three composite workable coal seams, varying in thickness from 1.12 to 1.55 m have been discovered in Lower-Middle Jurassic sediments. The coals contain little ash (10.74 to 18.58%) and are referred to as gas coals (103). 17/500-I Balkhob, Balkh Province, 3543'N, 6659'E. Coal seams and layers, from several centimetres to 5 m thick, are exposed in Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits 200 m thick. These seams and layers consist of bright and more seldom, semi-bright and semi-dull coals (129). 22/500-I Qaramgol, Samangan Province, 3541'23''N, 6723'06''E. Five coal seams, ranging in thickness from 0.68 to 2.5 m, were reported from Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits. The coals, containing 5.05 to 33.3% ash and classified as gas coals, can be used for power production (103). 24/500-I Uylokhak, Balkh Province, 3541'N, 6705'E. The beds of carbonaceous shales were found in Lower - Middle Jurassic sandstone. These contain coal seams and coal layers, 0.05 to 1.5 m in thickness. The coals loose, semi-dull to dull (129). 30/500-I Sare-Tor, Samangan Province, 3538'23"N, 6721'20"E. The composite coal seams are observed in Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits. Their workable interval varies between 1.08 and 0.97 m. The coals are semi-bright to dull, contain little ash (9.26 to 10.01%), and are of the long-flame rank (103). 46/500-I Kotal-i-Sabzak, Samangan Province, 3530'54"N, 6735'12''E. Seven coal seams, 1.4 to 3.0 m thick, were recorded from Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits. The coals vary in ash content from 9.21 to 17.68% and are referred to as long-flame and gas coals (103). 51/500-I Ackhorak, Samangan, Province, 3529'53''N, 67041'04"E. Four composite coal seams (workable interval ranges from 0.7 to 3.35 m) have been found in Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits (The coals are at the long-flame rank and contain 17.5 to 35.4% ash (103). 58/500-I Estoma, Baghlan Province, 3525'24''N, 6809'42"E. The carbonaceous clay of Early - Middle Jurassic age contains coal layers and lenses, 0.05 to 0.15 m thick (103). 59/500-I Amir-Amand, Baghlan Province, 3525'23''N, 6809'28'E. composite coal seam, with the workable interval of 107 m is observed in Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits (103). 64/500-I Nalak, Baghlan Province. Carbonaceous clay, Early - Middle Jurassic in age, contains five layers of coal, 0.26 to 0.50 m is thickness (103).

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74/500-I Barfak, Baghlan Province, Three closely spaced layers, 0.15 to 0.35 thick, of crushed coal occur is Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits (103). 90/500-I Kamard, Bamyan Province, Lower - Middle Jurassic deposits contain one coal seam, 0.45 m thick, which is traceable for 1km (103). 91/500-I Mazarqul, Bamyan Province. Lower - Middle Jurassic carbonaceous clay encloses lenses and layers, 1 to 6 cm thick, of bright coal (103). 112/500-I Farakh Ghar, Parwan Province. A complex coal seam, 0.40 m thick, occurs in Paleogene sandstone. The coal is long-flame and contains 32% ash. The seam was worked (104). OIL SHALE 1/400-II Tajqala, Faryab Province. 3554'N, 6531'E. The oil shale beds occur in terrigenous rocks of Middle-Late Triassic age. These are exposed in a 200 x 1,200 m erosional window surrounded by Neogene deposits (44).

GROUP II METALLIC MINERALS

1. Ferrous Metals
Iron Deposits 75/200-IV Syahjar, Badakhshan Province, 3707'12"N, 7052'35"E. A bed-shaped body of magnetite and hematite, 2 to 3.5 m in thickness and extending for 150 m, occurs in Upper Triassic - Middle Jurassic hornfels slate at the exocontact of the Syahjar massif formed of Oligocene granitic rocks. Speculative iron ore reserves are 40-45 mln tonnes (133). 79/200-IV Furmoragh, Badakhshan Province, 3705'30''N, 7049'55"E. The ore body is localized in a fault at the contact between cherty sandstone and limestone of Early Carboniferous age, near a massif of Oligocene granitic rocks. It is composed of massive magnetite, is bed shaped, 2 to 35 m thick and as long as 1,000 m and has been traced to a depth of 350 m. The body contains 47.2 to 67.8% iron, 0.02 to 0.03, more rarely to 0.3% sulphur, and 0.04 to 0.1% phosphorus. Speculative reserves are 35 mln tonnes (133). 130/500-I Zerak, Baghlan Province, 3446'36"N 6815'12"E. The deposit lies in a fault zone in greenstone volcanics of Proterozoic age and dolomitic limestone, silicified dolomite, and quartz-sericite schist of Early Carboniferous age. Three separate hematite-magnetite ore bodies, 12 to 75 m wide and extending for 90 to 450 m have been discovered, each exposed by erosion down the dip for 150 m. The ore grades 62.5% iron. Speculative ore reserves are 20 mln tonnes. Talus slopes in an area of 50,000 sq km, underlain by blocks and smaller debris of iron ore, are observed near the ore bodies (89). 135/500-I Khesh, Bamyan Province, 3443'55"N, 6812'30" E. The area of the deposit includes five ore bodies, 10 to 200 m thick and 300 to 1,300 m long, which have been traced down the dip for 200 m. They are enclosed in sericite and carbonate-chlorite-sericite schists of Proterozoic age. The latter are exposed in the fault wedges in lower Carboniferous rocks. The ore bodies are composed of oxidized fine-grained and medium-grained hematite-magnetite ores. Iron ore floats are widespread near bedrock exposures. The ore grades 48 to 62.99% iron and also contains the following oxides: up to 0.1% titanium, 0.5% calcium, 1.3% barium, up to 0.28% phosphorus (P205), 0.019% cobalt, and 0.03 to 2.92% sulphur. Speculative reserves are 117 mln tonnes (89). 143/500-I Hajigak, Bamyan Province, 3440'N, 6804'E. The area of the deposit includes exposures of Proterozoic volcanic - schist sequences and Upper Devonian - Lower Carboniferous carbonates and shales. Here, the Proterozoic rocks enclose 16 iron bodies and four areas of iron ore floats. The ore bodies are bedshaped 2 to 380 m thick. These extend for 60 to 4,800 m along the strike and 20 to 552 m down the dip. The shape of talus slopes made up of iron ore float of different size, is complex. These are elongated along the 102

outcrops of the primary ore bodies, their thickness varying between 1.9 and 17.0 m and areas between 100 thousand sq m and 859 thousand sq m. The deposit contains fresh pyrite magnetite ores, occurring at a depth of more than 130 m, and partly oxidized ores divided into hydrogoethite-semi-martite ore, grading up to 68.32% iron; hydrogoethite-hematite-semi-martite ore, containing up to 62.83% iron. The ore of talus slopes is of the workable hydrogoethite-semi-martite type grading 78.89% iron. The contents of impurities are as follows: 0.04% sulphur in sulphates, 4.69% sulphur in sulfides, and 0.05% phosphorus. The contents of useful minor components are: up to 0.19% manganese and thousandth and hundredth fractions of one percent nickel, cobalt, and silver. Commercial reserves are estimated at 110.9 mln tonnes and speculative reserves, 2,070 mln tonnes (90). Occurences 8/200-II Zanif, Badakhshan Province, 3818'N, 7115'31"E. Hematite lenses, 2 to 50 m thick and extending for 20 to 250 m, have been found in a fault zone at the contact between marble and schist and gneiss of Proterozoic age. The ore grades 30 to 40% iron (72). 48/200-IV Duzakh Darah, Badakhshan Province, 3724'30"N, 7054'E. Mineralization is localized in the exocontact of a Paleogene granodiorite massif with Vendian - Cambrian sandstone , which is a roof remnant. It is composed of amphibole-magnetite skarn with hematite-magnetite lenses, 10 to 12 m thick (133). 58/500-IV Kalawch, Badakhshan Province, 3717'N, 7053'E.The occurrence represents a body of massive magnetite, 9 m in thickness and 300 m in length, which occurs in the contact zone between a gabbro-diorite stock of Pa1eogene age and Vendian-Cambrian limestone. Speculative iron ore reserves of the above two occurrences are estimated at more than. 100 mln tonnes (133). 80/200-IV Furmoragh I, see the section on gold. 167/200-IV Skazar, Bandakhshan Province, 3600'30"N, 7040'30"E. A shattered zone 300 m in width and same few kilometers in length has been traced in Oligocene granitic rocks. It contains siderite veins, 15 to 18 m wide and extending for 150 to 200 m (41). 25/300-II Ishon, Badakhshan Province, 3658' 54"N, 7238'53"E. There occur lenses of limonitized hematite with sparsely scattered chalcopyrite, which are restricted to a vertically dipping fault zone at the contact between diorite and granodiorite of Oligocene age. The lenses vary in length between 1.5 and 2.0 m and are as thick as 0.2 m in swells. The iron contents range from 20 to 30% (7). 21/400-I Tagab, Herat Province, 3436'11"N, 6257'12"E. Lenses and irregular bodies of magnetite ore are observed in epidote-garnet skarns, 1 to 3 m thick, formed after Upper Permian rocks, at their contact with a small granodiorite massif of Late Triassic age. Magnetite is partially replaced by martite. (94). 29/400-I Kushast, Herat Province, 3428'05"N, 6259'26"E. A concordant hematite-magnetite are body is confined to skarned shale and carbonate of Early Carboniferous age at their contact with a small granitic massif of Late Triassic age. Its width is 4.5 m and extension is 150 m (102). 46/400-I Chashma-I-Reg, Herat Province, 3409' 6226'E. A zone of hematite mineralization, 300 m wide and extending for 2km has been noted in sandstone and limestone of Proterozoic age (44). 52/400-I Bande-i-Sarakh, Herat Province, 3404'8, 6447'E. Hematite metallization is observed in a fault zone in shattered limestone of Proterozoic age. The area of metallization is 0.3 sq km (44). 54/400-I Pahlang Sor, Herat Province, 3400'N 6300'S, There occurs a limonite ore deposit of a "gossan" type, 60 x 180 m in size, which is localized in Lower Triassic deposits. The ore grades 47.8 to 59.22% iron. Speculative ore reserves are 0.5 mln tonnes. The occurrence was worked manually until 1925 (19). 13/400-II Qochi, Faryab Province, 3522'N, 6515'E. A bed-shaped ferruginous metasomatite body occurs in Upper Creteceous rocks near a massif of Miocene granite porphyry. The body is 5 m thick and extends for more than 300 m. The ore consists of hematite with magnetite. Speculative reserves are 0.5mln tonnes (19). 16/400-II Sehkoh, see the section on copper.

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35/400-II Espisang, Ghor Province, 3443'N, 6436'E. A zone of strong ferrugination, 50 m wide and more than 3 km long, is restricted to a fault in Proterozoic rocks intruded by a stock of Proterozoic gabbro-diorite. The limonitized rocks contain disseminated galena, sphalerite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, and chalcosine (44). 42/400-II Rod-i-Karukh, Herat, Province, 3434'50"N, 6308'20"E. Mineralization is at the contact between tuff and phyllite-like rock, of Late Permian age. The ores are massive or disseminated. The massive ore occurs as three magnetite-hematite lenses, 0.5 to 1.1 m thick. The ore contains 20 to 25% hematite, 20 to 30% magnetite, and 10 to 57% martite (102). 65/400-II Cajinaw, Ghor Province, 3418'N, 6436'E. Several lenticular hematite-limonite bodies, 0.5 to 50 m thick and extending for 10 to 300 m are restricted to Upper Devonian - Lower Carboniferous sequence. The contents are: 29.62% iron, 0.7% lead, 0.07% zinc, and 10% barium (44). 88/400-II Kohe Pud, Herat Province, 3409'N, 6324'E. Two beds of oolitic iron ore, 1.5 m thick, have been found in Upper Devonian - Lower Carboniferous deposits. The ore grades 42.9% iron (43). 26/400-III Korezak, Farah Province, 3306'N, 6044'E. A zone of garnet-pyroxene skarn, 50 m wide and 100 m long, which contains oxidized sulfide ore has been found in Lower Cretaceous marmorized limestone, near the contact with Oligocene granite. The magnetite content is 20%; the sulfide ore contains 0.3 to 1% copper, lead, and zinc; and the tin content ranges from 0.01 to 0.1%. Silver, antimony, arsenic, molybdenum, and bismuth are present in minor quantities (43). 75/400-IV Awaliet, Kandahar Province, 3222'N, 6538'E. A skarn zone with lenticular and nest-like magnetite bodies totally extending for 700 m has been distinguished at the contact of Upper Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous carbonates with Oligocene granite. Three ore bodies were found. Here, hematite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite are present along with magnetite (19). 79/400-IV Haji Alam, Kandahar Province, 3218'N, 6533'E. The occurrence includes exposures of Upper Triassic limestone and dolomite intruded by Oligocene granitic rocks. The carbonate rocks have been transformed into skarn at the contact zone and enclose numerous irregular ore bodies. There have been found several bed-shaped magnetite bodies the largest of which are 30 x 100, 50 x 200, and 10 x 600 m in size and as thick as 20 m. The ores are massive and contain 52.56 to 62.28% iron, 0.01 to 0.35% sulphur, and 0.01 to 0.03% Phosphorus. Speculative reserves are 2-6 mln tonnes (105). 86/400-IV Chenar (Kanay), Kandahar Province, 3214'N, 6532'E. The occurrence is localized is contact between the Middle Triassic limestone and Oligocene granitic rocks. The granitic rocks contain xenoliths of marmorized and skarned limestones which enclose iron metallization occurring as five limonite and two hematite ore bodies. The limonite bodies range in area from 750 sq m to 5,000 sq m the total area of the outcrops equals to 11 thousand sq km. The ore contains 52 to 62% iron, 0.023 to 0.86% sulphur, and 0.012 to 0.017% phosphorus. Speculative limonite ore reserves are 1.0 mln tonnes. The hematite ore bodies occur in marmorized limestone, being 150 and 250 m in length, 70 and 100 m in the width of outcrops, and 10 to 12 m in thickness. The ore grades 62 to 65% iron. Speculative ore reserves are 2-2.5 mln tonnes (78). 91/400-IV Tambil, Kandahar Province, 3210'17"N, 6535'32"E. The metallization occurs at a gentlydipping contact between Oligocene granite and Upper Triassic marmorized limestone. The limestone locally contains garnet, epidote and pyroxene skarn varieties. The nest-like ore body is 50 x 40 x 20 m in size and is composed of hematitized and limonitized magnetite. The iron ore also contains 0.01% copper, 0.02% zinc, and 0.002% lead (158). 103/400-IV Qala-i-Assad, Kandahar,Province, 3205'N, 6528'E. A 10 x 100 m body of martitized and limonitized magnetite ore has been found at the contact between Oligocene granitic rocks and Upper Triassic limestone. The ore grades 64.5% iron. Speculative reserves are 100 thousand tonnes (105). 118/500-I Darahe-i-Nili, Parwan Province, 3454'N, 6834'E. The occurrence represents talus slopes underlain by blocks of martite ore (90). 133/500-I Choy, Bamyan Province, 3445'37"N, 6813'E. A hematite-magnetite ore body was found in quartz-chlorite schist of Proterozoic age. The body is concordant, 2.5 to 10.0 m thick and 400 m long (90).

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134/500-I Sawsang, Bamyan Province, 3445'08"N, 6815'45"E. A lens of hematite-magnetite ore, 15 m thick and 350 m long, has been found in Proterozoic schist occurring in tectonic sheets surrounded by Lower Carboniferous rocks. The ore grades 62.5% iron (90). 139/500-I Kharzar, Bamyan Province, 3441'46"N, 6809'12"E. A martitized hematite-magnetite lens, up to 70 m thick and 315 m long, has been distinguished in Proterozoic green schist that appear as fault wedges in Lower Carboniferous rocks. The ore assays up to 62.97% iron (19). 141/500-I Paghman, Kabul Province, 3440'N, 6900'E. Two magnetite ore lenses, 2.2 and 3.0 m thick and 35 m long, which contain up to 67% iron, have been discovered in Proterozoic rocks intruded by stocks of Lower Cretaceous gabbroic rocks. The ore reserves are 47 thousand tonnes (105). 182/500-I Mangasak, Maydan Province, 3421'N, 6744'E. A zone with lenses and veinlets of magnetite, 50 to 100 m thick and 1,200 m long, has been found in carbonates, at the contact between Proterozoic gneiss and schist (76). 5/500-II Rezer, Badakhshan Province, 3559'N, 7044'E. The occurrence is found in a fault zone at the contact between Upper Triassic schist and Oligocene granitic rocks. The zone is 100 m wide and hundreds of meters long. There are siderite veins up to 30 m wide and up to 250 m long. Talus slopes consist of altered granite fragments with disseminated chalcopyrite and malachite (41). 6/500-II Pinawi, Badakhshan Province, 3559'N, 7038'E. A zone of shattered and limonitized rocks, which is related to a fault and is 70 to 80 m wide, has been distinguished in Oligocene granitic rocks. The zone contains siderite veins, 2 to 3 m wide and 5 to 10 m long, and finely disseminated chalcopyrite (41). 34/500-II Chukrinaw, Kapisa Province, 3536'24"N, 6953'40"E. Hematite ore lenses, 2 to 15 m thick and up to 1 km long, have been found in Proterozoic marble (71). 35/500-II Nukrokhona, Kapisa Province, 3535'N, 6954'E. Metallization in Proterozoic marmorized limestone occurs in several lenticular beds, separate veins, and nests made up of hematite. The ore bodies are from 2 to 10 m thick and several hundred meters to several thousand meters long, with the iron content of 60 to 65% (78). 41/500-II Panjsher, Kapisa Province, 3532'30"N, 6952'30"E. Several hematite bodies, 10 to 20 m thick and 3 to 5 km long, have been found in Proterozoic marble (71). 44/500-II Durnama, Kapisa Province, 3530'N, 6951'E. A number of hematite lenses, 1 to 5 m thick and 10 to 40-60 m long, occur in Proterozoic marble. The ore contains 55 to 60% iron, 0.2% copper, and 0.03 to 0.1% zinc (71). 86/500-II Deh Kalan, Parwan Province, 3513'N, 6918'E. A hematite bed-shaped ore body, 10 to 20 m thick and more than 3 km long, has been noted in Proterozoic rocks (71). 90/500-II Hazar, Parwan Province, 3512'N, 6919'E. A vein of hematite-magnetite composition, 2 to 2.5 m wide and 20 m long, occurs in gneiss and marble of Proterozoic age invaded by small diorite masses (39). 99/500-II Jabal-us-Saraj, Parwan Province, 3509'42"N, 6915'E. The mineralization is represented by large hematite lenses and bed-shaped bodies formed of ferruginous marble of Proterozoic age, 10 to 30 m thick and more than 1 km long. Speculative iron reserves are 7.2 mln tonnes (105). 99/500-II Duzdara, Kapisa Province, 3508'N, 6924'E. Proterozoic gneiss contains skarned marble, 1 to 5 m thick, which has been traced for 5-6 km. This unit encloses lenticular bodies of diopside-epidote-garnetmagnetite composition, 1 to 2 m thick and 10 to 20 m long (39). 112/500-II Dangam, Konar,Province, 3501'N, 7128'E. Small lenticular hematite ore bodies, 2 m thick and as long as 200 m, occur in schist and cherty rocks of Early Carboniferous age (19). 134/500-II Sheykhu, Kabul Province, 3446'N, 6913'E. Lenticular magnetite bodies, 0.2 to 1.0 m thick and 10 to 20 m long, have been found in Proterozoic skarned marble (39).

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147/500-II Day Sabs, Kabul Province, 3437N, 6925'E. Magnetite-hematite bodies, 1 to 2 m thick and 10 to 20 m long, have been found in terrigenous deposits of Late Permian age (39). 156/500-II Khaydarabad, Kabul Province, 3430'35"N, 6900'45"E. A ferruginous quartzite bed, 20 to 30 m thick and 300 m long, which contains 30% iron, occurs in Proterozoic metamorphics (141). 195/500-II Shinkay, Kabul Province, 3419'50"N, 6915'E. A skarned zone, 100 to 150 m wide and 300 to 400 m long, with magnetite lenses, is discovered in Proterozoic marble intruded by a gabbro-diabase body. The lenses are 0.5 to 1 m in thickness and 5 to 10 m in length. The ore contains, along with iron, 1% chromium, and 0.5% copper (33). 205/500-II Gezgay, Kabul Province, 3417'10"N, 6921'50"E. Jaspelite beds, up to 10 m thick and 150 to 200 m long, have been found in schist and carbonate rocks of Proterozoic age (39) 77/500-III Kwali-Kushi, Ghazni Province, 3318'55"N, 6723'10"E. The occurrence lies at the contact between Devonian limestone and Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbrosyenite along which skarned rocks and chert are observed. Two ore bodies have been distinguished, 500 and 275 m long and each up to 60 m thick. The ore minerals are phyrrhotite, magnetite, hematite, and chalcopyrite. These either make up nests of ore or are disseminated. The contents are: 11.28 to 21.89% iron, up to 0.2% copper, 0.2 to 1.0 g of gold per tonne, up to 1% tin, up to 0.33% lead, and up to 0.44% zinc (42). 79/500-II Naylag, Ghazni Province, 3318'30"N, 6724'40"E. Seven lenticular magnetite-ludwigite ore bodies, as thick as 3.5 m and as long as 20 m, have been distinguished in the contact zone between marmorized limestone and shale of Carboniferous - Early Permian age and stocks of Late Cretaceous Paleocene diorite (42). 99/500-III Lar, Ghazni Province, 3309'N 6748'15"E. Lenticular limonite-hematite bodies are restricted to the shattered zones in marmorized limestone and quartz sandstone of Carboniferous - Early Permian age. The metallization has been traced for 1,250 m along the strike and 260-300 m down the dip. Some lenses are as thick as 15 m. The contents are: 48.08 to 62.33% iron, up to 0.08% sulphur, and up to 0.09% phosphorus. Speculative iron reserves are 8 mln tonnes (42). 101/500-III Dodi, Ghazni Province, 3308'30"N, 6707'10"E, Hematite-cemented quartz sandstone, up to 15 m thick and up to 6 km long, assaying betweem 25 and 30% iron occurs at the base of Upper Devonian sequence (42). 174/500-III Peri Khona, Ghazni Province, 3449'40"N, 6725'50"E. A thick limonitized body has been found in a fault zone cutting through Cambrian limestone. The ferruginous zone is 20 to 50 m thick and 400 - 500 m long. It contains five lenticular ore bodies made up of limonite and martite, having the thickness of 5 to 10 m and length of 35 to 55 m. The ore bodies contain 55 to 60% iron and ferruginous limestone, 10 to 30% iron. In addition, the rocks contain 0.1 to 1.54% lead, 0.05 to 0.35% zinc, and up to 0.3% copper (78). 26/600-II Lam, Kandahar Province, 3140'N 6526'E. Lenticular magnetite skarn bodies occur in the zone of contact between Lower Cretaceous marmorized limestone and Oligocene granite. They are from 2 to 4 m in size or smaller (42). 23/700-I Mien Boldak, Kandahar Province, 3056'N, 6618'E. Four siderite veins, as wide as 10 m and as long as 400 mhave been found in limestone and dolomite of Late Cretaceous age (86). Iron showings 30/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3733'30"N, 7106 'E. Magnetite blocks have been found on talus slopes (129). 33/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3731'15" N, 7102 'E. Magnetite-hematite blocks, up to 0.6 m in size, are observed on talus slopes (129). 72/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3709'15"N, 7048'30"E. Lenses (5 m thick) of magnetite and garnetmagnetite skarns occur at the contact between massifs of Oligocene granite and Upper Triassic - Middle Jurassic limestone (133).

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73/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3708'51" N, 7048'05"E. A 5 m thick massive magnetite body occurs in Upper Triassic - Middle Jurassic limestone (133). 83/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3703'N, 7050'38"E. A limonite body, 1 m thick, has been found in a fault zone between sandstone and limestone of Early Carboniferous age (133). 101/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3640'25"N, 7050'E. Finely disseminated magnetite can be observed in brecciated lime stone within a shattered zone 30 m wide and 300 m long (41). 152/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3613'N, 7108'40"E. A zone of shattered, strongly silicified, and limonitized rocks, 400 m wide and first few hundred meters long, has been distinguished at the boundary between Oligocene granitic rocks and Archean rocks. The zone contains thin limonite veins and hematite nests (41). 45/400-II Ghor, Province, 3434'N, 6455'E. Small hematite and sulfide lenses and veinlets occur in a fault zone in Eocene terrigenous rocks (44). 60/400-II Ghor Province, 3422'N, 6433'E. An iron ore lens, 1.0 m thick and 50 m long, which contains 57% iron, has been found in a fault zone between Lower Carboniferous and Pliocene rock units (44). 64/400-II Ghor Province, 3419'N, 6404'E. Four hematite-bearing lenses, 10 to 30 cm thick, have been reported from the imbricate structure tomes overlain by Quaternary deposits (45). 127/500-I Bamyan Province, 3447'30"N, 6814'E. Talus slopes formed by blocks of hematite-magnetic ore and lead-zinc-barite ore are observed north-east of the Khesh deposit (90). 202/500-II Zabul Province, 3243'11"N, 6646'08"E. A lenticular hematite body, 0.2 m thick and 12 m long, occurs in Oligocene granodiorite (108).

Manganese Occurrences 107/500-I Farenjal, Parwan Province, 3459'N, 6841'E. A manganese ore body, 3 m thick and 120 m long, has been found 0.5 km west of the Farenjal barite deposit in Lower Carboniferous rocks. The ore consists of 20 to 40% pyrolusite, 50 to 70% psilomelane, 2 to 3% iron oxides, and 5 to 7% nonmetallic minerals. It contains 28 to 30% manganese oxide, 0.02% cobalt, and 0.01 to 0.3% nickel (77). Showings 24/500-III Oruzghan Province, 3353'30"N, 6651'48"E. Lenses of sooty siliceous-marly rocks 1.5 x 7 m in size occur in Proterozoic sequence and contain up to 2% manganese (146).

Chromium Deposits 222/500-II Logar, Logar Province, 3405'-3415'N, 6856'-6908'E. The deposit is restricted to a massif of Eocene ultrabasics. The massif is formed of harzburgite, dunite, pyroxenite, lherzolite, and serpentine. There have been distinguished two parallel zones of chromite bodies, about 15 km long. The ore bodies are 1 to 10 m wide and 10 to 100 m long. The basic ore mineral is chromite. The 42.4% chromium oxide ore reserves are 181.2 thousand tonnes, the chromium to iron ratio being 2.8:1 (23). 128/500-II Jurghati Parwan Province, 3451'30"N, 6926'10"E, A 20 x 30 m chromite body has been found is the western part of a massif made up of Eocene peridotite (39)

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197/500-II Werek, Logar Province, 3418'55"N, 6904'05"E. A chromite body, 3 m thick and 29 m long, has been distinguished in Eocene peridotite. The average chromium oxide content of the chromite is 37.3% (141). 229/500-II Mohammadgazi III, Logar Province, 3408'20"N, 6901'00"E. Two massive chromite ore bodies, each 0.3 to 0.5 m wide and 30 to 40 m long, occur in Eocene peridotite. The chromite reserves are 840 tonnes, the average content of chromium oxide being 42.3% (23). 231/500-II Mohammadgazi I, Logar Province, 3407'40"N, 6902'10"E. Two massive chromite ore bodies, 5 x 40 m and 3 x 50 m in size, and several small lenses have been found in Eocene peridotite. The ore reserves are 5.6 thousand tonnes the average chromium oxide content being 43.4% (141). 232/500-II Mohammadgazi II, Logar Province, 3407'10"N, 6902'10". A number of 1-5 to 1-2 m x 51 m chromite ore lenses have been found in Eocene peridotite. The average chromium oxide content is 43.6%, Cr:Fe=2.7:1, and MgO:Al2O3=0.75:1. The ore reserves are 1.3 thousand tonnes (141). 234/500-II Kohe Kalawurg, Logar Province, 3405'45"N, 6907'45"E, Seven chromite lenses up to 4.5 x 27 m in size have been reported from Eocene ultrabasic rocks. The ore reserves are 4.3 thousand tonnes, the average chromium oxide content being 42.8% (141). 10/500-IV Sperkay, I, Paktya Province, 3315'N, 6936"E. Ten chromite bodies, 1 to 10 m wide and 110 m long, were reported from Eocene peridotite. The chromite contains 43.11 to 53.48% chromium oxide and 5.57 to 7.23% iron. There has also been found asbestos mineralization localized in two fracture zones in carbonatized serpentine. The zones are 20 to 60 m wide and 3 to 4 km long. Asbestos fibres found in veinlets are up to 12 cm long (130). 13/500-IV Shadal, Paktya Province, 3314'N, 6936'E. Chromite mineralization is restricted to Eocene peridotite and occurs in small lenses, thin veinlets, and as disseminations. There have been distinguished 34 chromite lenses, 0.2 to 4.0 m thick and 3 to 40 m long, which have been traced to depths between 1 and 10 m. The average chromium oxide content is 44.36% (111). Showings 189/500-I Logar Province, 3416'20"N, 6853'10"E. Chromite talus and alluvium occur over an area of 600 sq km. near intrusions of Eocene peridotite. (141). 195/500-I Logar Province, 3414'10"N, 6852'20"E. Lenticular chromite bodies, up to 10 m thick and 6 to 20 m long, have been found in an intrusion of Eocene ultrabasics (141). 209/500-I Logar Province, 3408'50"N, 6858'05"E. A 2 x 10 m chromite lens lies in Eocene ultrabasics. The ore reserves are 200 tonnes, the average chromium oxide content being 44.1% (141). 9/600-II Kandahar Province, 3153'14"N, 6559'29"E. Numerous chromite fragments up to 0.2 m across are observed in eluvium heaps (area of 20-30 sq m) within massifs of Early Cretaceous peridotites (42). 24/600-II Kandahar Province, 3141'30"N, 6514'40"E. Small chromite lenses occur here and there in an area of 4,500 sq m in serpentinized ultrabasic rocks of Early Cretaceous age (42). Mechanical Mineralogical Haloes 19/600-II Left bank of the Argandab Rod River, Maranjan Village area. Serpentinized peridotite and terrigenous carbonate deposits of Early Cretaceous age are exposed within the halo whose area is 36 sq km. Chromite has been established in 33 samples of which two contain up to 1,000 g/cu m; three, up to 200 g/cu m; seven, up to 10-50 g/cu m; and each of 21, 10 grains or more (42). 22/600-II Pir Zadakh Village area. The 100-sq km. halo is restricted to the area of serpentinized peridotite and gabbro of Early Cretaceous age. Chromite was found in 60 samples of which 31 contain 10-50 to 200 g/cu m and 29, single grains to 10 or more grains in a sample (42).

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13/700-I Arghestan Rod River drainage basin (the area of the halo is 175 sq km). Here Eocene ultrabasics are exposed. Out of 269 samples, chromite has been found in 198 of which seven contain up to 200 g/cu m, and 191 single grains in each sample. Cinnabar, cassiterite, and gold are scarce (86).

2. Nonferrous Metals
Copper District 162/500-II Kabul copper district, Kabul and Logar Provinces, 3420'N 6911'E (western part); 3420'N, 6926'E (eastern part); 3413'N, 6918'E (southern part); and 3420'N, 6920'E (northern part). It lies in the central part of the Kabul fault block, the Region of the Alpine Folding. The Kabul copper district (area of 800 sq km) is known to contain three deposits (Aynak, Darband, and Jawkar) and 94 occurrences of copper. The copper metallization is localized in sedimentary, extrusive, and intrusive rocks of different ages. However, copper concentrations of commercial value are invariably restricted to the upper strata of Vendian - Cambrian deposits accumulated in a near-shore environment and later metamorphosed to the green schist and amphibolite facies. The richest and most persistent mineralization was reported from alternating schist, marble, and quartzite. The, copper ores appear to be of the primary sedimentary origin, but have later been metamorphosed, particularly during the Alpine tectonic and igneous activity. The copper sources are Proterozoic basic rocks which are widespread in the crystalline basement of the Kabul Block (20). Deposits 9/400-III Shayda, Herat Province, 3351 'N, 6151'E. Upper Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous volcanics invaded by small granite bodies of Oligocene age are exposed within the deposit. The 200-300-m. wide zone of contact with the granite is faulted. In its limits, the rocks are severely shattered and limonitized to produce six steeply dipping "gossan"-type zones of metallization and a bed-shaped body of pyritic ore. The steeply inclined zones are 2.4 to 8.2 m thick and 150 to 850 m long. They consist mainly of limonite, which is at places associated with hematite, secondary copper minerals being more scarce. Copper contents average from 0.27 to 3.02% for different zones and zinc contents, from 0.08 to 0.37%. According to drilling data, the pyritic bed-shaped body is from 1.1 to 8.0 m (3.7 m on the average) in thickness, as wide as 500 m and as long as 2.4 km. The chief ore minerals are pyrite, pyrrhotite, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite, which occur as solid masses, veinlets, and disseminations. The ore contains 0.04 to 1.6% copper (0.63% on the average), 0.09 to 7.0% zinc (1.3% on the average), 0.01 to 0.5% lead (0.08% on the average), and 0.3 g of gold per tonne. The Cat. C2 ore reserves are 4.8 mln tonnes (1.1% Cu on the average) (146). 198/500-II Jawkar, Kabul Province, 3418'57''N, 6918'10"E. The area of the deposit includes exposures of metamorphosed terrigenous, carbonate, and volcanic rocks of Vendian - Cambrian age, which underwent heavy albitization and silicification. Rich copper metallization is mostly related to albitized and silicified rocks, more rarely to amphibolite and quartzite. Hypogene copper minerals are chalcopyrite and bornite associated with magnetite, ilmenite, pyrrhotite, pyrite, and sphalerite. Supergene copper minerals are chalcocite, covellite, cuprite, and malachite. 22 lenticular ore bodies, 1.5 to 32 m thick and 100 to 150 m long, occur within the metallized zone, which is as thick as 300 m and 2 km long. The bodies average from 0.33 to 2.56% copper. The interval of metallization as observed in the erosion level, is 300 m (19). 209/500-II Aynak, Logar Province, 3415'58"N, 6918'02"E. At the deposit, whose area is 40 sq km, there are outcrops of metamorphosed sedimentary and volcanic-sedimentary rocks of Vendian - Cambrian age, which are mostly overlain by coarse terrigenous deposits of Neogene age, up to 500 m thick. The deposit is tentatively divided into three areas: Central, Western, and Southern. Central Area. Here, a concordant ore body can be followed for more than 2 km and ranges in thickness from 60 to 200 m. According to drilling data, the maximum depth of profitable mining is 600 m. Oxidized ores can be mined from the surface to depths from 10 to 20 m. They are of brecciated, cavernous, earthy, or mortar textures. The oxidized ore minerals are cuprite, malachite, chalcocite, cuprite-limonite aggregate, phagenite, covellite, tenorite, erythrite, chalcanthite, brochantite, azurite, and chrysocolla. The oxidized ore averages 1.2% copper, with variations between 0.71 and 2.85%. A mixed ore, oxidized to 30-70%, is traceable to depths of 80 to 100 m, occurring as veinlets and disseminations. This kind of ore is composed of 109

bornite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, native copper, and almost all of the minerals found in the oxidized zone. It grades 0.64 to 3.92% copper (2% on the average). The primary sulfide ore constitutes the bulk of reserves of the deposit. The hypogene ore is subdivided by texture into disseminated, veinlet filling-disseminated and veinlet filling. The chief ore minerals are chalcopyrite and bornite. There have been distinguished chalcopyrite, bornite-chalcopyrite, and bornite ores, depending on the predominance of one of the two minerals. Minor amounts are present of pyrite, sphalerite and smaltite, and also marcasite, pyrrhotite, linneite, pentlandite, violarite, magnetite, ilmenite, and rutile. The hypogene ore averages 2.5% copper. The following vertical zonation has been established in the area from bottom to top: sphalerite-pyrite, pyritechalcopyrite, chalcopyrite, chalcopyrite-bornite, bornite, and chalcopyrite ores. Admixtures of the copper ores are zinc, cobalt, nickel, gold, and silver. Western Area. It is a direct extension of the Central Area. The ore body can be followed for 2 km, being 4 to 94 m thick. The greater part of the metal-bearing zone is overlain by a veneer of Neogene deposits. The pattern of distribution of mineralization, ore fabrics, and mineral composition are similar to those in the Central Area. The ore grades from 0.62 to 2.05% copper. Southern Area. The ore prospects and geology of the Southern Area have little been known to date. The area contains several metallization zones in shale and carbonate, quartz-albite metasomatite, and amphibolite. One ore body (the Pache occurrence), 4 to 48 m thick, is localized in the foot wall of an albitite dike, and has been traced for 500 m. This body contains 0.9 to 1.6% copper (1.3% on the average). The Southern Area lacks oxidized zones within the ore bodies. Speculative copper reserves of the Aynak deposit exceed 6 mln per January 1, 1977 (19). 211/500-II Darband, Kabul Province, 3416'N, 6924'E. The deposit represents a linear concordant metallization zone, 100 to 1,000 m thick and 7 km long, which occurs in a sequence of silicified and micaceous marbles with interbedded biotite-amphibole schist and amphibolite. In the eastern part of the zone, the ore body, 18 to 120 m thick, has been followed for 1,100 m. The ore, non-persistent both along the strike and down-dip, occurs in en echelon manner. It grades from 0.58 to 1.559 copper. The eastern part of the deposit has but a poorly developed oxidized zone. Primary sulphide ore is composed of chalcopyrite, bornite, and pyrite. In the central part of the deposit, the ore body, concordant with the micaceous marble, is 10 to 80 m thick and more than 2 km long. It contains 0.55 to 1.27% copper. The ore forms veinlets or constitutes disseminations. The western part of the ore zone is mostly overlain by a veneer of Neogene Quaternary sediments 10 to 100 m in thickness. Nevertheless, it has been traced by electric surveying. The observed mineralization interval is from 100 to 130 m. The workable ore interval varies between 3 and 110 m, the copper content being in the range from 0.66% to 2.06%. The deposit is now under exploration. Speculative copper reserves are over 1 mln tonnes (19). 256/500-III Kundalan, Zabul Province, 3218'46"N, 6631'58" E. The deposit is restricted to three isolated inliers of Proterozoic and Vendian to Cambrian metamorphics in an intrusion of Late Cretaceous to Palaeocene diorite. The inliers found in a band 50 to 400 m wide are aligned along the Kundalan Fault Zone, 5 km in strike length. These are considered independent areas called the Kundalan, Kaptarghor, and Shela-i-Surkh. The Kundalan Area is localized in the north inlier which is 400 m wide and 1.5 km long. The inlier consists of marmorized and skarned limestones, cherts, and skarns. The chief minerals of the skarns are pyroxene, garnet, amphibole, phlogopite, and magnetite. Within this area the mineralization occurs in skarns and cherts. There are 13 ore bodies, 2.65 to 12.3 m thick and 36 to 175 m long, containing 0.62 to 1.2% copper and 0.5 to 2 g of gold per tonne. The Cat. C1+C2 reserves are 13.6 thousand tonnes of copper, the average content being 1.07%; and 1.1 tonne of gold, the average content being 0.9 g/t. The Kaptarghor Area represents the inlier, 50 to 120 m wide and 700 m long, composed of skarn, chert, and various metasomatites. The mineralization is restricted to hematite kaolin-quartz and carbonate metasomatites. There are three ore bodies, 2.59 to 3.89 m thick and up to 155 m long, assaying 1.84 to 4.03% copper, 0.8 to 3.1 g of gold per tonne, and 0.02 to 0.18% molybdenum. The Category C1+C2 reserves are 3.7 thousand tonnes of copper, averaging 3.8% Cu; 282.3 kg of gold, averaging 2.9 g/t Au; and 127.3 tonnes of molybdenum with the average Mo content of 0.13%. The Shela-i-Surkh Area embraces the south inlier, 40 to 120 m wide and 1 km long. Its northern part shows exposures of garnet and pyroxene-garnet skarns with chert interbeds; its southern part contains exposures of 110

hydrothermally altered terrigenous and carbonate rocks and more seldom intrusive bodies and hematitekaolin-quartz, quartz-carbonate, and karbonate metasomatites. The ore bodies occur in pyroxene-garnet and garnet skarns and hematite-kaolin-quartz metasomatites. Eight ore bodies have been discovered is the area. They vary in thickness between 1 and 10 m and in length between 40 and 173 m, and contain (averaged for each body) 0.66 to 1,75% copper, 0.3 to 0.5 g of gold per tonne, and 0.17% molybdenum. The Cat. C2 reserves are 4.1 thousand tonnes if copper (1,05% Cu on the average), 154.5 kg of gold (0.4 g of gold per tonne on the average), and 6.1 tonnes of molybdenum (0.17% Mo on the average). The ores at the deposit are divided by mineral composition into pyrite-chalcopyrite (the Kundalan and Shela-iSurkh) and molybdenite-chalcocite (the Kaptarghor area). The former is disseminated, fills veinlets, or, more rarely; constitutes isolated nests. The basic ore minerals are chalcopyrite and pyrite and more seldom sphalerite, grey copper ore, and enargite. The latter occurs as disseminations or, more rarely, is of the veinlet fillingdisseminated type, and is localized in kaolin-hematite-quartz metasomatite. The basic minerals of the ore are chalcocite, bornite, and molybdenite, more seldom are chalcopyrite, pyrite, and sphalerite. The Cat. C1+C2 reserves of the deposit are: 21.4 thousand tonnes of copper (average copper content of the ore is 1.21%); 1.6 tonne of gold (with the average gold content of 0.9 g/t); and 133.4 tones of molybdenum (averaging 0.14% of the metal). The ores also contain silver (more than 10 grains to 10 g/t) and bismuth (up to 0.3%) (91). Occurrences 9/200-IV Chasnud-i-Bala, Badakhshan Province, 3748'10"N, 7134'39"E. A zone of hydrothermally altered rocks, 150 to 200 m wide and 3 km long, occurs in the contact between Upper Triassic - Middle Jurassic sandstones and Eocene - Oligocene volcanics. The zone is penetrated by numerous quartz stringers and hematite lenses containing up to 0.4% copper and hundredth fractions of one per cent arsenic, tin, and zinc (130). 51/200-IV Glik, Badakhshan Province, 3721'25"N, 7100'35"E. A zone of hydrothermally altered rocks, up to 150 m wide and 4 -5 km long, has been found in Upper Permian - Triassic limestone. The ore grades as much as 1% copper and hundredth fractions of one per cent lead, zinc, end tungsten (130). 80/200-IV Furmoragh I, see the section on gold. 24/300-III Bay-Qara, Badakhshan Province, 3659'30"N, 7353'52"E. Quartz veins, up to 0.2 m wide and 1.5 to 3.0 m long, occur in a fault zone at the contact between Lower Carboniferous limestone and Carboniferous - Lower Permian shale. These veins contain disseminated chalcopyrite and more seldom galena. The ore contains 5% copper, 0.3% lead, 0.3% arsenic, and 0.1% antimony (51). 2/400-I Simkoh, Herat Province, 3520'25"N, 61020900"E. A metallized zone, 10 to 80 m wide and 500-600 m long, is restricted to a fault in Cretaceous terrigenous deposits. The ore minerals are malachite and more seldom azurite, cuprite, and chalcocite. The ore grades 0.5 to 2.5% copper (161). 32/400-I Nayak, see the section on mercury. 48/400-I Du-Berodar, Herat Province, 3408'N, 6105'E. Metallization is localized in Lower Jurassic Middle Jurassic sandstone intruded by Eocene - Oligocene granite porphyry. Disseminations and films of copper minerals are observed in two sections, 0.3 and 0.21 sq km in up to 1% copper and 0.07% combined lead and zinc (44). 49/400-I Rabat-i-Sapcha, see the section on lead and zinc. 16/400-II Sehkoh, Faryab Province, 3517'N, 6522'E. Metallization is restricted to a massif of hydrothermally altered granodiorite porphyry of Miocene age which invades Upper Cretaceous terrigenouscarbonate strata. A 1.7 sq km area is known to include several bed-shaped ore bodies (an area of each is as much as 200 x 600 m) containing quartz, hematite, and magnetite and disseminated chalcopyrite and chalcocite. The ore grades 0.37 to 1.44% copper (44). 39/400-II Akhankoshan, Badghis Province, 3439'N, 6423'E. Copper and gold metallization has been noted in skarns and zones of hydrothermally altered rocks related to an intrusion of Miocene granite porphyry invading terrigenous and terrigenous-carbonate deposits of Early Triassic and Late Cretaceous age. The copper metallization in magnetite-hematite and epidote-garnet-magnetite skarns, 10 to 15 m in thickness and 111

20,000 sq m in area, occurs as nests, veinlets and finely disseminated grains. The ore minerals are chalcopyrite, covellite, chalcocite, cuprite, malachite, and azurite. The contents are: hundredth to tenth fractions of one per cent copper, 0.2 to 5 g of gold per tonne (up to 32.3 g/t in several samples), up to 0.4% combined lead and zinc, and 0.05% molybdenum. Hydrothermal mineralization of the veinlet-dissemination type is developed in the altered granite porphyry. It is localized in highly tectonized zones and in segments penetrated by numerous quartz stringers as well as in shattered, pyritized, kaolinized, and limonitized rocks (the mineralized area is 1.5 sq km). There occur six closely spaced subparallel mineralized zones, 11 to 75 m, more rarely to 150 m wide and 0.7 to 2.5 km long. The following contents have been determined: 0.1 to 0.5% (3.60% at maximum) copper; 1 to 1.3 g of gold per tonne (8 g/t at maximum); up to 0.05% lead, up to 0.4% zinc, and up to 0.07% molybdenum (140). 44/400-II Kushkak, Ghor Province, 3434'N, 6431'E. A stock 60 x 120 m in size, which is composed of barite, quartz, and calcite with irregularly disseminated lead and copper sulfides, has been found in Upper Cretaceous limestone. The following contents have been determined: 4.05 to 6.3% copper, 1.2 to 1.5% lead, 0.07 to 0.5% zinc, 0.6 to 1.1 g of gold per ton, and 52.24% barite (44). 53/400-II Tagab-Soni, Herat Province, 3426'30"N, 6342'30"E. The occurrence consists of quartz and baritequartz veins with disseminated chalcopyrite and covellite in the zone of contact between a granite intrusion and Lower Carboniferous terrigenous deposits. There have been distinguished more than 40 veins, 0.4 to 15 m thick and 40 to 1,000 m long, of which 11 contain much sulfides. The following contents have been determined: 0.08 to 3.08% copper, up to 1.0% lead, 0.01 to 0.1% zinc, and 0.03 to 3 g of gold per tonne (44). 55/400-II Tagab-Soni I, Herat Province, 3426'N, 6348'E. A zone of subparallel quartz-sulfide veins and veinlets up to 900 m wide and 3 km long, is traced in Lower Carboniferous granitic rocks. Thicknesses vary between 0.1 and 10 m and lengths between 1.0 and 1.2 km. The following contents have been determined: 0.5 to 3.0% copper, 0.3 to 1% lead, and 0.01 to 0.07% tin (43). 56/400-II Bedan, Ghor Province, 3425'N, 6431'E. The occurrence represents a series of quartz and baritequartz veins and muscovite pegmatite dikes with disseminated sulfides. The country rock is Proterozoic schist. The contents are: more than 1% copper, up to 0.7% lead, up to 0.1% zinc and miner molybdenum, silver, and gold (44). 78/400-II Hasan-Sansalagay, see the seation on lead and zinc. 85/400-II Zawar, Ghor Province, 3410'N, 6355'E. Quartz veins with disseminated chalcopyrite, galena, and malachite, 0.7 to 2.0 m thick and up to 100 m long, have been found in a zone of shattered and ocherous shale, 50 to 100 m thick and 500 m long, of Early - Middle Jurassic age. The contents are as follows: 0.4% copper, up to 0.03% lead, and 0.01 to 0.07% zinc (44). 86/400-II Minara, Ghor Province, 3410'N, 6358'E. The mineralized material is localized in a shattered and ferruginous zone in calcareous shale and siltstone of Early to Middle Jurassic age. The zone is from 50 to 150 m in length and from 1.5 to 2.0 m in width and includes numerous quartz veins, centimeters to first several meters thick, with veinlets of sulfides and secondary copper minerals. The contents area 0.44% to 2.46% copper, 0.03 to 0.1% lead, and 0.07% zinc (44). 89/400-II Minara II, see the section on lead and zinc. 4/400-II Mir Ali, Herat Province, 3354'N, 6212'E. The mineralization zone occurs in dikes and stocks of granite porphyry, quartz porphyry, and diorite porphyry of Eocene to Oligocene age, invading Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous rocks. The contact zones contain steeply dipping lenticular bodies of silicified and epidotized breccias, 1 to 4 m thick and 3 to 15 m long, with malachite, azurite, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and fluorite. The contents are: 0.05 to 1.0% copper and 0.01 to 0.07% zinc (43). 7/400-III Shayda, I, Herat Province, 3352'N, 6150'E. The metallization occurs is zones that are strongly fractured, silicified and limonitized. These are confined to acid volcanic rocks of Late Jurassic - Early Cretaceous age, which are invaded by Oligocene granite. The zones are 3 to 8 m wide and are long as 100 m and enclose quartz veins and small bodies of quartz-limonite rocks containing films of malachite and azurite and coarsely disseminated relict grains of chalcopyrite. The contents are: 0.01 to 0.3% copper and up to 0.7% lead (146). 112

8/400-III Shayda III, Herat Province, 3351'10"N, 6149'E. A limonite body 5 to 15 m thick and 120 m long, is in a fault zone in the contact between Lower Cretaceous shale and Upper Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous quartz porphyry. Chalcopyrite and azurite are disseminated in this body. The contents area 0.2 to 1.17% copper, 0.07 to 5% lead, and 0.07 to 0.7% zinc (146). 10/400-III Shayda II, Herat Province, 3350'50"N, 6149'E. A continuous body of quartz-limonite rocks, up to 12 m thick and more than 200 m long, has been found in Upper Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous quartz porphyry lying in a fault block of Lower Cretaceous deposits. Isolated areas in the limonite contain thin quartz stringers and malachite films in fractures. The contents are: 0.05 to 0.7% copper, 0.1 to 2% lead, 0.07 to 2% zinc, up to 0.1% tin, up to 0.005% molybdenum, and up to 0.2% arsenic (146). 11/400-II Podar, Herat Province, 3350'N, 6233'E. Metallization is restricted to skarned and hornfelsed rocks, which compose zones, 10 to 15 m wide and up to 100 m long, at the exocontacts of granite intrusions and quartz porphyry dikes of Oligocene age. The ore contains 0.02 to 1% copper, up to 0.3% bismuth and zinc, and 0.01 to 0.00% lead (43). 16/400-III Dahane, Herat Province, 3346'N, 6201'E. A zone of skarned rocks, up to 200 m wide and 1.2 km long, is observed at the exocontact of Oligocene granite intruding Lower Cretaceous deposits . The skarns enclose veinlets and nests of magnetite and chalcopyrite. The contents are: 0.03 to 0.6%, more seldom up to 3.8% copper, up to 0.02% tin, and up to 1% lead (43). 17/400-III Tonura, see the section on lead and zinc. 18/400-III Qalamurgh, Herat Province, 3345'N, 6155'E. Lower Cretaceous limestone encloses a zone 1.0 m wide and 350 m long, of scarcely disseminated chalcopyrite, pyrite, malachite, and azurite. The contents are: 0.03 to 0.4%, more seldom up to 2.2% copper, up to 0.01% lead and zinc, and 0.5 g of gold per tonne (44). 20/400-III Northern, Herat Province, 3343'N, 6112'E. Altered quartz keratophyre of Late Jurassic - Early Cretaceous age, invaded by diabase dikes, encloses a zone of schistosity and hydrothermally altered rocks, up to 150 m wide and more than 1500 m long. The zone contains lenticular bodies of silicified rocks with disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, malachite, and azurite, 0.01 to 0.5 m in thickness and 25 to 100 m in length. The rocks grade 0.05 to 1.78-4.27% copper (146). 21/400-III Dusar, Herat Province, 3343' N, 6117'E. A fault zone in basic volcanics of Late Jurassic to Early Cretaceous age, intruded by numerous small bodies of diabase and gabbro-diabase, shows a belt of lensshaped outcrops of massive honeycomb ochreous limonite and quartz-limonite, 2 to 7.2 m thick, 30 to 150 m wide, and 2.2 km long. Below a gossan, a borehole first encountered strongly limonitised secondary quartzite and quartz-sericite schist and then schistose quartz keratophyre with disseminated pyrite. The maximum contents are: 0.06% copper and 0.05% zinc (146). 25/400-III Sordahana, Farah Province, 3325'N, 6148'E. A series of subparallel skarn zones is seen in Lower Cretaceous deposits invaded by Eocene - Oligocene granite porphyry. The skarns and enclosing rocks are intersected by diabase porphyry dikes of Miocene age. The zones vary in width between 0.5 and 11 m and are as long as 200 m. The skarns consist of garnet and vesuvian with iron hydroxides and scarcely disseminated malachite and chalcopyrite. The contents are: hundredth fractions of one per cent to 2.31% copper and 0.05 to 0.2% tin (69). 28/400-III Gologa, Farah Province, 3321'N, 6121'E. Eocene - Oligocene andesite encloses a zone of brecciated and ferruginous rocks exposed by an old opening for 40 m. The zone is mineralized by malachite, covellite, chalcocite, and pyromorphite. The ore contains 2.84 to 6.20% copper, up to 1% lead, and 0.1 to 0.7% zinc (43). 30/400-III Border-Side, Farah Province, 3315'N, 6040'E. The occurrence consists of two shattered zones, 4 and 5 m wide and 40 and 150 m long, in Eocene - Oligocene dacite and its tuff. These zones are silicified, sericitized, tourmalinized and epidotized. The sulfide mineralization is represented by pyrite, chalcopyrite, and chalcocite. The contents are: 1 to 2.55% copper and hundredth fractions of one per cent lead, zinc, arsenic, and antimony (43). 36; 44/400-III see the sections on iron (36, Korezak) and tin 113

49/400-III Gori-Safed, Farah Province, 3256'N, 6106'E. The mineralized rock is localized in a shattered zone in Eocene - Oligocene andesite porphyry. The zone, 30 to 50 m wide and 350 m long, is penetrated by quartz and quartz-carbonate stringers with films of malachite and azurite. The contents are: 0.02 to 0.8% copper and 1 g of gold per tonne (43). 50/400-III Chah Arusi, Farah Province, 3251'45"N, 6113'E. Skarns, 200 m thick and 500 to 600 m long, penetrated by malachite and azurite veinlets have been distinguished in the zone of contact between Lower Cretaceous marmorized limestone and an intrusion of Oligocene granite. The skarns contain 0.05 to 1.0% copper and up to 0.2% zinc (43). 57/400-III Mar Koh, Farah Province, 3246'N, 6058'E. The occurrence is restricted to skarns in Lower Cretaceous limestone intruded by Oligocene granite. The skarn zones, 10 to 20 m wide and as long as several hundred meters, include metallized intervals, 5 to 6 m thick and up to 30 m long, with disseminations and films of malachite and azurite. These intervals contain hundredth fractions of one per cent to 1% copper (43). 62/400-III Seh Ab, Farah Province, 3239'N, 6253'E. The occurrence is localized in a fault zone in Lower Cretaceous volcanic-terrigenous deposits. The zone, 120 to 130 m wide and 800 m long, contains quartz veins, 0.5 to 1 m thick and 15 to 30 m long, with disseminated copper sulfides and galena. The maximum contents are: 2.98% copper, 4.55% lead, and 1% zinc (43). 73/400-III Farah II, see the section of tungsten. 45/400-III Gareba, Farah Province, 3318'N, 6413'E. A skarn zone, 40 to 60 m in width and 3 km in length, is at the exocontact of intrusion of Upper Cretaceous - Paleocene diorite invading Lower Cretaceous limestone. The skarns contain scarcely disseminated chalcopyrites, galena, sphalerite, and pyrite. The contents are: 0.18 to 3.24% copper, up to 1% lead, up to 0.5% zinc, and up to 0.1% molybdenum and tungsten (44). 57/400-IV Durbas II, Farah Province, 3251'N, 6312'E. The mineralized material is restricted to lenticular subvolcanic bodies of hydrothermally altered dacite porphyry of Eocene - Oligocene age. The bodies, 20 to 200 m in thickness and 3 to 5 km in length, contain 0.01 to 0.3% upper and up to 0.07% zinc (45). 61/400-IV Rode Dusd, Farah Province, 3244'N, 6303'E. Disseminated malachite and azurite were reported from a zone, 10 to 20 m wide, of hydrothermally altered andesite of Eocene-Oligocene age. The copper content ranges from 0.1 to 0.29% (45). 63/400-IV Gurma, Farah Province, 3342'N, 6318'E. The occurrence is at the contact between Oligocene granitic rocks and Eocene-Oligocene volcanics. Two isolated areas, the Eastern and Western, have been distinguished. The former is near the north-east contact of the granitic intrusion and represents a pyritized zone in dacite-liparite volcanics. The zone, 10 to 200 m wide and more than 1 km long, contains 0.02 to 1% copper. The latter represents a series of quartz-carbonate veins in a 40 m wide zone with dense disseminations and veinlets of chalcopyrite, pyrite, and siderite. The veins are of horsetail type, up to 1.5 mthick in swells and 65 to 70 m long. They contain 0.01 to 9.68% copper, hundredth fractions of one per cent to 0.1% zinc, and up to 0.05% lead (45). 81; 83/400-IV see the sections on lead and zinc (81, Exposure 7757 (here and below the exposures are taken from the report by Yu.M. Devgal et al. (42)) - Tin); (83, Shin Ghar) (42). 88/400-IV Gbargey, Kandahar Province, 3213'N, 6542'E. Upper Triassic dolomite and limestone are intruded and skarned by Oligocene granitic rocks. The skarn zones range in width from 0.2-1 m to 10-15 m, the average width being 2.4 m. They are mineralized by magnetite, ludwigite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite averaging 1.58% copper (10% at maximum). Speculative copper reserves are 12 thousand tonnes. The tin content of the zone varies from hundredth fractions of one per cent to 0.51%; the maximum contents of other metals area 0.21% lead, 1.04% zinc, and 0.31% bismuth (42). 90/400-IV Chenar, see the section on tin. 92/400-IV Chawni, Kandahar Province, 3210'N, 6528'E. A granite stock encloses many quartz veins with disseminated copper minerals and malachite coatings. Their copper content varies between 0.2 and 0.41% (78). 114

101/400-IV Exp. 9390, see the section on lead and zinc. 31/500-I Andarab, Baghlan Province, 3538'N, 6856'30"E. A shattered zone, 0.5 to 2.5 m wide and 200 m long, has been distinguished in basic volcanics of Early Cretaceous age. It contains a series of quartzcarbonate veinlets with copper sulfide. Its copper content is 0.7% (71). 34/500-I Balkhob, Jawz-Jan Province, 3535'N, 6646'E. A zone of shattered, silicified, and limonitized rocks, 300 to 400 m wide and 4 to 5 km in length, has been distinguished near Upper Triassic subvolcanics, in sandy-clayey rocks of Ordovician age. The zone includes four strongly shattered segments 20 to 50 m thick and 300 to 400 m long with disseminated pyrite, malachite, and galena. Its copper content ranges from 0.25% to 1.34% and that of old slags is 1.66% (71). 38/500-I Gazoghel, Baghlan Province, 3534'N, 6850'40"E. A zone of shattered limonitized and gypsiferous rocks in acid volcanics of Late Triassic age has been traced along the strike for 5-8 km, its width varying between 500 and 600 m. Its copper content is 0.02% (71). 44/500-I Gazoghel 1, Baghlan Province, 3532'N, 6850'E. A shattered and limonitized zone, 150 to 300 m wide and 500 m long, has been noted in Upper Triassic volcanics. Its copper content is as much as 0.7% (71). 47/500-I Andarab 1, Baghlan Province, 3531'N, 6846'E. A shattered, silicified, limonitized, and malachitized zone, several hundred meters in width and 1 km in length, occurs in volcanic rocks and shale of Late Triassic age. Its copper content is 0.3% (44). 69/500-1 Tangi, Eshpushta, Bamyan Province, 3521'50" N, 6805'46" E. The metallized material is localized in fractures and shattered zones, 0.6 m wide and as long as 100 m, in Upper Cretaceous limestone. Breccias are cemented by limonite, jarosite, and chrysocolla with finely disseminated grey ore. The mineralized rock contains up to 5% copper and 0.01 to 0.03% silver (103). 80/500-1 Darrah-i-Alasang, Baghlan Province, 3518'59"N, 6807'16"E. Zones of skarned rocks, up to 3 m wide and as long as 200 m, have been found near the contact between an intrusion of Late Triassic granite and Middle - Upper Triassic shale. The skarns contain disseminated pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, galena, scheelite, cassiterite, and ilmenite. They contain 0.01 to 5.0% copper, 0.01 to 1.0% lead, 0.01 to 3.0% zinc, up to 0.01% silver, and up to 0.3% tin (103). 84/500-I Eshpushta, Baghlan Province, 3518'32"N, 6804'50"E. Mineralized ore skarned zones, up to 2 m wide and 30 to 40 m, more seldom 200 m long, in calcareous sandstone, gravelstone, and conglomerate of Middle-Late Triassic age. The chief ore minerals are chalcopyrite, pyrite, arsenopyrite, sphalerite, and molybdenite. The following maximum contents have been determined: 3% copper, 0.01% silver, 0,3% zinc, 0.1% lead, and 0.03% tin (103). 121/500-I Surkh-i-Parse, Parwan Province, 3451'N, 6839'E. Disseminated chalcopyrite has been found over an area of 9 sq km in marmorized limestone and quartzite of Carboniferous - Early Permian age. Uranium minerals have also been found at the occurrence (78). 154/500-I Khusk, see the section on lead and zinc. 164/500-I Maydan, Maydan Province, 3428'24"N, 6846'12"E, Quartz and quartz-barite veins have been reported from Proterozoic carbonates and schists. One of them, varying in thickness from 0.5 to 6 m and 500 m long, contains nests of malachite and disseminated chalcopyrite. Its copper content is to the range from 1 to 6% (141). 199/500-I Waras, Bamyan Province, 3413'N, 6653'E. A 300 m - segment of a fault line between Lower Cretaceous ultrabasics and terrigenous-carbonate deposits of the same age contains 3 to 10 m lenses of carbonate rocks with thin veinlets and films of malachite and azurite. Their copper content is 0.5% (75). 214/500-I Gulbina, see the section on tungsten. 8/500-II Shasan, Baghlan Province, 3551'N, 6923'E. Copper mineralization has involved a stock of Upper Triassic granitic rocks which invades volcanic rocks and shales of Middle - Late Triassic age. Within the southern contact, a zone of shattered, silicified, and pyritized material is observed in the country rocks, The 115

zone ranges in width from 50 to 800 m and is 2 km in length. The pyritized rock contains shattered and strongly limonitized intervals, 10 to 35cm thick and up to 10 m long, averaging 0.03% copper, 0.03% lead, and 0.07% zinc. This zone includes breccia of green volcanics with milky-white quartz cement. There are also quartz veins, 0.1 to 0.5 m thick and 3 to 5 m long, containing up to 0.58% lead, 0.07% copper, 0.03 to 0.1% zinc, and 0.01 to 0.05% tungsten (71). 16/500-II Ghorizang, Baghlan Province, 3546'N, 6924'E. The occurrence represents a series of small quartz veins and stringers distributed over an area of 1 sq km in Middle - Upper Triassic volcanic-terrigenous formations. The most strongly mineralized area is 3.5 m in width and 70 m in length. Here, the thickness of some quartz stringers is as much as 10 cm and length, 1.0 m. The quartz stringers contain reach disseminations of chalcopyrite, pyrite, and bornite grading 0.44 to 9.87% copper (71). 27/500-II Tele Doab, Baghlan Province, 3538'N 6941'E. The metallized material is restricted to the exocontact of a granite intrusion of Early Triassic age, invading Proterozoic schist. Quartz veins, 0.5 m thick, with finely disseminated pyrite and copper sulfides occur in the zone. The enclosing rocks are shattered and limonitized within a zone 180 to 200 m wide and 600 to 700 m long. The copper content varies between 0.02 and 0.05% and the zinc content, between 0.02 and 0.03% (71). 70/500-II Bazarak, Kapisa Province, 3521'N, 6931'E. Quartz veins with chalcopyrite up to 0.4 m thick, occur in micaceous schist and quartzite of Proterozoic age (40). 142/500-II Gado-China, Kabul Province, 3440'N, 6940'E. A shattered zone with quartz veins containing disseminated chalcopyrite has been discovered in a body of Oligocene granite intruding Vendian-Cambrian formations. This zone ranges in width from 5 to 10 m and in length from 150 to 200 m. The quartz veins vary in thickness from 0.2 to 0.3 m. The copper content is hundredth fractions of one per cent (39). 155/500-II Khaydarabad, Kabul Province, 3430'42"N, 6901'E. The copper mineralization is localized in a bed of Vendian-Cambrian quartzite with disseminated hematite and magnetite. The mineralized bed, 3 to 10 m thick, has been traced for 1 km. The copper minerals are chalcopyrite, which is scarcely disseminated and forms nests, and malachite, which occurs as films and coatings on walls of fractures. The copper content reaches 0.3% (141). 169/500-II Sultan Padshah, Kabul Province, 3425'25"N, 6908'10 6908'10"E. A mineralized zone, 20 to 30 m wide and 200 m long, has been traced in marmorized limestone and sandy-clay rocks of Vendian - Cambrian age. It includes numerous stringers and veins of quartz with disseminated chalcopyrite and covellite and coatings of malachite. Copper content of up to 0.63% is established over 1.5 m interval of thickness (141). 171/500-II Taghar, Kabul Province, 3425'53"N, 6922'43''E. Copper mineralization is confined to carbonate-mica, phyllite-like, and garnet-mica schists and marble of Vendian-Cambrian age. 19 discontinuous copper-bearing zones have been distinguished, their lengths being in the range from first several hundred meters to 6 km and widths from several. meters to 200 m. The zones are irregularly mineralized by chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcosite, covellite, malachite, and azurite which are disseminated or compose veinlets, nests, and costings. Intervals ranging in thickness from 3-15 to 40-70 m, seldom up to 100-200 my average 0.1-0.9% copper with more seldom maximum contents from 1.0 to 2.64% copper (141). 173/500-II Yagharda, Kabul Province, 3425'25"N, 6915'00"E. Copper mineralization is reported from Vendian-Cambrian 20 to 50 m thick and more than 2 km long. At one place, a 6 m interval contains 0.7% copper (141). 175/500-II Guldara II, Kabul Province, 3424'25"N, 6915'35"E. A zone of copper mineralization, 2 to 5 m wide and 30 to 50 m long, has been established in the Vendian - Cambrian marble. The zone contains 0.55% copper (141). 176/500-1 Mirzakhan, Kabul Province, 3424'05"N, 6921'35"E. Two copper-bearing zones, 10 to 35 and 10 to 20 m in width and 800 and 500 m in length respectively have been found in Vendian-Cambrian marble. A 35-m interval contains 0.24% copper and a 20-m interval, 0.32% copper (141).

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178/500-II Dawrankhel, Kabul Province, 3424'00"N, 6924'00"E. A copper-bearing zone, 5 to 8 m wide and 500 m long, has been traced at the contact between marble and carbonate-mica schist in Vendian-Cambrian rocks. Its 8 m interval contains 1.1% copper (141). 179/500-II Guldara I, Kabul Province, 3423'53"N, 6918'20"E. Two zones with disseminated covellite, chalcopyrite, chalcocite, and malachite have been distinguished in Vendian-Cambrian marble. Their widths are 25 to 35 m and 10 to 80 m, and lengths 1,000 and 450 m, respectively (141). 181/500-II Kharoti I, Kabul Province, 3423'12"N, 6920'50"E. A copper-bearing zone, 5 to 10 m in width and more than 200 m in length, has been found in Vendian-Cambrian marble. Its 10 m interval averages 0.99% copper (141). 182/500-II Charwozi I, Kabul Province, 3422'10"N, 6919'30"E. A copper-bearing zone, 8 m wide and 100 to 150 m long averaging 1.3% copper, is found in Vendian-Cambrian greenschist (141). 183/500-II Khurkabul, Kabul Province, 3422'20"N 6922'40"E. Three copper-bearing zones with widths ranging from to 50 m and lengths from 800 to 900 m have been established in marble and carbonate-mica, phyllite like and garnet-mica schists of Vendian-Cambrian age. The mineralizers are covellite, chalcopyrite, and chalcocite, which constitute irregular disseminations and veinlets. Seven 5 to 37 m intervals. average 0.18 to 0.36% copper (141). 184/500-II Kharoti II, Kabul Province, 3422'05"N, 6921'00"E. Nine copper-bearing zones, 3 to 75 m thick and 100 to 900 m long, have been found in Vendian-Cambrian marble. The zones average 0.15 to 0.94% copper (141). 185/500-II Chakari, Kabul. Province, 3422'00"N, 6923'20"E. A copper-bearing zone ranging in width from 3 to 5 m and 200 m long has been traced in Vendian-Cambrian marble. Copper content is 0.2% (141). 186/500-II Charwozi II, Kabul Province, 3421'55"N, 6918'45"E. A copper-bearing zone whose width varies between 3 and 5 m and length is 150 m is found in Vendian-Cambrian greenschist and marble. Its 5 m interval contains 1.89% copper (141). 188/500-II Zakhel, II, Kabul Province, 3421'20"N, 6917'30"E, Two copper-bearing zones, 2 to 10 and 20 to 35 m thick and 500 and 1,500 m long, respectively, have been distinguished in Vendian-Cambrian marble. In one of these zones, a 27 m interval contains 0.5% copper and a 32 m interval, 0.59% copper (141). 189/500-II. Baghgay, Kabul Province, 3421'15"N, 6918'30"E. Two copper-bearing zones, 3 to 10 m in thickness and 400 and 500 m in length, have been traced in marble, carbonate-mica schist and greenschist of Vendian-Cambrian age. In these zones, a 5 m interval contains 1.45% copper and a 4-m interval, 0.34% copper (141). 190/500-II Charwozi III, Kabul Province, 3420'50"N, 6918'00"E. In Vendian-Cambrian marble there is a copper-bearing zone, 1 m thick and 300 m long, containing 0.48% copper (141). 192/500-II Charwozi IV, Kabul Province, 3420'20"N, 6919'05"E. A copper-bearing zone, between 5 and 15 m in width and 400 m in strike length, is traced in marble and carbonate-mica schist of Vendian to Cambrian age. The zone averages 0.26% copper (141). 193/500-II. Zakhel I, Kabul Province, 3420'05"N, 6916'00"E. In Vendian-Cambrian marble there are two copper-bearing zones, 20 to 100 m wide and 1 km long, averaging 0.53% copper at an interval of 90 m, 0.34% copper at a 25 m interval and 1.06% copper at a 40 m interval (141). 194/500-II. Pahlangar, Kabul Province, 3420'00"N, 6917'55"E. The copper metallization occurs in brecciated, silicified, and carbonatized marble and phyllite-like schist of Vendian-Cambrian age. Three copper-bearing zones have been found, 2 to 8 m wide and 70, 150, and 450 m long. These zones average 0.55 to 3.18% copper (141). 199/500-II. Shinwar, Kabul Province, 3419'N, 6937'E. A shattered and malachitized zone, 1.5 m in width and 10-15 m is length and containing 2.35% copper is found is Eocene serpentinite (39).

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200/500-II. Qalagay, Logar Province, 3418'40"N, 6911'20"E. The occurrence, 60 sq m in area, is localized in Vendian-Cambrian quartzite with chalcopyrite nests and malachite coatings (141). 201/500-II. Lalmi Tangi, Kabul Province, 3418'33"N, 6920'35"E. A copper-bearing zone, 0.2 to 0.4 m wide and 200 m long, has been found in Vendian-Cambrian quartz mica schist Its copper content varies between 1.35 and 3.40% (141). 202/500-II. Gezgay, Kabul Province, 3418'N, 6922'E. Copper mineralization has involved marble strata enclosed in Vendian-Cambrian calcareous mica schist, and quartz veins. It consists of disseminations and veinlets of covellite and chalcocite, and malachite coatings. The marble encloses metallized material lenses, 0.1 to 1.0 m, more seldom 2 to 10 m thick and 5 to 15 m, more seldom up to 300 m long, containing 0.13 to 1.0%, more seldom up to 2.0% copper (141). 203/500-II. Omar, Kabul Province, 3417'55"N, 6926'10"E. The occurrence is restricted to a fault zone in mica, garnet, and calcareous schists, marble, quartzite, and amphibolite of Vendian-Cambrian age. The zone, 150 to 160 m in width and 500 - 650 m in length, is mineralized by chalcopyrite, covellite, chalcocite, bornite, and chrysocolla. It has been sampled over two intervals where copper content being 0.82% at the 23.5m. interval and 3.25% at the 5 m interval (141). 204/500-II Akorkhel, Kabul Province, 3417'30"N, 6917'00"E. 500"IT A mineralized zone, 50 to 60 m wide, is localized in Vendian-Cambrian greenschist. The ore minerals are chalcopyrite, chalcocite, and malachite (141). 206/500-II Janghuzay IV, Kabul Province, 3416 '40"N, 6924'00"E. Marmorized limestone, amphibolite, and schist of Vendian-Cambrian age enclose five zones, up to 6 m in width and 300 to 500 m in length, which are mineralized by malachite occurring as nests films, and coatings. The zones average 0.4 to 4.4% copper (141). 207/500-II Rajan, Kabul Province, 3416'36"N, 6927'36"E. Copper mineralization occurs in a shattered and silicified zone traced in Vendian-Cambrian schist. It varies in width between 5 and 10 m and is 1.2 km long. Ore minerals are bornite, chalcocite, and malachite, more seldom chalcopyrite, grey copper ore, and galena, which are disseminated or compose veinlets and nests. The metallized material contains 0.58 to 1.67% copper and 0.07 to 0.1% zinc (141). 208/500-II Batkhel II, Kabul Province, 3416'20"N, 6922'10"E. Marmorized limestone, quartzite, and biotite schist of Vendian-Cambrian age enclose four closely spaced zones, 400 to 800 m in length and totalling 32 m in width with disseminations and nests of chalcopyrite and malachite. The copper content ranges from 0.65 to 1.94% (141). 210/500-II Batkhel III, Kabul Province, 3416'10"N, 6922'45"E. Amphibole-garnet schist of VendianCambrian age contains disseminated chalcopyrite and covellite and malachite coatings in a band 6 to 30 m wide and 400 m long assaying 0.4 to 2.0% copper (141). 212/500-II Janghuzai III, Kabul Province, 3415'40"N, 0 6923'20"E. Three copper-bearing zones, 300 to 1,200 m in length and 1 to 6 m in width, which contain 0.2 to 3.0% copper, have been distinguished in Vendian-Cambrian amphibolite (141). 213/500-II Janghuzai II, Kabul Province, 3415'40"N, 6924'00"E. Marmorized limestone and schist of Vendian-Cambrian age enclose four copper-bearing zones whose widths vary between 1.5 and 15 m and lengths, between 300 and 1,300 m. The zones average 1.55 to 3.28% copper (141). 214/500-II Batkhel I, Kabul Province, 3415'35"N, 6922'30"E. Vendian-Cambrian schist encloses two zones, 5 and 9 m wide and 450 and 250 m long, respectively, with disseminated chalcocite, bornite, and covellite and nests and films of malachite and azurite. The copper content amounts to 0.96% (141). 215/500-II Janghuzay I, Kabul Province, 3415'10"N, 6923'10"E. Films and nests of malachite and azurite are observed in a zone, as ride as 6 m and as long as 500 m, which contains 2.05% copper and is enclosed in Vendian-Cambrian amphibolite (141).

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216/500-II Batkhel IV, Logar Province, 3414'50"N, 6921'50"E. Amphibolite and garnet-amphibole schist of Vendian-Cambrian age contains two zones, 1 to 10 m in width and 400 and 600 m in length, with disseminated chalcocite and covellite and nests of malachite. One of the zones averages 0.69% copper (141). 220/500-II Pache, Logar Province, 3414'05"N, 6916'50"E. A copper-bearing zone, 4 to 48 m wide and more than 500 m long with 0.9 to 1.6% copper, has been found in albitized rocks of Vendian-Cambrian age (141). 221/500-II Gundara, Logar Province, 3413'55"N 6915'40"E. Vendian-Cambrian schist and marble enclose three copper bearing zones ranging in width from 10 to 20 m and in length from 200 to 500 m, The zones average 0.8 to 1.6% copper (141). 223/500-II Gurgemaydan, Logar Province, 3413'40"N, 6922'00"E. A zone of silicified veinlets, 2 to 3 m wide and 30 to 40 m long, has been traced in Vendian-Cambrian marble. The veinlets contain malachite coatings and disseminated chalcopyrite. The copper content is 0.84% (141). 235/500-II Manay, see the section on lead and zinc. 237/500-II Darkh, Logar Province, 3402'35"N, 6922'40"E. Two closely spaced listwanite zones, each 2 m in width and 100 m in length, mineralized by chalcocite, cuprite, bornite, native copper, and malachite have been traced in Eocene ultrabasic rocks. The copper content is 4.1% (141). 72/500-III Kundoli, Ghazni Province, 3325'55"N, 6730'40"E. A shattered and hydrothermally altered zone, up to 15 m wide and 600 m long, with veinlets and disseminations of pyrite, chalcopyrite, and malachite, occurs in Proterozoic schist and sandstone. The copper content ranges from 0.03 to 1.64%, averaging 0.3% (42). 86/500-III Saydo, Ghazni Province, 3314'00"N, 6715'40"E. Early-Middle Devonian quartz sandstone more precisely the exocontact between a small diorite body and granite porphyry dikes of Late CretaceousPaleocene age encloses five shattered and hydrothermally altered zones varying in width between 2 and 6 m, with veinlets and disseminations of magnetite and chalcopyrite. The contents are: 0.2 to 5.82% copper (1% on the average), up to 0.01% bismuth, up to 1% arsenic, up to 0.005% combined tin and molybdenum, up to 0.003% silver, and 0.1 g of gold per tonne (42). 93; 109; 138/500-III see the section on gold (93, Khanabad; 109, Duman; and 138, Alaghzar). 129; 130/500-III see the section on tin (129, Kareztu) tungsten (130, Kodhak). 143/500-III Kohe-Sokhi, Oruzgan Province, 3256'N, 6648'E. The occurrence represents lenses of wollastonite-garnet-epidote skarn, varying in thickness from first few meters to 50-70 m at and up to 1.5 m long, with disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, and molybdenite. The skarn occurs in the contact between bodies of Oligocene granite and Late Triassic - Early Jurassic terrigenous-carbonate rocks. The ore contains 0.1 to 3.6% copper, up to 0.42% bismuth, up to 0.01% tin, and 0.05% molybdenum (42). 150/500-III Qarya-i-Baki, see the section on bismuth. 161; 164; 180/500-III see the section on gold (161, Khindjaktu Tana; 164, Leshkar Qala; and 180, Tanga). 207/500-III Saydan, Zabul Province, 3242'06"N, 6652'18"E. The metallized material fills a shattered and silicified zone, 15 m wide and 400 m long, controlled by a fault in Oligocene granodiorite. The copper content varies between 0.14 and 1.39% (42). 210/500-III Exp. 914, Oruzgan Province, 3241'N, 6628'30"E, A quartz vein with sulfide mineralization, between 0.5 m and 4.5 m thick and 100 m long, occurs in an intrusion of Oligocene granite. The vein assayed: 0.18 to 0.30% copper, 0.02 to 0.07% molybdenum, and 0.12 to 0.18% bismuth (42). 219/500-III Exp. 1305, Zabul Province, 3236'32"N, 6637'16"E. A serpentinized zone, 0.3 to 3.0 m wide and 60 m long, with pyrite, chalcopyrite, and malachite, is restricted to a contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granodiorite and Upper Devonian limestone. The zone contains 1.17 to 2.0% copper, 0.4 to 1.1 g of gold per tonne, up to 0.0003% silver, 0.01% tungsten, and 0.1% zinc (42).

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230/500-III Hazarbuz, Zabul Province, 3233'N, 6631'40"E. The occurrence is localized in an epidote garnet skarn zone, varying in thickness between 1 and 10.6 m and being 200 m long, at the contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and Upper Permian limestone. The skarn contains disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, and bornite, with 0.86 to 1.55% copper and 0.3 to 1.8 g of gold per tonne (42). 236/500-III Ekrak, see the section on gold. 239/500-III Kunagh, Zabul Province, 3229'34"N, 6635'55"E. The occurrence represents skarned rocks and diopside and garnet skarns at the contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and quartz sandstone and limestone of Devonian age. The skarns enclose disseminated chalcopyrite, chalcocite, bornite, and covellite and at maximum contain 6.75% copper, 29 g of gold per tonne, and 0.05% zinc (42). 243/500-III Daryabhar, see the section on gold. 246/500-III Sare Surkh, Zabul Province, 3226'18"N, 6636'28' E. Skarn bodies, as thick as 4 m and 250 m long, occur at the contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and Upper Devonian limestone. They contain 0.05 to 14.23% copper, up to 0.05% lead, 0.02 to 0.1% zinc, and up to 96 g of gold per tonne. 300 m north-east of the Sare Surkh occurrence, skarn zones, 10 to 15 m in width (the Darya-i-Ob occurrence) occur in a similar environment. The contents are: 0.58 to 2.64% copper and 2-6 to 114 g of gold per tonne (116). 247; 251; 252; 254/500-III see the section on gold (247, Buzgalasang II; 251, Tugra, 252, Charang; and 254, Exp. 543). 257/500-III Argatu, Kabul Province, 3218'N, 6630'20"E. Skarn zones with copper mineralization have been found in contact between Late Cretaceous to Paleocene diorite intrusion and Vendian to Cambrian carbonate-terrigenous formations. Individual skarn lenses contain 0.38% copper over a 2 m thickness, 1.7% copper over a 5 m thickness, and 2.87% copper over a 2 m thickness in a zone 150 m in strike length (98). 260/500-III Chahkrak, Zabul Province, 3216'40"N, 6628'31" E. The occurrence is restricted to a fault zone with brecciated, ochreous, and silicified rocks in Proterozoic quartz-feldspar sandstone. The zone, 1 km long and 2 to 8 m wide contains 0.05 to 0.7% copper, 0.01 to 0.05% lead (9.22% at maximum), 0.01 to 0.07% zinc, and 0.2 to 1.8 g of gold per tonne (98). 261/500-III Anagay, Zabul Province, 3216'31"N, 6633'51"E. A shattered and ferruginous zone, varying in width between 50 and 120 m and being 1.5 km long, has been found in sandstone, quartzite, and marble of Proterozoic age. Fractures are filled with malachite. The contents are: 0.1 to 0.67% copper and up to 1.6-1.7 g of gold per tonne (110). 262/500-III Turwa, Zabul Province, 3215'59"N, 6629'38"E. A skarnified and hornfelsed zone, 30 to 40 m in width and 2.2 km in length, with disseminated sulfides, has been distinguished at the contact between an intrusion of Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite and carbonate-terrigenous rocks of Vendian-Cambrian and Proterozoic age. The southern, most intensely mineralized part of the zone has a width in the range from 2 to 14 m. The maximum contents are: 1.72% copper, 0.007% tin, 0.02% bismuth, and 0.5 g of gold per tonne (98). 267/500-III Bala, Zabul Province, 3214'04"N, 6631'34"E. A brecciated and limonitized zone, 1 to 15 m wide and 1 km long, occurs at the contact between an intrusion of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite and Vendian-Cambrian marble. A segment 5 to 10 m in width and 200 m in length is mineralized by malachite and, more rarely, pyrite. The contents are as follows: 0.08 to 7.03% copper, up to 0.96% lead, up to 0.35% zinc, and hundredth fractions of one per cent combined tin and antimony. The south-western part of the contact zone shows magnetite and magnetite-pyroxene skarns varying in thickness between 0.5 and 10 m and 70 m long (the Yizan occurrence). In areas with the observable manifestations of copper mineralization (chalcopyrite, bornite, and covellite), the copper content is as much as 9% while the entire skarn zone averages 0.5-0.6% copper. Along with copper, the following contents were determined: 0.75% lead, 0.85% zinc, 0.01% cadmium, 0.1% molybdenum, and 0.02% tungsten (42). 271/500-III Bagwan, Zabul Province, 3212'56"N, 6630'04"E. The occurrence comprises lenticular bodies, 2.5 to 3 m thick, of magnetite-pyroxene skarn with finely disseminated bornite. It occurs in a zone of contact between an intrusion of Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene quartz monzonite and Vendian-Cambrian marble and contains 0.2 to 1.35% copper and 0.2% lead. 200 m farther to the south-west, skarned and serpentinized 120

rocks with densely disseminated chalcopyrite and pyrite are observable in a zone of contact between an intrusion of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite porphyry and limestone and sandstone of CambrianOrdovician age (the Bagwan I occurrence). The following contents were determined: 0.1 to 3.57% copper, 0.6 to 18.8 g of gold per tonne, up to 0.005% silver, 0.01% bismuth, and 0.05% zinc (42). 274/500-III Darushak, Zabul Province, 3210'40"N 6621'49"E. Shattered, skarned, and hydrothermally altered zones have been found at the exocontact of an intrusion of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite surrounded by Middle-Upper Jurassic limestone. The zones of brecciated limestone are metallized by disseminations and veinlets of pyrite, chalcopyrite, and grey copper ore, as well as by coatings of chrysocolla. In these zones, the copper content ranges from 0.83% to 7.679 and the gold content amounts to 33 g per tonne. Epidote-diopside, epidote-garnet, and. diopside-garnet skarns compose small lenses, 1 to 3 m thick, and nests with veinlets and scattered particles of chalcopyrite, bornite, pyrite, hematite, and magnetite. The contents are: 1.36 to 2.59% copper and 1.1 to 12.4 g of gold per tonne (116). 281/500-III Argasu (I, II, III), Zabul Province, 3206'02"N, 6620'07"E. The occurrence is restricted to the exocontact of an intrusion of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite and Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic limestone. It is represented by zones of skarned and hydrothermally altered, brecciated rocks. Diopside skarn makes up lenses as thick as 3-4 m and as long as 12 m. The rocks are serpentinized and carry disseminated pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite. The contents are: 0.03 to 9.41% copper (1.25% on the average), 0.1 to 20 g of gold per tonne (2.7 g/t on the average), 0.06 to 0.59% lead, and 0.27 to 0.55% zinc. The zones of shattered and ferruginous intrusive rocks and limestones vary in thickness between 0.2 and 7 m and in length between 50 and 200 m. The metallized rocks contain disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, magnetite, and hematite. The contents are 0.1 to 2.32% copper, 0.96% lead, 0.27% zinc, and up to 127 g of gold per tonne (24.2 g/t on the average) (42). 282/500-III Hasanzay, see the section on gold. 283/500-III Char Su, Zabul Province, 3202'54"N, 6618'10''E. The zone of contact between an intrusion of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite and Middle-Upper Jurassic limestone contains lenses of garnet, diopside, and magnetite-hematite skarns, 3 to 10 m thick and up to 600 m long. At the exocontact, the rocks, including skarns, are serpentinized or, more rarely, silicified. The mineralized rocks enclose veinlets and disseminations of pyrite, chalcopyrite, covellite, bornite, malachite, cuprite, azurite, and native gold. The copper content varies between 0.53 and 1.83% and the gold content between 0.3 and 2.6 g/t. Along with skarns, the copper mineralization has involved a zone of severely fractured and limonitized limestone, 0.6 to 26 m wide and 400 m long. The zone contains 0.8 to 1.98% copper and 1.25 to 4.2 g of gold per tonne (42). 284/500-III Exposure 7273, Zabul Province, 3202'34"N, 6618'16" E. Garnet-diopside skarn, up to 7 m thick and as long as 110 m, has been found at the contact between Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite and Middle-Upper Jurassic limestone. The skarn contains disseminated chalcopyrite. The following contents have been determined: 0.06 to 2.24% copper, 0.8 to 9.0 g of gold per tonne, and 0.1% zinc (42). 17/500-IV Zandar Garay, Paktya Province, 3312'30'', 6932'E. The occurrence is restricted to a fault zone between Lower Carboniferous shale and Eocene conglomerate. The rocks are brecciated and hydrothermally altered. Malachite incrustations and coatings have been found; some patches show disseminations and concentrations of pyrite and chalcopyrite, the copper content within their limits equalling 0.06% (158). 4/600-II Zandar I, Kandahar Province, 3157'01"N, 6555'00''E. Mineralization occurs in a fault zone within Oligocene granite and at its contact with Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous sandstone. The rocks in the fault zone, 30 m wide, are brecciated and silicified. There occur veinlets and fine disseminations of chalcopyrite and films of malachite and azurite. The mineralized zones vary in thickness between 1 and 1.5 m, are as long as 10 m, and contain up to 5.16% copper, 0.1% lead, 0.07% zinc, and 0.5 to 10 g of gold per tonne (42). Showings 13/200-II Badakhshan Province, 3815'N, 7044'E. Copper mineralization occurs within small shattered zones in Lower Carboniferous volcanics (106). 17/200-11 Badakhshan Province, 3811'N, 7031'30"E. Mineralization is confined to small zones of shattering, foliation, and fracturing in Lower Carboniferous rocks. The copper mineral is malachite (106). 121

20/200-II Badakhshan Province, 3810'N, 7037'E. Small shattered zones with quartz and quartz-carbonate stringers bearing copper mineralization are localized in Middle-Upper Carboniferous rocks. The shattered zones are as wide as 1.5 m and range in length from tens of meters to first several hundred meters, while the stringers are 20 cm thick or thinner and are first several meters in length (106). 22/200-II Badakhshan Province, 3809'10"N and 7110'08"E. Talus slopes yield floats of deeply limonitized rocks. They contain 0.1 to 5.0% copper, up to 0.03% bismuth, up to 0.05% lead, 0.03% zinc, up to 0.1% arsenic, 0.01% antimony, and up to 0.01% silver (130). 26/200-II Badakhshan Province, 3807'30"N, 7032'E. Quartz, quartz-carbonate, and epidote-quartz stringers have been found in Lower Carboniferous volcanics. The stringers are 20 cm thick and first several meters in length. The ore minerals are malachite, chalcopyrite, and covellite (106). 8/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3750'30"N, 7111'30"E. A shattered 1.5 m wide zone, mineralized by copper sulfides has been found in Eocene-Oligocene granite porphyry (106). 54:55/200-IV see the section on gold. 91/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3652'N, 7041'E. On talus slopes related to Proterozoic gneisses, there have been found fragments of silicified garnet gneiss with magnetite crystals and malachite coatings, their copper content varying between 0.06 and 3.0% (130). 165/200-IV Baghlan Province, 3602'22"N, 6911'14"E. Late Triassic granitic rocks enclose finely scattered fragments and lenses, 0.1 x 2 m in size, of copper sulfides, with the copper content of 0.3% and combined zinc and tin content of 0.01% (103). 168/200-IV Baghlan Province, 3600'N, 6911'16''E. Late Triassic granitic rocks contain disseminated sulfides, with the copper content of 0.3% (103). 51/400-II Ghor Province, 3431'N, 6525'E. Mineralization is confined to a zone of shattering and hematitization in Eocene siltstone. The zone is first several hundred meters in width and contains 0.05 to 0.5% copper, 0.3% lead, and 0.03% zinc (104). 90/400-11 Ghor Province, 3409'N, 6417'E. Lower-Middle Jurassic shale encloses a siderite lens, 4 x 15 m in size, with quartz stringers mineralized by sulfides. Metal contents are: up to 0.5% copper, up to 0.07% lead, and 0.05% zinc (44). 13/400-III Herat Province, 3347'N, 6117'E. A diabase dike with a quartz vein is found in Late JurassicEarly Cretaceous quartz porphyry. The vein is mineralized by chalcopyrite occurring as finely scattered particles and nests, and films of secondary copper minerals. The vein is 0.2 to 0.4 m thick and 9 m long. Its copper content is 1.04% (146). 19/400-III Herat Province, 3344'N, 6117'E. Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous volcanics, distributed over an area of 0.12 sq km, enclose quartz-limonite rocks. A borehole has encountered, at a depth interval of 4060 m, severely shattered quartz porphyry variously mineralized by pyrite. The following contents have been determined: up to 0.06% copper, up to 0.07% zinc, and 0.2 to 0.5 g of gold per tonne (146). 22/400-III Herat Province, 3341'N, 6114'E. Malachite and azurite films, as well as scarcely disseminated chalcopyrite, have been noted in a zone as thick as 0.7 m and 25 m in length, surrounded by shattered and silicified keratophyre of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous age. The copper content amounts to 0.85% (146). 60/400-III Farah Province, 3243'N, 6256'E. Oligocene granite encloses a shattered zone, 2 m wide and 10 12 m long, with quartz stringers containing disseminated sulfides. The copper content varies between 0.61 and 1.86% and the lead content between 1.9 and 3.79% (44). 63/400-III Farah Province, 3235'N, 6130'E. Silicified and ochreous rocks, as well as chrysocolla films, are observed in a zone of shattering, 1 to 7 m wide and 40-50 m long, enclosed in Lower Cretaceous extrusiveterrigenous rocks. The copper content is 0.1% (44).

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69/400-III Farah Province, 3220'N, 6219'E. A skarned and shattered zone occurs at the contact between an intrusion of Late Cretaceous-Paleogene granite and Lower Cretaceous calcareous-terrigenous rocks. The zone, 3 m wide and 10 m long, consists of garnetiferous and garnet-epidote skarns containing disseminated copper sulfides that assay between 0.7% and 3.21% copper (41). 78/400-IV Kandahar Province, 3218'17"N, 6557'20"E. Lower Triassic limestone is invaded by a porphyritic dike 9 to 10 m thick. 0.8 to 1.0-m-wide zones have been found in its selvages, with disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite. The zones contain 0.2% copper, 0.14% lead, 0.01% zinc, and 0.001% silver (42). 54/500-I Samangan Province, 3528'40"N, 6748'57"E, Middle-Upper Triassic sequence encloses a silicified zone with a quartz lens, 1 m in length and 10 cm in thickness, impregnated with pyrite, hematite, and limonite. The zone contains 0.03% copper and 0.03% zinc (103). 65/500-I Baghlan Province, 3524'14''N, 6811'25"E. 20 m thick skarned rocks and 15x6 m skarn lenses have been distinguished at the contact between a granodiorite stock and Upper Cretaceous limestone. The ore minerals, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and magnetite are disseminated (103). 77/500-I Baghlan Province, 3519'N, 6810'E. Intensely silicified and pyritized zone, 15 to 30 m wide and more than 200 m long, has been found at the contact between an intrusion of Late Triassic granodiorite and Upper Triassic sandstone and volcanics. The copper content is 0.03% (71). 85/500-I Baghlan Province, 3518'24"N, 6805'32"E. Acid extrusive rocks, tuff sandstone, and conglomerate of Late Triassic age enclose a shattered zone, 0.5 m in width and 30 m in length, with disseminated chalcopyrite, malachite, and sphalerite. The zone contains 0.3% copper, 0.1% zinc, and 0.01% tin (103). 92/500-I Bamyan Province, 3510'02"N, 6731'41"E. Chrysocolla coatings have been found in MiddleUpper Triassic siliceous rocks. The copper content is 0.3%, the silver content is 0.001% (103). 165/500-I Kabul Province, 3428'00"N, 6857'15" E. Vendian-Cambrian quartzite and marble enclose a shattered zone, 50 to 70 m in width and 250 m in length, of copper-bearing rock. Its copper content is as high as 0.2% (141). 167/500-I Kabul Province, 3427'N, 6855'E. Malachitization occurs in a fault zone, 1 to 5 m wide and 200 m long, in quartzite, shale and carbonate of Vendian-Cambrian age. The copper content is 0.05% (39). 169/500-I Kabul Province, 3426'10"N, 6859'20"E. There has been found a quartz vein, 0.1 to 1.5 m in width and 600 m in length, with chalcopyrite. The copper-bearing rock is restricted to the northern wall of the vein, which intersects Proterozoic metamorphics in a 30 m long zone, the copper content being 0.9% (141). 33/500-II Baghlan Province, 3536'N, 6909'E. A shattered zone is found in a chert xenolith whose exposure is surrounded by Early Triassic granitic rocks. The zone is 5 to 7 m wide and 12 m long and contains 0.05 to 0.07% copper (71). 168/500-II Kabul Province, 3425'10"N, 6901'53"E. A quartz vein, 0.5 to 1.2 m in thickness and 50 m in length, with chalcopyrite nests and malachite films, cuts Upper Triassic limestone. The copper content is 2.3% (141). 174/500-II Kabul Province, 3424'30"N, 6906'00''E. Vendian-Cambrian schist is cut by numerous quartz veins, 0.5 to 0.7 m thick and 5 to 10 m long, with disseminations and nests of chalcopyrite and malachite (141). 187/500-II Kabul Province, 3421'40"N, 6939'15"E. Limonitized and malachitized rocks, containing up to 0.33% copper, occur in the contact zone between a body of Eocene serpentinite and Paleogene siltstone, particularly in the 6 x 18 m area. The copper content is as high as 0.33% (141). 238/500-II Logar Province, 3402'N, 6922'E. Copper-bearing rocks are restricted to a shattered zone at the contact between a bed-shaped porphyritic body and Upper Triassic limestone and siltstone. These rocks are mineralized by secondary copper minerals. The width of the zone is in the range from 5 to 10 m and the length is 50-70 m. The copper content is 0.07% (39).

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9/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3357'41"N, 6635'E. A shattered, limonitized, and chloritized zone is found in Proterozoic granitic gneiss. Its maximum width is 20 m and length 1 km. The zone contains 0.2% copper, 0.05% tungsten, 0.01% tin, and 0.01% zinc (39). 10/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3357'12"N, 6645'08"E. Proterozoic diorite and plagiogranite are cut by quartz-tourmaline stringers, 0.1 to 0.2 m thick, with disseminated sulfides. The copper content varies between 0.03 and 0.1% (146). 22/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3953'40"N, 6641'E. Shattered and malachitized zones, with the widths ranging from 0.1 m to 0.5 m, occur in Proterozoic schist. The zones contain 0.02 to 0.1% copper and 0.01% zinc (146). 25/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3353'03"N, 6637'28"E. Quartz stringers with disseminated sulfides are found in cherty silt-sandstone of Proterozoic age. The following contents have been found: 0.1% copper, 0.05% tungsten, 0.01% zinc, and up to 0.02% combined tin and arsenic (146). 29/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3351'40"N, 6634'53"E. Hydrothermally altered granite of Proterozoic age, which makes up a belt as wide as 6 m, contains 0.3% copper, up to 0.06% tungsten, and up to 0.03% tin (146). 35/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3348'30''N, 6634'E. A lamprophyre dike with disseminated sulfides occurs in a stock of Oligocene granite in Proterozoic rocks. The thickness of the dike is 0.7 m and the length 100 m. The copper content is 0.2% (146). 36/500-III see the section on tin. 38/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3347'16''N, 6636'18''E. Pegmatite dikes and granite veins of Oligocene age, with scarcely disseminated sulfides, occur in Proterozoic metamorphics. The contents are: 0.2% copper, 0.03% tungsten, and up to 0.01% tin (146). 39/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3347'21''N, 6645'09''E. An area 250 sq km in size consisting of silicified rock with nests of grey ore was found in Oligocene granite. The following contents have been determined: 2.0% copper, 0.1% tin, 0.05% tungsten, 0.04% zinc, 0.05% arsenic, and 0.008% bismuth (146). 57/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3343'17"N, 6620'46"E. Shattered zones, 0.1 to 0.3 m wide, occur in muscovite-tourmaline pegmatite intersecting Proterozoic metamorphics. These zones contain 0.1% copper and 0.01% combined lead and lithium (146). 61/500-III Oruagan Province, 3338'55'N, 6604'33"E. Shattered 0-0.5 m wide zone with malachite has been found is Oligocene granite. Metal contents are: 0.2% copper, 0.02% tin, and 0.01% molybdenum (146). 67/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3335'09''N, 6630'02''E. Shattered and malachitized zones, 0.1 to 0.5 m in width and 20 to 30 m in length, occur in Oligocene granite. The zones contain 0.4% copper, 0.06% molybdenum, 0.04% bismuth, 0.04% tungsten, and 0.01% lithium (146). 80/500-III see the section on tin. 92/500-III Ghazni Province, 3311'50"N, 6748'40''E. A 4 to 6 m wide band of shattered greisenized rocks is discovered in Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite. The copper content is 0.1% and bismuth content is 0.05% (42). 94/500-III Ghazni Province, 3310'35"N, 6747'05''E. A silicified and sericitized zone, 180 m long, is restricted to a fault in Ordovician sandstone. The zone shows disseminated galena, sphalerite, and chalcopyrite and contains 0.1 to 0.6% copper, 0.1 to 0.4% lead, 0.1 to 0.5% zinc, and 0.1 to 0.4 g of gold per tonne (42). 95/500-III Ghazni Province, 3310'35''N, 6738'45''E. Quartz stringers with copper sulfides and oxides have been found in Upper Devonian sandstone. The copper content is 0.22% (42). 98/500-III Ghazni Province, 3309'25''N, 6744'15"E. Lens-shaped bodies of ludwigite-epidote skarn and serpentinized zones with disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, and sphalerite have been found in Devonian marmorized limestone forming roof remnants in Oligocene granite. The contents are: up to 1% combined copper and lead, 0.3% zinc, and 0.3 g of gold per tonne (42). 124

103/500-III Ghazni Province, 3307'40''N, 6723'10"E. A diorite inlier in Oligocene granite encloses a mineralized zone, 0.2 m thick, containing 0.1% copper, 0.001% silver, and hundredth of fractions of one percent combined bismuth, tin, tungsten, and cobalt (42). 110/500-III Ghazni Province, 3306'N, 6726'E. A silicified zone ranging in width from 120 to 150 m and 300 m long occurs in Oligocene granite. It includes a great number of quartz veins, 0.05 to 0.5 m thick and as long as 100 m, with disseminated pyrite, galena, and chalcopyrite. The maximum metal contents are: 0.38% copper, 0.05% molybdenum, and 0.005% bismuth (42). 113/500-III Ghazni Province, 3304'25''N, 6740'05"E. A quartz vein 15 cm in thickness and more than 200 m in length contains disseminated sulfides and is enclosed in Ordovician siltstone. Its content of copper is 0.44% and of lead, 0.01% (42). 117/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3301'30''N, 6652'E. Veinlets and disseminations of pyrite, magnetite, and chalcopyrite with malachite films occur in a skarned zone that is enclosed in Upper Permian limestone and is from 3 to 8 m wide and 70 m long. The zone occurs at the contact of an intrusion of Oligocene granite and contains 0.05 to 1.94% copper and 0.01 to 0.03% zinc (42). 119/500-III Ghazni Province, 3301'50''N, 6715'40''E. A quartz vein with disseminated chalcopyrite and bornite and malachite films intersects Early Cretaceous diorite. It varies in thickness between 0.4 and 0.6 m and is 20 m in length. Metal contents are: 0.5% copper, 0.01% bismuth, and 0.005% molybdenum (42). 122/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3301'N, 6650'E. Epidote-garnet skarn, 1 to 7 m thick and 500 m long, occurs at the contact between Oligocene granite and Upper Permian limestone. The skarn metallized by magnetite and secondary minerals of copper, iron, and manganese assays 0.45% copper and 0.1% zinc (42). 123/500-III see the section on lead and zinc. 131/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3258'N, 6646'E. A shattered zone has been found in Oligocene granite. It is 5 m in thickness and 300 m in length and contains 0.25 to 3.84% copper (42). 132/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3258'30"N, 6649'E. A zone, 3 m wide and 25 m in strike length, consisting of serpentinized and marmorized rocks in Carboniferous Lower Permian limestone, in contact with an intrusion of Oligocene granite, assays 1.69% copper (42). 135/500-III Ghazni Province, 3257'50''N, 6710'15"E. A silicified zone with disseminated chalcopyrite and bornite and films of malachite and azurite has been found in Oligocene granite. The zone, 0.4 m wide and 80 m long contains 3.19% copper, up to 0.01% silver, and 0.05% zinc (42). 137/500-III Ghazni Province, 3257'05"N, 6712'50"E. A quartz vein with disseminated sulfides cuts through a dike of Oligocene aplite. The vein, 1 m in thickness and 30 m in length, contains 0.19% copper and 0.01% bismuth (42). 153/500-III Ghazni Province, 3255'05"N, 6719'10"E. A quartz vein, between 0.5 and 4.5 m in thickness and 100 m long, occurs in Oligocene granite. The vein contains 0.18 to 3.0% copper, 0.12 to 0.18% bismuth, and 0.02 to 0.07% molybdenum (42). 172/500-III Ghazni Province, 3249'56''N, 6713'59"E. A silicified zone, 15 m thick and 30 m long, occurs along a fault in Silurian sandstone. The copper content is 1.48% (108). 178/500-III Zabul Province, 3246'30"N, 6645'30"E. A skarn zone at the contact between a stock of Oligocene granitic rocks and Vendian-Cambrian terrigenous-carbonate rock unit contains up to 1.22% copper and 0.08% bismuth (42). 184/500-III Zabul Province, 3245'59"N, 6703'13''E. A quartz vein with densely disseminated chalcopyrite and malachite films intersects Silurian marmorized limestone. The vein, 0.2 m thick and 6 m long, contains 11.34% copper (108). 193/500-III see the section on gold.

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195/500-III Ghazni Province, 3244'25"N, 6716'45"E. A dike of hydrothermally altered diabase invading the Proterozoic rocks has assayed 0.1% copper, 0.01% tungsten, and 0.05% zinc (42). 198/500-III Zabul Province, 3244'27"N, 6704'51''E. A series of quartz veins with disseminated chalcopyrite and pyrite is traceable in Proterozoic sandstone underlying an area of 25 sq km. The veins, 0.1 m thick and up to 6 m long, assay 4.46% copper, and 0.4 g/t gold (42). 201/500-III Zabul Province, 3243'22", 6701'22"E. A shattered zone with disseminated chalcopyrite and malachite films occurs along a fault in an intrusion of Oligocene granodiorite. The zone, 0.5 m in width and 15 m in length, contains 1.55% copper (108). 203/500-III Zabul, 3243'44''N, 6702'30"E. A silicified zone, 2.5 m wide and 15 m long, with scarcely disseminated chalcopyrite, has been found in Proterozoic schist. In. this zone copper content is 1.59% (108). 208/500-III Zabul Province, 3242'10"N, 6713'45"E. A zone 5 to 6 m in width and 60 m in length, with poorly mineralized quartz stringers, has been established in Proterozoic sandstone. The copper content ranges from 0.09% to 0.17% (42). 214/500-III Zabul Province, 3238'18"N, 6633'08''E. A quartz vein with disseminated chalcopyrite occurs in a remnant of Devonian quartz sandstone enclosed in an intrusion of Oligocene granite. The vein, 0.2 m thick and 5 m long, contains 1.02% copper (108). 215/500-III Zabul Province, 3238'18"N, 6655'27''E. A heavily silicified zone, 5 m wide and 50 m long, with disseminated chalcopyrite and chrysocolla films is localized in a fault cutting through Ordovician sandstone. The copper content is 3.17% (108). 222/500-III Zabul Province, 3236'07''N, 6705'35"E. A quartz vein 1.5 m in thickness and 12 m in length is enclosed in Proterozoic sandstone. It contains 1.85 to 2.52% copper and 0.1 g of gold per tonne (42). 1225/500-III Zabul Province, 3234'11''N, 6633'01"E. Small skarn bodies occur in a contact zone between Oligocene granite and Upper Permian serpentinized dolomite. The skarns assay 0.39 to 1.4% copper, 0.3 to 1.2 g of gold per tonne, 0.1% zinc, and up to 0.01% lead (42). 1238/500-III Zabul Province, 3230'34"E, 6640'56''E. Skarns, skarned and serpentinized rocks have been found in the contact zone between a stock of Oligocene granite and limestones of Ordovician and VendianCambrian age. The copper content ranges from 0.86 to 0.96%, that of gold, from 4 to 5 g/t (42). 241/500-III Zabul Province, 3229'17''N, 6701'30"E. A silicified zone, 8 to 10 m thick and more than 200 m long, is discovered in Proterozoic sandstone. It contains 0.55% copper (42). 242/500-III Zabul Province, 3228'07''N, 6637'13''E. A zone of fractured and hydrothermally altered rocks has been found in an intrusion of Oligocene granite. The zone contains 1.03% copper and 1.6 g of gold per tonne (42). 266/500-III Zabul Province, 3214'11''N, 6625'45"E. Garnet-magnetite-pyroxene skarn with disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite has been found at the contact between a stock of Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite and limestone and quartz sandstone of Silurian age. The width of the skarn zone varies between 0.5 and 2.0 m and its length is 150 m. The zone contains 0.01 to 2.32% copper, up to 127 g of gold per tonne, up to 0.96% lead, and up to 0.27% zinc (98). 269/500-III see the section on gold. 8/500-IV Paktya Province, 3316'06"N, 6936'35"E. A zone of poorly limonitized rocks with secondary zinc minerals and chrysocolla coatings has been found in Lower Carboniferous greenstone and porphyrite. The length of the zone is 150-170 m; its width ranges from 1.5 to 2.0 m. The contents are: 0.1% copper, 0.1% zinc, and 0.06% lead (111). 9/500-IV Paktya Province, 3315'10''N, 6937'32"E. A zone of skarned limestone, 2 to 2.5 m wide and 80-90 m long, has been found in Lower Carboniferous rock unit. The zone assays 0.1% copper and 0.1% zinc (111).

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3/600-II Kandahar Province, 3157'08''N, 6551'32''E. A stock of Oligocene granite is cut by a quartz vein with coatings of malachite and azurite. The vein, 3 m thick and 20 m, long contains 0.5% copper (42). 7/600-II Kandahar Province, 3154'49"N, 6559'32"E. Disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite occur in a shattered zone, 150 m in length, found in Oligocene granite. The copper content is 1% (42). 8/600-II Kandahar Province, 3154'11"N, 6553'22"E. Fractures in cataclastic and limonitized granite of Oligocene age are filled with a rock enclosing veinlets and disseminations of chalcopyrite, bornite, chrysocolla, malachite, and jarosite. The width of the mineralized zone is 25 m and its length is 40 m. The zone contains 0.05 to 2.26% copper, 0.05 to 0.28% lead, and 0.05 to 0.09% zinc (42). 16/600-II Kandahar Province, 3148'48"N, 6553'00"E. Lower Cretaceous serpentinite encloses a mineralized zone, 3 m wide and 20-40 m long, with disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, malachite, azurite, and covellite. The following contents have been determined: 0.5% copper and 0.02% zinc (42). 12/700-I Kandahar Province, 3151'17''N, 6604'16"E. Sulfide-bearing quartz veins, ranging in thickness from 0.1 to 0.3 m and up to 300 m long, are discovered in Lower Cretaceous conglomerate. The veins contain 2.37 to 2.92% copper (42). 17/700-I Kandahar Province, 3123'N, 6623'E. A copper-bearing shattered zone, 40 m in length and 5 m in width, is found in Lower Cretaceous limestone. Its copper content is 3.26% (86). 19/700-I Kandahar Province, 3108'N, 6613'E. A copper-bearing skarn zone has been distinguished in an inlier of Upper Cretaceous limestone surrounded by Oligocene granite. The zone, 100 m long, up to 30 m wide, and 2 to 3 m thick, contains 0.1 to 0.3% copper (69). 20/700-I Kandahar Province, 3107'N, 6610'E. A 3 m wide zone of skarned marble of Late Cretaceous age is developed at the contact of Oligocene granite. The copper content is 0.13% (86). 28/700-I Kandahar Province, 3017'N, 6610'E. Disseminated chalcopyrite and malachite films occur is Oligocene granite. The content of copper varies between 0.16 and 0.19% (86). 30/700-I Kandahar Province, 3003'N, 6608'E. Shattered, limonitized, and marmorized limestone, 10 m thick, with disseminated chalcopyrite in Upper Cretaceous volcanics assay 0.09% to 0.16% copper (86). Mechanical Mineralogical Haloes 28/200-II/200-IV In the drainage basin of the left-hand tributaries of the Darya-i-Panj River (halo is 75 sq km in area) there are outcrops of Lower Carboniferous volcanics, Middle-Upper Carboniferous and Lower Permian deposits cut by a series of fault zones composed of shattered rocks. Of 16 samples, copper minerals have been determined in eight (single grains in each) and four (10 to 100 grains in a sample). There have also been found single grains of scheelite, gold, and galena (72). 23/200-III Drainage basin of the left-hand tributary of the Darya-i-Pule Khumri River. The halo, 50 sq km in area, encompasses Ordovician limestone and sandstone. Single malachite grains have been identified in each of seven samples (129). 24/200-III see the section on lead and zinc. 121/200-IV Upper reaches of the Daraz River. The halo, 80 sq km in area, tends to embrace Early Triassic granite and Proterozoic metamorphics cut by faults. Of 11 samples, seven contain chalcopyrite associated with scheelite and galena, more rarely with gold and uranothorite (72). 15/400-I Interfluve of the Darrah-i-Khush Rabat River and the Ab-i-Chobi-River. Lower Triassic, Eocene, and Miocene terrigenous rock units are exposed within the halo, which is 20 sq km in area. Ten or more grains of chalcopyrite and malachite have been identified in each of 15 samples (10). 54/400-III see the section on tin. 67/400-IV see the section on lead and zinc.

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36/500-I Right-hand bank of the Surkhab Valley. The halo, 57 kq. km in area, is restricted to Ordovician shale, Carboniferous-Lower Permian carbonate-terrigenous rocks and Upper Triassic volcanics intruded by Late Triassic granitic rocks. Of 15 samples, each of eight has yielded single grains of chalcopyrite with associated galena, and scheelite (71). 39/500-I Near-estuary part of the Darya-i-Waljan and Khendjan rivers. The halo, 90 sq km is area, is localized in a series of faults cutting through Carboniferous and Lower Permian rock units and Upper Triassic volcanics. There are also Early Carboniferous granodiorite and Late Triassic granitic rocks. Of 24 samples, single chalcopyrite grains have been found in each of eight samples (71). 43/500-I Upper reaches of the Darya Balkhob River. The halo, 56 sq km. in area, tends to be restricted to fault zones in Ordovician, Silurian-Devonian, and Upper Cretaceous sequences. Of 11 samples each of five has yielded single grains of chalcopyrite with associated galena and sphalerite (71). 56/500-I See the section on lead and zinc. 97/500-I Drainage basin of the Gorgorawa River. Early Triassic granitic rocks occur within the limits of the halo, which is 16 sq km in area. Of four samples, 10 or more chalcopyrite grains, with associated scheelite, have been found in each of three samples (71). 10/500-II See the section on tin. 6/700-I The halo, 620 sq km in area, is outlined close to the Buragay Village. There occur exposures of Proterozoic metamorphics and Upper Cretaceous volcanic-terrigenous rocks overlain by Neogene and Quaternary deposits. Single grains to 10 or more grains of malachite and gold, with associated cinnabar, cassiterite, scheelite, and secondary lead minerals, have been found in each panning sample (86). 8/700-I The halo covering 40 sq km is in the Buragay Village area which is underlain by Upper Cretaceous terrigenous-volcanic rocks, Pliocene terrigenous rock units, loose Quaternary deposits, intruded by Eocene ultrabasics. Each sample contains single grains of malachite and chalcopyrite (86). 15/700-I Ulagay Village area. The halo, 830 sq km in area, is restricted to limestone and terrigenous and volcanic rocks of Cretaceous age, invaded by Oligocene granitic rocks. In addition, Quaternary sediments are common there. Each sample has yielded single grains of secondary copper and lead minerals, with minor cassiterite, scheelite, gold, and chromite (86).

Lead and Zinc Deposits 96/400-II Nalbandan, Ghor Province, 3407'N, 6355'E. An ore zone is localized in a fault in Triassic carbonate-clayey-siliceous sequence. Its width varies between 3 and 9 m and length is 850 m. The chief ore minerals are sphalerite and galena, minor ones are pyrite, chalcopyrite, and boulangerite. The zinc content is 5.77% and the lead content is 0.87%. The ore is easily beneficiated. The speculative reserves: are 130 thousand tonnes of zinc and 12 thousand tonnes of lead (23). 9; 12/400-III See the sections on copper (9, Kandahar) and tin (12, "Vostok"). 84/400-IV Darrah-i-Nur, Kandahar Province, 3212'-3216'N, 6541'-6546'E. The area of the deposit is underlain by gently dipping carbonate rock units of Late Triassic and Jurassic ages intruded by granitic rocks and basic dikes of Oligocene age. The deposit is divided into several areas: (Dike-41, Darra-i-Nur, YakataKhum, Daylanor, and others). Dike-41 Area. It is underlain by Middle-Upper Jurassic marble and dolomitic marble invaded by diabase porphyrite dikes. Dike No. 41, the largest of all the dikes, ranges in thickness from 5.5 to 13 m and is 950 m long. The dike-marble contact shows a steeply inclined zone of shattered, limonitized, and silicified rocks containing finely disseminated magnetite and sulfides of lead, zinc, and copper. The mineralized rocks in this zone have been traced for 500 m, their thickness ranging from 3 to 20 m. The ore contains 1 to 5% lead, up

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to 22% zinc, and hundredth fractions of one per cent to 1.2% copper. Speculative reserves of lead-zinccopper ore are 48.6 thousand tonnes, with the combined lead and zinc content of 12%. Darra-i-Nur Area. The metallized rock is localized in fault zones along basic dikes. The ore bodies, composed of limonite, occur as nests, shoots, lenses, and veins, 0.5 to 3 m in thickness, and have been traced for tens of meters. The copper-lead-zinc-bearing rock contains disseminated chalcopyrite, cerussite, smithsonite, and bornite, and malachite films. The following contents have been determined: up to 1.4% lead, up to 21.04% zinc, and 0.36% copper. Yakata-Khum Area. Lead-zinc-bearing rock is brecciated, limonitized, and skarned marble. Two ore zones have been identified, ranging in width from 0.5 to 4 m and in length from several meters to 40 m. The ore contains 0.12 to 3.67% lead, 0.2 to 36.49% zinc, and 0.16 to 1.45% copper. Daylanor Area. The lead-zinc mineralization is confined to diopside-garnet skarn at the contact between limestone and granitic rocks. The skarn bodies vary in thickness between 0.5 and 1.5 m and between 20 and 30 m in strike length. The metallized rock contains disseminated pyrite, galena, and chalcopyrite. The maximum contents are: 0.7% lead, 1% zinc, and 0.1% copper (78). 99/400-IV Qalay Asad, Kandahar Province, 3205'-3207'N, 6531'-6533'E. The deposit is restricted to Upper Triassic rocks consisting of heavily-marmorized and skarned limestone and hornfels occurring as large inliers and remnants in the apical parts of an intrusion of Oligocene granite. Five areas have been distinguished at the deposit (Central, Bibi-Gaukhar, Southern, Western, and Eastern). The mineralization has involved skarn and skarned rocks, and also shattered and heavily fractured zones. The ore minerals are disseminated sphalerite and galena, and copper carbonates. Bibi-Gaukhar Area. The metallization embraces a remnant, 0.5 sq km in area, of skarned carbonate rocks enclosed in granitic rocks. The ore body is lens-shaped and is from 1 to 10 m thick and 50 m long. It is made up of massive ore consisting of sphalerite and galena with insignificant amounts of pyrite, garnet, augite, and wollastonite. The body is intruded by a swarm of steeply dipping basic dikes. The area has been explored to 80-100 m of depth. The Cat. C1+C2 reserves are as follows: 69.4 thousand tonnes of ore, 21.1 thousand tonnes of zinc, 5.5 thousand tonnes of lead, and 139 t of cadmium for the ore containing 30.4% zinc, 7.86% lead, and 0.2% cadmium. Central Area. Two gently inclined ore bodies have been discovered, of which one is 0.5 to 3.5 m thick and 60 m long and the other, 10 to 20 m thick and 200 m long. The ore has completely been oxidized, and consists of limonite, cerussite, and smithsonite. It averages 3.5% lead and 1.05% zinc. Eastern Area. Within its limits, the metallized rock occurs in fault zones cutting marble and marmorized limestone near their contact with granitic rocks and diorite. Three ore zones have been found ranging in thickness from 1 to 3 m and in length from 40 to 60 m. The maximum content of lead is 4.2% and that of zinc 1.6%. Western Area. Is restricted to a fault zone in limestone. This area, varying in width between 0.1 and 3.0 m, is traceable for 350-400 m. Oxidized ores compose four isolated limonite bodies containing 1 to 4.4% lead and 0.5 to 1.5% zinc. The thickness of the bodies ranges from 1 to 1.5 m and length from 20 to 30 m Southern Area. Limestone and swarm are cut by a steeply dipping fault zone 1 to 15 m wide and 300 m in strike length. Its footwall is formed of silicified rocks with extremely irregular dissemination of oxidized sulfides of lead, zinc, and copper. The ore contains at maximum 3.3% lead, 2.16% zinc, and 0.4% copper. The speculative reserves of lead and zinc are 100 thousand tonnes (78). 106/500-I Farenjal, see the section on barite. 24/500-I V Spira, Paktya Province, 3308'N, 6933'E. The area of the deposit is underlain by sandstones, shales, and limestones of Paleozoic age, overlain by Paleocene conglomerates and sandstones. At the contact between these series there is a zone of brecciated and hydrothermally altered rocks, up to 40-60 m wide. The zone of metallized rock, 7 to 15 m wide, has been traced for 380 m to depths between 4 and 77 m. The ore minerals are sphalerite, galena, and pyrite. Disseminated, veinlet-disseminated, and massive ore types have

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been distinguished within the deposit assaying 1.12% lead, 3.28% zinc, 0.01 to 0.06% copper, up to 0.06% antimony, 0.03 to 0.06% arsenic and 0.01 to 0.1% nickel (111). Occurrences 24/300-III See the section on copper. 49/400-I Rabat-i-Sapcha, Herat Province, 3406'30"N, 6219'E. The metallization is confined to a sequence of limestone, calcareous shale, and sandstone of Proterozoic age. Metalliferous beds and lenses totalling 4060 m in thickness are traceable for 700 m, being composed of limonite rocks with disseminated galena and sphalerite, and calcite veinlets with chalcopyrite and malachite. The ore contains 0.03 to 2.15% zinc, 0.03 to 0.2% copper, and up to 0.05% lead (44). 36/400-II Jare Choqur, Ghor Province, 3443'N, 6505'E. Proterozoic schist encloses several en echelon lenticular bodies of a sericite-quartz-limonite rock with disseminated galena. The rock contains 5% lead and 0.3% zinc (44). 44: 53: 55: 56/400-II See the section on copper (44, Kushkak; 53, Tagab-Soni; 55, Tagab-Soni; 56, Bedan). 61/400-II Ustuwa, Ghor Province, 3421'N, 6434'E. Lower Carboniferous deposits surround a zone of heavily limonitized carbonate rocks, 2 m wide, with numerous quartz stringers containing galena. At maximum the lead content is 5% and. zinc content is 1% (43). 65/400-II Cajinaw, see the section on iron. 67/400-II Gawmazar IV, Ghor Province, 3416'36"N, 6438'E. The mineralized rock is restricted to a shattered, silicified, and limonitized zone in Carboniferous Lower Permian deposits. The zone, 3 to 10 m wide and 100 m long, contains up to 10% lead and up to 1% zinc (43). 70/400-II Gawmazar I, and II, Ghor Province, 3415'45"N, 6437'06"E. The metallization occurs in shattered, silicified, carbonatized, and limonitized zones in Upper Triassic sandy-shaly rocks. The zones are 100 m in length, ranging in width from 1.5 m to 5 m. The following metal contents have been found: 6.0 to 10% lead, 0.07 to 0.1% zinc, 0.16% copper, and up to 0.4 g of gold per tonne (43). 71/400-II Gawmazar III, Ghor Province, 3416'N, 6438'E. An Upper Permian sandy-shaly sequence encloses a mineralized zone of shattered and silicified rocks, which varies in width between 1 and 5 m and is 50 m long. The zone contains up to 10% lead and 0.1 to 0.5% zinc (43). 73/400-II Shekhlawast, Ghor Province, 3415'32"N, 6437'00''E. A metallized zone of shattered and silicified rocks has been found in Triassic sandy-shaly rocks. There have been reported the following contents: 0.5% lead, 0.05 to 0.3% zinc, 0.1 to 0.3% arsenic, and 0.01 to 1.0% antimony (43). 75/400-II Talah, Oruzgan Province, 3414'18"N, 6555'50''E. A shattered zone, 20 to 25 m wide, with veinlets and disseminations of galena has been discovered in Lower Cretaceous limestone. The contents are: 0.5 to 2.0% lead, tenth fractions of one percent zinc, and hundredth fractions of one percent copper (85). 78/400-II Hasan-Sansalagay, Ghor Province, 3414'08''N, 6435'E. A shattered and mineralized zone, 2.0 x 15 m in size, has been distinguished in Lower-Middle Jurassic limestone and sandstone. Metal contents are as follows: up to 4.9% lead, up to 1% zinc, 0.9% copper, and 0.02% antimony (44). 81/400-11 Qarghanaw II and III, Ghor Province, 3413'N, 6433'E. Two shattered zones, ranging in width from 5 to 20 m and extending for 50 and 100 m, respectively, have been found in a Lower-Middle Jurassic limestone-shale sequence. In. the zones, the rocks are strongly silicified and are impregnated by galena. They contain 1.6 to 12% lead, 1.0 to 1.6% zinc, and 0.05 to 0.07% copper (44). 84/400-II Karimdad, Oruzgan Province, 3410'28"N, 6559'14"E. A fault zone consists of heavily silicified siltstone and sandstone of Early Cretaceous age, which contain veinlets and disseminations of galena. The zone averages 2.5-3.0 m in width and is 120 m long. The lead content varies between 0.1 and 1.0% (113).

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89/400-II Minara II, Ghor Province, 3409'N, 6359'E. The mineralization is restricted to a fault zone, several tens of meters in width, in Triassic deposits. The zone is strongly limonitized and contains numerous quartz veins. The contents are as follows: 0.1% lead, 0.02 to 0.12% copper, and 0.05 to 0.07% zinc (43). 91/400-II Rangin, Oruzgan Province, 3408'52''N, 6555'20''E. Disseminations and veinlets of galena occur in a shattered, silicified and calcitized zone in Lower Cretaceous sandstone and siltstone. The zone, up to 10 m in width and 300-400 m in length, contains 0.1% lead (113). 92/400-II Pahlang Khona, Ghor Province, 3409'N, 6401'E. Two brecciated zones with quartz stringers containing scarcely disseminated galena, have been recognized in Lower-Middle Jurassic shale. The width of the zones ranges from 0.4 to 1.5 m. They contain 0.3% lead, up to 0.5% zinc, and 0.01 to 0.07%, copper (44). 98/400-II Sarghul, Ghor Province, 3405'N, 6446'E. Lead-zinc metallization has involved fracture zones in sandstone lenses enclosed in Lower-Middle Jurassic limestone. Its length is 1.7 km and thickness is as much as 8.5 m. The chief ore minerals are galena and sphalerite, the minor are chalcopyrite and boulangerite. The zone contains 2.6 to 4.8% zinc and 0.3 to 2.7% lead (44). 4; 7; 8; 10; 16/400-III See the section on copper (4, Mir Ali; 7, Shayda I; 8, Shayda III; 10, Shayda II; 16 Dakhana). 17/400-III Tonura, Farah Province, 3545'N, 6141'E. Two quartz-calcite veins, 0.3 to 1.0 m thick and 100 and 400 m long, respectively, with nests and disseminations of galena and sphalerite have been found in Lower Cretaceous deposits. The contents are: in excess of 1% combined lead and zinc, 0.2 to 0.7% copper, and 0.03% antimony (43). 28; 34; 36; 39; 62/400-III See the sections on copper (28, Gologa; 62 - Siob), tin (34, Bulghaja; 39, Seh Kuta), and iron (36, Korezak). 9/400-IV Doshakh, Ghor Province, 3355'N, 6349'E. Quartz stringers with disseminated galena and sphalerite are found in a shattered zone, ranging in width from 20 to 40 m and extending for 700 m, which is enclosed in Lower Cretaceous sandy-limestone strata. The zone contains 0.01 to 0.05% combined lead and copper and 0.01 to 0.07% zinc (44). 45; 69; 70/400-IV See the sections on copper (45, Gareba) and fluorite (69, Saraw I, II, III; 70, Bakhud). 81/400-IV Exposure 7757, Kandahar Province, 3215'17"N, 6559'02"E. Skarns restricted to the roof of an intrusion of Oligocene granite invading Upper Triassic limestone contain nests and disseminations of galena, chalcopyrite, and pyrrhotite. The width of the metallized zones varies between 1.5 and 2.0 m and the length amounts to 2-4 m. The following contents have been determined: 0.44 to 5.83% lead, 0.05 to 1% zinc, 0.49 to 4.07% copper, 242 to 279 g of silver per tonne, and 0.01 to 0.05% arsenic (78). 101/400-IV Exposure 9390, Kandahar Province, 3205'N, 6555'E. The occurrence is at the contact between Silurian limestone and Oligocene granitic rocks. A skarn zone extends parallel to the contact for 2 km, its width varying between 25 and 30 m. The zone contains 0.5 to 0.7% lead and 0.5 to 0.7% copper (42). 80/500-I Darra-i-Alasang, see the section on copper. 154/500-I Khushk, Ghor Province, 3430'N, 6600'E. Several shattered and limonitized zones have been distinguished in a Lower Carboniferous volcanic-terrigenous series. They occasionally contain malachite and azurite. The contents are: up to 1% lead, 0.7% copper, 0.07% zinc, and 10% barium (71). 8; 142/500-II See the section on copper (8, Shashan; 142, Gado-China). 235/500-II Manay, Logar Province, 3404'55"N, 6919'20"E. Quartz veins up to 0.5 m in thickness and first few tens of meters in length are observable in Lower-Middle Triassic platy limestone. The veins contain come chalcopyrite nests and malachite coatings. The lead content is 3% and the copper content is 0.35% (141). 11/500-III Zardgalak, Bamyan Province, 3357'N, 6724'E. A lens of skarned rocks, 15 x 10 m in size, occurs at the contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and Proterozoic marble. The lens contains 5.5% lead, 0.37% zinc, 0.1% copper, and 0.1 g of gold per tonne (75). 131

16/500-III Gudri-Mazar, Bamyan Province, 3355'N, 6727'E. Small skarn bodies at the contact between a stock of Oligocene granitic rocks and Middle Triassic dolomite contain 0.3 to 1.46% lead, 0.3 to 0.55% zinc, and 0.13 to 0.19% copper (75). 50/500-III Eskan, Oruzgan Province, 3345'N, 6647'E. In a fault zone 25 m wide and 300 m long the Oligocene granite is severely shattered, ochre coloured, and impregnated by quartz stringers. The mineralized rocks contain 0.76 to 1.04% lead, 0.2 to 0.62% zinc, 0.17 to 0.6% copper, and 0.12% tin (75). 77; 96/500-III See the sections on iron (77, Qali Kushi) and gold (96, Tamakay) 100/500-III Sare-Laman, Ghazni Province, 3308'40"N, 6741'E. A zone of silicified and brecciated rocks, ranging in width from 1 to 30 m and extending for 1 km, has been found in Carboniferous-Lower Permian shale. Lead-zinc metallization has been established in two zones, 20 and 15 m wide and 200 and 600 m long, respectively, where it has involved strongly silicified rocks and quartz veins. The metallized material was reported to contain 0.7 to 20% lead, 0.2 to 0.5% zinc, and 0.2% copper (42). 118/500-III Exposure 551, Ghazni Province, 3301'30"N, 6703'E. Diopside-tremolite skarn zone, 1 to 2 m thick and 80-100 m long, occurs at the contact between Oligocene granite and Upper Devonian carbonateterrigenous deposits . The ore minerals are pyrite and magnetite. The content of zinc is 5.27% and that of bismuth is 0.05% (42). 120; 129/500-III See the section on tin (120, Larga; 129, Kareztu) 139/500-III Tangi, Ghazni Province, 3257'08''N, 6740'08''E. Discontinuous lens-shaped bodies, up to 2 m thick and up to 5 m long, which are made up of brown brecciated limestone and goethite-limonite rocks, occur in the contact zone between dikes of Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite porphyry and Upper Triassic limestone. The bodies contain 1.3 to 4.1% zinc, 1.63 to 3.18% lead, 0.19 to 0.29% copper, and 3.4 to 5.0 g of silver per tonne (42). 154; 174; 223; 250; 251; 253; 278/500-III See the sections on gold (154, Anguri; 223, Ludin; 250, Assanak; 251, Tugra; 278, Kadilak), iron (174, Pari Khana), and silver (253, Surkhbed). Showings 135/200-IV Takhar Province, 3627'53''N, 6930' 31"E. Lower Permian shale encloses silicified zones, 0.2 m in width, with disseminated galena. One of the zones contains 5.71% lead and 6.9% zinc (103). 153/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3612'30''N, 7046'30"E. A zone of hematitized rocks, 30 m in width and 100 m in length, occurs at the contact between marble and gneiss of Archean age. It encloses quartz stringers with galena in belts 30 to 40 m long and 0.2 to 0.5 m wide (97). 163/200-IV Baghlan Province, 3604'14''N, 6918'40''E. Disseminated pyrite occurs in a 3 km long zone of hornfelsed and limonitized volcanics of Late Triassic age. The content of lead, zinc, cobalt, and nickel is hundredth fractions of one percent (72). 33/400-II Ghor Province, 3546'N, 6553'E. A zone of limonitized rocks has been found in Proterozoic schist and conglomerate. These rocks contain more than 1% lead, 0.3% zinc, 0.03% copper, and 0.2 g of gold per tonne (44). 51/400-II See the section on copper. 66/400-II Ghor Province, 3417'N, 6434'E. The mineralization occurs in greasy clay beds in the redcoloured sequence of Eocene-Oligocene sandstone and conglomerate. The metallized rock was reported to contain 0.4% lead and 0.05% copper (43). 72/400-II Ghor Province, 3416'N, 6435'30"E. A zone of shattered and mineralized rock, 0.1-0.2 x 15 x 20 m in size, has been found in Lower-Middle Jurassic limestone. The content of zinc is 0.1% and that of lead 0.05% (43).

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74/400-II Ghor Province, 3415'30"N, 6434'E. Sulfide mineralization is confined to a shattered zone, 1.5 x 12 m in size, in Lower-Middle Jurassic deposits. The mineralized rock contains 0.7% lead, 0.07%-zinc, 0.02% copper, and 10% barium (43). 79/400-II Ghor Province, 3414'N, 6454'E. A zone of brecciated rock, ranging in thickness from 5 to 10 m and extending for 100 m, has been distinguished in Upper Devonian-Lower Carboniferous limestone. Galena has been noted in cracks within the zone. The following maximum contents have been reported: 0.05% lead, 0.02% zinc, and 1% copper (44). 32; 60/400-III See the sections on tin (32) and copper (60). 67/400-III Farah Province, 3223'N, 6119'E. A fault zone in a Lower Cretaceous rock unit is marked by silicified rock and malachite coatings. The content of lead is 6.9% and that of zinc 6.1% (44). 50/400-IV Helmand Province, 3304'N, 6500'E. A shattered zone in Upper Jurassic Lower-Cretaceous volcanic-terrigenous deposits encloses four areas of silicified rock, 200 m in length and 30 to 40 m in width. The rock contains sporadically distributed oxidized ore consisting of limonite, malachite, and azurite, with the content of zinc equalling 0.5% and that of copper varying between 0.01 and 0.05% (44). 7/500-II Baghlan Province, 3558'16"N, 6906'32''E. Late Triassic granitic rocks enclose a quartz vein, 0.5 m thick, and silicified and ochreous areas with disseminated chalcopyrite and galena and malachite coatings. Metal contents are as follows: up to 1% zinc, 0.1% copper, and 0.3% lead (103). 23/500-II Baghlan Province, 3539'42"N, 6916'36"E. A zone of shattered, silicified, and ochreous rock is developed in Upper Triassic dacite-liparite extrusive rocks. The mineralized rocks in the zone, 4 m wide and 30 m long, contain 0.7% zinc (71). 46/500-II Kapisa Province, 3529'12''N, 6948'E. A shattered, silicified, and limonitized zone has been found in Proterozoic marble and schist. Its width is 380 m and length several hundred meters. The zone contains strongly pyritized intervals, 2.5 to 3 m in thickness and 110 to 115 m in length. The zinc content is 0.1% (71). 43/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3346'N, 6606'E. Skarn lenses, 1 x 4 m in size, occur in marmorized limestone of Proterozoic age. The lenses are densely and finely impregnated with sulfides. The lead content is 0.1% (146). 80/500-III See the section on tin. 87/500-III Ghazni Province, 3314'N, 6748'E. A metallized zone, 1.0 to 15 m in width and more than 100 m in length, has been distinguished at the contact between Oligocene granite and Carboniferous-Lower Permian siltstone. The zone contains up to 0.14% lead, 0.01 to 0.25% zinc, and up to 0.1% copper (17). 90/500-III Ghazni Province, 3312'55"N, 6728'00"E. A zone of silicified and epidotized rocks, up to 600 m wide and 1 km long, has been traced in Oligocene granite. The altered rocks assay 0.2% lead, up to 0.2% zinc, and up to 0.14% copper (42). 94; 98/500-III See the section on copper. 106/500-III Ghazni Province, 3306'20"N, 6723'40"E. A quartz vein, 0.8 m in thickness and 10 m in length, which contains sulfides, lies in Oligocene granite. The following contents have been determined: 0.25% zinc, 0.11% lead, and 0.03% copper (42). 107/500-III Ghazni Province, 3306'20"N, 6716'10''E. Oligocene granite encloses a lens, 0.5 to 2.6 m thick and 10 m long, consisting of silicified epidotized rock with sulfides of lead and zinc. The rock contains 0.2 to 3.2% lead, 0.1 to 2.2% zinc. 0.05 to 5.0% copper, and up to 3.4 g of gold per tonne (42). 123/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3300'30''N, 6651'20''E. Irregularly disseminated galena, pyrite, and chalcopyrite occur in epidote-garnet skarn, 8 x 0.3 m in size, at the contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and Upper Permian limestone. The skarn contains 0.92% zinc, 0.38% lead, and 0.5% copper (42). 20/500-IV Paktya Province, 3310'48''N, 6937'23"E. Mineralized rock is localized in beds of metasomatically altered sandstone and conglomerate of Paleocene age. The rock contains 0.1% zinc and 0.06% lead (111). 133

Mechanical Mineralogical Haloes 19/200-II, 200-IV See the section on gold. 19; 20/200-III See the section on mercury. 22/200-III Darrahe Suf River drainage basin. The 25 sq km area of halo is underlain by Upper CretaceousPaleocene limestone and Miocene conglomerate. Of 22 samples, each of 17 contains single grains of lead minerals, and each of six, single grains of cinnabar (130). 24/200-III, 500-I Qar-Qar and Dodkash rivers drainage basins. The halo, 50 sq km in area, embraces terrigenous-carbonate sediments of Jurassic and Cretaceous ages. The lead minerals have been found in eight samples (0.3 to 12.6 g/cum.m) with associated cuprite, malachite, and chalcopyrite (130). 109/200-IV See the section on tin. 118/200-IV Interfluve of the Rode Chal and Farah rivers. Within the halo, 240 sq km in area, CarboniferousLower Permian, Upper Triassic, and Jurassic deposits are exposed, being cut by a series of faults. Of 27 samples, 21 have yielded from single grains of galena in a sample to 6 g of galena per cubic meter. There have been also found single grains of scheelite, gold, cinnabar, and sphalerite (72). 136/200-IV Left-hand bank of the Darya-i-Kokcha River. The halo, more than 40 sq km in area, includes carbonates and shales of Silurian-Devonian and Early Carboniferous ages intruded by Early Triassic granitic rocks. Cerussite, ranging in amount from 10 grains in a sample to 2.5 g/cu m, and scheelite (single grains in a sample to 0.3 g/cu m) have been identified in six samples (41). 142/200-IV Right-hand bank of the Darya-i-Kokcha River. An Archean marble-gneiss sequence underlies the area of the halo, 185 sq km in size. Of 44 samples, 42 yielded galena and cerussite (single grains in a sample to 70 g/cu m); 41, scheelite (single grains in a sample to 2 g/cu m); and 14, gold (one to four colours in a sample) (41). 146/200-IV In the Jurmdara River drainage basin the halo, 340 sq km in size, involves exposures of Archean marble and gneiss, Upper Permian-Upper Triassic deposits, and Oligocene granitic rocks. All the 37 samples contain galena and cerussite (single grains in a sample to 3.5 g/cu m) and 35 samples have yielded scheelite (single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m) (41). 154/200-IV, 500-IV Chandara River drainage basin (halo is 190 sq km in area). There occur Proterozoic metamorphics and sandstone, shale, and volcanics of Paleozoic age. All the 23 samples contain galena (single grains in a sample to 3.5 g/cu m) and some of them gold and bismuthinite (41). 161/200-IV Upper reaches of the Darya Narin River. The 40 sq km area of halo includes exposures of Ordovician, Lower Carboniferous, and Middle-Upper Triassic carbonate-terrigenous rock units and Upper Triassic volcanics with zones of limonitized rocks. Of 15 samples, 10 contain single grains of galena in each; one, 0.1 g of galena per cubic meter; and few, bismuthinite (72). 1: 6; 9/300-III see the sections on tungsten (1; 6) and tin (9). 10/300-III Tager-Mensu River drainage basin (halo is 100 sq km in area). Carboniferous Lower Permian deposits are spread here, being intruded by Lower Cretaceous granitic rocks. Of 18 samples, single grains of galena, with associated scheelite and cassiterite, have been found in each of 16 samples (73). 18/300-II See the section on tungsten. 20/300-III The halo covering 300 sq km is outlined in the Darya-i-Bay-Qara River drainage basin where faulted carbonate-terrigenous rock units of Carboniferous, Permian, and Cretaceous ages are exposed. Galena has been found in 12 samples (0.2 to 60 g/cu m); each of 18 samples has also yielded 10 or more grains of galena; and 32 samples have produced cassiterite, scheelite, cinnabar, and bismuthinite (single grains in each) (73). 27; 28; 29/300-III See the sections of tungsten (27; 28) and tin (29).

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4/400-I Rode-i-Chehel-Gazi River drainage basin. Eocene and Miocene rock units occur within the halo, 30 sq km in area. Galena and cerussite with associated barite and celestine have been identified in 13 samples, and one sample has yielded native copper, cuprite, chalcopyrite, and malachite (10). 6/400-I The halo covering 250 sq km is outlined in the areas of the Gawdar and Shir Band villages where Eocene, Miocene, and Quaternary sediments are exposed. Galena and cerussite have been found in 60 samples (single grains to 10 grains or more in each), with the associated sphalerite, barite, and celestine (10). 7/400-I Upper reaches of the Darya-i-Muqur River. The halo, 35 sq km in area, embraces Eocene-Oligocene volcanics and Miocene terrigenous rocks overlain by Middle Quaternary sediments. Single grains of galena, cerussite, and vanadinite have been identified in eight samples. (10). 10/400-I The halo, 18 sq km in area, is in the vicinity of the Sangkotal Village. Miocene terrigenous rocks are exposed there. Ten or more grains of galena, with associated barite and celestine, have been found in each of six samples (10). 14/400-I Interfluve of the Darra-i Khush Rabat and Ab-i-Chugur rivers. The halo covering 100 sq km, is outlined in terrigenous and volcanic rock units of Late Permian, Early Triassic, Eocene, and Oligocene ages. Ten or more grains of galena and cerussite, with associated barite, have been identified in each of 25 samples. More rarely single grains of chalcopyrite and malachite have been noted (10). 19/400-I In the upper reaches of the Darra-i-Chartag River a halo, 50 sq km in area is notable for exposures of faulted terrigenous-carbonate rocks of Middle-Late Carboniferous, Late Permian, Early Triassic, Cretaceous, Eocene, and Pliocene ages. Galena has been identified in 24 samples (single grains to 10 or more grains in each) (10). 22/400-I See the section on tin. 30/400-I 20 km west of the Ghuryan Village, there has been outlined a halo covering 145 sq km whose area is underlain by Proterozoic rocks and Early Cretaceous granitic rocks cut by faults and overlain by Neogene and Quaternary sediments. Secondary lead minerals, with the associated cassiterite and scheelite, have been found in 14 samples (10 grains in a sample to 0.8 g/cu m) (42). 36/400-I The halo covers 100 sq km underlain by Proterozoic, Cambrian, Triassic, Lower-Middle Jurassic, Upper Cretaceous, and Neogene rocks. Secondary lead minerals have been identified in 16 samples (single grains in each) and six samples (10 or more grains in each). Two samples have yielded orthite (0.02 to 0.06 g/cu m) (42). 38/400-I The halo is outlined 15 km south of the Zindajan Village and covers 600 sq km area notable for exposures of Proterozoic, Cambrian, Devonian, Lower Carboniferous, Jurassic, Eocene-Oligocene, and Pliocene rocks, and acid sub-volcanic bodies of Eocene-Oligocene age. Galena and secondary lead minerals, with the associated cinnabar and scheelite, have been found in 36 samples, of which 28 contain 10 or more grains in each; six, between 1 and 10 g/cu m; two, between 10 and 20 g/cu m; and one, more than 100 g/cu m) (42). 42/400-I See the section on tungsten. 44/400-I, 400-II The halo (680 sq km) is 35 km south-east of Herat. Proterozoic, Middle and Upper Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Pliocene rock units underlie this area. Of 40 samples, 17 yielded galena and cerussite (single grains to 10 or more grains in each) with the associated wolfenite, vanadinite, and cinnabar (42). 5/400-II The area of the Makhzan-i-Ab-i-Sar-i-Hawdz water reservoir. Carbonate and terrigenous rocks of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene, Eocene, and Miocene ages are exposed within the halo, which is 60 sq km in area. Sphalerite has been identified in 10 samples (single grains to 10 or more grains in each); and few samples have yielded cerussite (44). 7/400-II Drainage basin of the left-hand tributary of the Darya-i-Chapchal River. The halo, 400 sq km in area, is restricted to carbonate, terrigenous-carbonate, and volcanic rock units of Late Permian, Middle-Late Triassic, Early Cretaceous, and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene ages. Of 22 samples, each of 14 has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of galena and sphalerite (44).

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11; 14; 15; 20; 21; 22; 24; 29/400-II See the sections on tin (11), gold (14; 15; 29) and mercury (20; 21; 22; 24). 26/400-II, 500-I See the section on tungsten. 32/400-II Upper reaches of the Darrahe Alandor River. Proterozoic schist and Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene terrigenous-carbonate formations are exposed within the halo, which is 130 sq km in area. Lead minerals have been identified in the samples taken (up to 10 g/cu m) (44). 34/400-II Upper reaches of the Kharmurda River. Proterozoic schist, Upper Triassic granitic rocks, and Eocene terrigenous deposits are exposed within the halo, which is 500 sq km in area. Of 43 samples, 23 have yielded lead minerals (single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m), and 27, scheelite (single grains to 10 or more grains each). Cassiterite, cinnabar, and gold are more seldom to occur. (44). 37/400-II See the section on gold. 43/400-II, 400-IV Left-hand bank of the Hari Rod River. The halo, 400 sq km in area, embraces the Proterozoic, Cambrian, Middle and Upper Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic rocks invaded by intrusions of different ages. Of 390 samples, 137 contain galena (10 or more grains to 0.02 g/cu m). Cerussite is present in all the samples. Ten or more grains of cinnabar have been found in each of 113 samples and between 0.1 and 10 g of cinnabar per cubic meter, in three samples. Colours of gold have been identified in each of 24 samples (44). 46/400-II; 500-I See the section on gold. 68/400-II Share Kuk River drainage basin. Proterozoic schist, carbonate-terrigenous deposits of Late Permian, Late Triassic, and Early-Middle Jurassic ages, and Eocene-Oligocene volcanic-terrigenous strata are exposed on the 100 sq km area of the halo. Lead minerals are present in 21 samples (single grains in sample to 2 g/cu m); cinnabar is more seldom (single grains in a sample) (43). 76/400-II See the section on mercury. 80/400-IV; 400-II Rode Tagab-Eshlan River drainage basin. Terrigenous and carbonate deposits of the Carboniferous-Permian, Triassic, Early-Middle Jurassic, and Early Cretaceous ages are common within the halo, 450 sq km in area, as are Eocene-Oligocene volcanics and Oligocene granite porphyry. Lead minerals have been identified in 44 samples <10 or more grains in a sample to 2-5 g/cu m); cinnabar is present in single grains (43). 87/400-II; 400-IV Drainage basin of the left-hand tributaries of the Darrah-i-Ulya River. The halo, 400 sq km in area, is localized in the Devonian, Carboniferous, Permian, and Triassic strata. Between 1 and 60 g of lead minerals per cubic meter have been found in 23 samples, and between single grains and 10 or more grains, in each of 17 samples. Single grains of cinnabar and gold have also been noted (43). 94/400-II See the section on mercury. 64/400-III Upper reaches of the left-hand tributaries of the Farah Rod River. Lower Cretaceous deposits, invaded by bodies of Oligocene granosyenite, are exposed within the halo, which is 700 sq km in area. Of 58 samples, 41 contain lead minerals (single grains have been found in each of 39 samples, 3.2 g/cu m in one sample, and 9.5 g/cu m in the other). Several samples contain single grains of scheelite, cinnabar, cassiterite, copper minerals, and bismuthinite (44). 71/400-III See the section on tungsten. 1; 12; 17; 22/400-IV See the section on mercury. 29/400-IV Drainage basin of the right-hand tributaries of the Farah Rod River. The halo, 450 sq km in area, tends to be restricted to Upper Jurassic to Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous deposits intruded by granodiorite porphyry dikes of Miocene age. Of 70 samples, each of 52 contains 10 or more grains of lead minerals, three have yielded up to 10 g of these minerals per cubic meter, and each of 13 contains 10 or more grains of cinnabar and gold (43). 44; 46/400-IV See the sections on tungsten (44) and mercury (46). 136

67/400-IV Left-hand bank of the Hari Rod. The 72-sq km area of the halo is underlain by Upper Triassic, Jurassic, and Lower Cretaceous deposits enclosing fluorite and quartz-carbonate veins. Galena and cerussite are present in all the 100 samples taken, in the following quantities: up to 200 g/cu m in three, up to 50 g/cu m in 14, up to 10 g/cu m in 19, and single grains to 10 or more grains in each of 64. Also,10 or more grains of copper minerals have been found in each of 16 samples (44). 71/400-IV Keni Sui Village area. The halo, 45 sq km in area, tends to be restricted to Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous volcanic-terrigenous deposits. Of 14 samples, each of 13 samples has yielded single grains of galena and one contains 1.3 g of galena per cubic meter (44). 72/400-IV Khwajamorad River drainage basin (halo is 75 sq km in area). Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous deposits are common there. Of 12 samples, 11 contain galena (single grains to 2.8 g/cu m in a sample) (44). 95/400-IV Mohammad Ali Village area, Silurian, Lover Cretaceous, and Pliocene deposits and Oligocene granitic rocks are exposed within the halo, which is 40 sq km in area. All 40 samples have yielded galena and cerussite, with the associated bismuthinite, in the following amounts: Up to 200 g/cu m in one sample, up to 50 g/cu m in one sample, up to 10 g/cu m in 11 samples, and single grains to 10 or more grains in each of 27 samples. (42). 98/400-IV Lymbel Village area. The 32-sq km of the halo is underlain by Oligocene granitic rocks, Upper Triassic marmorized limestone, and Middle Quaternary sediments. Galena and cerussite have been identified in the following amounts: up to 200 g/cu m in one sample, up to 50 g/cu m in two samples, up to 10 g/cu m in four samples, and single grains to 10 or more grains in each of 46 samples, the total number of samples being 54 (42). 102/400-IV See the section on tin. 5/500-I Darya Balkhob River drainage basin. The halo, 800 sq km in area is restricted to exposures of Ordovician sandstone and shale, Triassic coal-bearing rocks, volcanics, and shale, Silurian-Devonian and Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene carbonates, Lower Triassic andesite porphyrite and granite porphyry, and Early Carboniferous ultrabasic rocks. Of 86 samples, each of 34 has yielded single grains of galena, and each of 20, single grains of sphalerite; there have also been found some scheelite, cinnabar, and gold (44, 71). 8/500-I Alm and Khulm rivers drainage basins. Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene and Miocene rock units are exposed within the halo, which is 70 sq km in area. Of 20 samples, 11 contain lead minerals (single grains to 10 or more grains in each) (129). 9/500-I Tundara Valley. The halo, 90 sq km in area, is localized in Lower Carboniferous schist and Middle Carboniferous and Upper Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate rock Of 33 samples, 13 have yielded lead minerals (single grains in a sample to 1.5 g/cu m) (103). 11/500-II Upper reaches of the right-hand tributary of the Darrahe Suf River (halo is 80.0 sq km in area). Middle-Upper Triassic, Jurassic, Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene, and Pliocene deposits are exposed there. Lead minerals are present in all the samples, ranging in content from 10 or more grains in a sample to weighable amounts (103). 12/500-I Lower reaches of the Darrah-i-Daraw Su River. Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Upper CretaceousPaleocene deposits are exposed within the halo, which is 80 sq km in area. Lead minerals with the associated sphalerite are present in all the panning samples, ranging in the amount from single grains in a sample to 0.7 g/cu m (103). 21/500-I Upper reaches of the Darrahe-i-Dardon Dara River. The 75 sq km halo is restricted to the area underlain by Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene carbonate rocks. Of 13 samples, 11 have yielded sphalerite with associated galena (single grains to 10 or more grains each) (71). 35/500-I Darrahe Alma River drainage basin. Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous rock units are exposed on the territory of the halo, 50 sq km in area. Galenite has been found in 11 samples in the amounts reaching 0.5 g/cu m (103).

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41/500-I Drainage basins of the Awkhorak and Garmak Rivers. The halo, 150 sq km in area, is confined to Lower Carboniferous, Middle-Upper Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Pliocene deposits. The content of galena and cerussite in the samples amounts to 4.5 g/cu m (103). 55/500-I Drainage basins, of the Bande Amir and Darya-i-Daudal Rivers. The halo, 206 sq km in area, is associated with fault zones in Ordovician, Silurian-Devonian, Lower Carboniferous, Permian, and Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene deposits. Of 13 samples, each of nine has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of sphalerite (71). 56/500-I Drainage basins of the Eshpushta and Gharana Rivers. 210 sq km halo is underlain by Ordovician, Silurian-Devonian, Lower Carboniferous, Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous deposits and Late Triassic granitic rocks. Most samples contain lead minerals reaching in amount 0.4 g/cu m and each of 11 samples has yielded single grains of copper minerals (129). 57/500-I See the section on mercury. 95/500-I Upper reaches of the Dara-i-Pajmak River. The halo, 54 sq km in area, tends to be localized in Early Triassic granitic rocks. Each of four samples contains single grains of sphalerite (71). 100/500-I, 500-II Drainage basins of the Gorband Rod and Turkman Rivers. Limestones, shales, and sandstones of Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Triassic, Early Cretaceous, and Pliocene ages, and Early Carboniferous ultrabasic rocks are exposed within the 2,000 sq km area of the halo. All the 299 samples taken contain galena (single grains in a sample to 90 g/cu m), with the associated cinnabar, scheelite, and gold (44). 105/500-I See the section on mercury. 115/500-I Upper reaches of the Bande Amir and Hari Rod rivers. The halo, 450 sq km in area, is restricted to fault zones in Middle-Upper Triassic, Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene, and Pliocene terrigenous deposits. Of 45 samples, 34 have yielded galena (single grains to 10 or more grains each) with the associated cinnabar, scheelite, and gold. Native copper has been identified in one sample (10 g/cu m) (44). 147/500-I Western part of the Kohe Baba Range. Ordovician, Upper Devonian, Lower Carboniferous, Jurassic, Cretaceous, Paleocene, and Neogene deposits are exposed within the 990 sq km halo. Of 127 samples, 112 contain galena (single grains in a sample to 37 g/cu m). Single grains of the following minerals have been found in panning samples: cinnabar (25 samples), scheelite (17 samples), and gold (one sample) (44). 152; 155; 186; 187/500-I See the sections on tin (152; 187), gold (155), and tungsten (186). 192/500-I Darrah-i-Jelga River drainage basin (halo is 670 sq km in area). Ordovician, Silurian, Devonian, and Carboniferous-Permian deposits underlie this area. Of 115 samples, 85 have yielded galena (single grains in a sample to 56 g/cu m) (44). 194; 206/500-I See the sections on mercury (194) and tungsten (206). 9/500-II Upper reaches of the Khushkdara, Darya-i-Wakhanay, and Darrahe-i-Say Chordi rivers. The halo, 170 sq km in area, is localized in a fault zone in Cretaceous sandstone and limestone, Middle-Upper Triassic shale, and Late Triassic granitic rocks. Of 22 samples, each of seven contains single grains of galena, and five, 0.4 to 10 g of galena per cubic meter. Single grains of scheelite have also been found (72). 12/500-II Darya-i-Panjsher River drainage basin. The 972 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Proterozoic metamorphics enclosing numerous hematite lenses which tend to be localized in the Hendukush Fault Zone. There also occur Ordovician, Silurian-Devonian, and Middle and Upper Carboniferous carbonate-terrigenous deposits, granitic rocks of Proterozoic and Oligocene ages, Proterozoic plagiogranite, Lower Carboniferous ultrabasic rocks, and Lower Cretaceous gabbro-norite. Of 41 samples taken, 40 contain galena, including single grains (9), 10 or more grains in a sample (15), and 0.3 to 70 g/cu m (16) (71). 29/500-II Left side of the Darra-i-Andarab Valley and the mouth of the Darrah-Arzo River. The halo, 76 sq km in area, is localized in Lower Triassic granitic rocks and Middle-Upper Triassic deposits. Of the total number of 20 samples taken, each of six samples has yielded single grains of galena and seven, 10 or more grains in a sample to 0.7 g of galena per cubic meter, with the associated scheelite, gold, and bismuthinite (71). 138

59/500-II Upper reaches of the Darya-i-Salang River. The halo, 72 sq km in area, tends to be restricted to a series of faults in Proterozoic metamorphics and Ordovician, Silurian-Devonian, Middle-Upper Carboniferous, and Lower Permian limestones and shales. Of 14 samples, five contain galena in weighable amounts, eight in the amounts of 10 or more grains in a sample, and one, single grains (502). 84/500-II Lower reaches of the Gorband Rod and Darya-i-Salang rivers. The halo, 150 sq km in area, is localized in the zone of the Hendukush Fault and feathering faults in Proterozoic metamorphics, Ordovician sandstone and shale, Silurian Devonian limestone, Lower Triassic granitic rocks, and Proterozoic gabbrodiorite. Of 37 samples 35 contain galena, including 18 samples, which contain between 0.3 and 7.0 g of galena per cubic meter; 14 samples, 10 or more grains in a sample; and three, single grains in each. Scheelite, cassiterite, and basobismuthite are present in some samples (71). 136/500-III See the section on tin. 111/500-III Right-hand bank of the Nadaw River. Middle Paleogene and Neogene deposits are exposed within the halo, 80 sq km in area. Single grains of lead minerals have been found in each of eight samples; single colours of gold in each of six samples; and single grains of cinnabar in each of four samples (130). 128/500-III Drainage basin of the left-hand tributaries of the Nadaw River. The halo, 90 sq km in area, tends to be restricted to Quaternary alluvial fans; in the upper reaches, streams are also eroding Eocene sediments. Single grains of the following minerals have been found in each of the samples taken: secondary lead minerals (five samples), cinnabar (four samples) and scheelite (two samples) (130). 187/500-III Lower reaches of the Doy-i-Gomal and Zawar Lgad rivers. The halo, 180 sq km in area, is localized in Eocene and Oligocene deposits. Each of the samples taken has yielded single grains of the following minerals; secondary lead minerals (18 samples), cinnabar (eight samples), bismuthinite (four samples), and scheelite (four samples) (130). 206/500-III Lower reaches of the Ghazni Rod River. Quaternary sediments are exposed within the halo, which is 80 sq km in area. Single grains of secondary lead minerals, with associated cinnabar and scheelite, have been identified in each of five samples; and one sample contains some cassiterite and gold (130). 248/500-III Surkhbed Village area. The halo, 39 sq km in area, is restricted to Upper Permian, TriassicJurassic, and Lower Cretaceous deposits. Of 28 samples taken, three contain up to 200 g of galena per cubic meter, and each of 25, single grains to 10 or more grains of galena (42). 255/500-III Right-hand bank of the Argandab Rod River. Oligocene granite, Lower Cretaceous gabbrodiorite, and Upper Permian and Middle-Upper Jurassic rocks occur within the halo, 40 sq km in area. All the 72 samples taken have yielded galena in the following amounts: 5 g/cu m two samples, up to 10 g/cu m 20 samples, and single grains to 10 or more grains each of 50 samples (42). 14/600-IV Baluch-Shela and Rozani valleys. The halo, 65 sq km in area, tends to be localized in Upper Cretaceous volcanics invaded by intrusions of Oligocene granitic rocks. Galena and secondary lead minerals have been found in 18 samples, ranging in amount from single grains in a sample to weighable quantities, with the associated cinnabar, cassiterite, scheelite, and malachite (130). 19/600-IV Upper reaches of the Rabat Mandeh River. The halo, 30 sq km in area, is restricted to Upper Cretaceous volcanics. Single grains of lead minerals have been identified in each of five samples (130). 15/700-I See the section on copper.

Aluminum Deposits 286/500-III Obatu Shela, Zabul Province, 3158'-3203'N, 6612'-6622'E. A bauxite bed lies at the base of Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate sequence overlying the eroded surface of white oolitic limestone of Middle-Late Jurassic age. The bauxite is localized in a graben-syncline, 19 sq km in area, where it occurs as lenses and lenticular layers as thick as 5-6 m and as long as 250 m. The section of the 139

deposit on the east flank of the graben-syncline (area of 2.28 sq km) is best explored. Here, the bauxite is green or gray coloured and oxidizes red, brown, and ash-gray, being in that case chamosite-diaspore in composition and oolitic in texture. Speculative reserves of the section are estimated to be 2.5-3 mln t at 50.0% alumina, 11.5% silica, the A1203/SiO2 ratio of 4.3, and the workable thickness of 2.6 m. The speculative reserves of the entire deposit are 30-35 mln t with the same parameters, the grade being B-4(42). Occurrences 97/400-II Kohe Safed, Ghor Province, 3405'N, 6320'E. Two bauxite lenses, 1.5 and 2.5 m in thickness and 15 and 20 m in length, respectively, have been found in Upper Permian limestone. The contents are as follows: 40.1 to 48.68% alumina, 6.28 to 23.32% silica, and 17.19 to 23.03% iron oxide (43). 61/500-I Estoma, Baghlan Province, 3526'08''N, 6811'16"E. The occurrence is restricted to the weathering crust on Upper Triassic extrusive rocks at the bottom of overlying coal-bearing sequences of Jurassic age. Four bed-shaped bauxite bodies, 2 to 4 m thick and as long as 70 m, have been outlined in the area. The bauxites are gray and light pink, fine oolitic (19). 63/500-I Nalag (Tala), Baghlan Province, 3525'16''N, 68'09'20''E. The occurrence is localized in the weathering crust on Upper Triassic extrusive rocks at the bottom of Jurassic coal-bearing sequence. Ten bedshaped bauxite bodies, as thick as 4 m and as long as 200 m, have been identified in the area. The bauxites are gray and pink, fine oolitic. They contain 52.34% alumina, 19.05% silica, and 16.56% ferric oxide. Speculative reserves are estimated to be 4.5 mln t (19). 81/500-I Eshpushta, Baghlan Province, 3518'44"N, 6806'22''E. A bed-shaped bauxite body, varying in thickness between 1 and 3 m and extending for 300-400 m, has been distinguished in the weathering crust on Upper Triassic extrusive rocks. The bauxites are light gray and pinkish, and contain little iron (19). 42/500-III Chorqala, Ghazni Province, 3346'N, 6812'E. Five bauxite lenses, ranging in thickness from 8 to 25 m and in length from 10 to 30 m, have been discovered at the bottom of Lower Permian limestone in the section of Carboniferous-Lower Permian sequence. The bauxites are red and dirty green and are pisolitic in texture. The samples taken contain 40.37% and 49.95% alumina and 2.74% and 5.88% silica, respectively (44). 190/500-III Tangi, Ghazni Province, 3245'N, 6725'E. Five bauxite lenses, 1 to 70 m long and up to 2 m thick, have been recognized in the basal bed of Permian dolomitic limestone lying on the eroded surface of Proterozoic dolomite. The bauxite is massive, ferruginous, greenish-gray, with small amount of pisolites. The alumina content varies between 11.57 and 46.72%, and the silica content, between 11.28 and 66.79% (19).

3. Rare Metals
Molybdenum Deposits 500-III Kundalan, see the section on copper. 26/500-I Tundara, Baghlan Province, 3541'25"N, 6822'20"E. Fluorite-muscovite-quartz greisen with inclusions of fine cassiterite grains and molybdenite scales has been distinguished in a stock of Late Triassic apogranite, 0.7 sq km in area. The greisen contains up to 0.3% molybdenum, 0.03% (seldom up to 2%) niobium, 0.006% tantalum, up to 0.06% (seldom up to 1%) tungsten, and up to 0.01% tin (103). 188/500-I Abdar, Logar Province, 3416'36"N, 6846'48"E. The deposit is restricted to a pegmatite dike, ranging in thickness from 0.5 m to 3.0 m and extending for 200 m, which occurs in Oligocene two-mica granite. Disseminated molybdenite, with the associated sodalite, is observed in the middle part of the dike. The molybdenum content varies between 0.2 and 1-2% (141).

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Showings 157/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3610'30''N, 7049'E. A metallized zone, ranging in width from 2.3 m to 6.1 m and extending for 60 m, has been found at the contact between Archean marble and small bodies of Oligocene alaskite. The molybdenum content is from 1 to 2% (97).

Tungsten Occurrences 42/400-III See the section on tin. 73/400-III Farah II, Farah Province, 3214'30''N, 6218'E. The occurrence is represented by a zone of brecciated skarn and chert, 0.2 sq km in area, which occurs at the exocontact of an intrusion of Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite invading Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate deposits. Disseminated fine (0.1 to 0.3 cm in diameter) and large (up to 5 x 5 cm in size) scheelite particles are present in quartz-calcite stringers and nests. It occasionally occurs with associated hematite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. The content of tungsten is in the range from 0.1 to 0.68%, and that of copper, from 0.1 to 1.46% (158). 74/400-III Farah I, Farah Province, 3211'50''N, 6216'30"E. Two zones, 100 m wide and 200-400 m long, have been distinguished in garnet and pyroxene skarns developed after Lower Cretaceous deposits at their contacts with bodies of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene granosyenite. In the zones, the ore minerals are scheelite, hematite, and chalcopyrite. The tungsten content varies between 0.12 and 1.86% (158). 214/500-I Gulbina, Bamyan Province, 3403'N, 6736'E. A skarn zone, 80 m in width and more than 200 m in length, has been recognized at the contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and Proterozoic carbonates. In the zone, the skarn bodies range in size from 2 x 5 m to 3 x 10 m, the skarns are of the garnet, garnet-epidote, and vesuvian types with scheelite, chalcopyrite, and malachite. The metallized material contains 0.01 to 0.7% tungsten, 0.03 to 1% copper, and 0.03% tin (75). 18/500-III Charkh, Oruzgan Province, 3354'N, 6638'15''E. A zone of shattered and ochreous rock, 1 to 2 m in width and more than 100 m in length, is outlined in Oligocene granite and Proterozoic schist. The contents are: 0.1% tungsten trioxide, up to 0.3% copper, up to 0.1% tin, and up to 0.5% arsenic (146). 28/500-III Sahlej, Oruzgan Province, 3351'30"N, 6620'30"E. Proterozoic rock inliers have been found in a stock, 400 x 1,500 m in size, of altered granodiorite of Oligocene age. Silicified zones have been distinguished there, with the tungsten content varying between 0.03 and 0.17% (146). 47/500-III Dariw Sheng, Oruzgan Province, 3343'00" - 3348'30"N, 6641'00" - 6650'00"E. Zones of shattered and silicified rock, up to 30 m in width and hundreds of meters in length, carrying quartz veins which range in thickness from 0.1 to 1 m, being up to 300 m long occur in Oligocene granite. They contain disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, gray ore, cassiterite, and scheelite, and malachite coatings. The metallized rock contains 0.05 to 0.2% tungsten trioxide, 0.1 to 2% copper, and up to 0.5% bismuth (146). 52/500-III Nili, Oruzgan Province, 3343'20" - 3346'N, 6607'00" - 6612'30"E. Oligocene granite encloses several scheelite-bearing zones of greisens, 18 sq km in area, consisting of silicified and muscovitized rocks with scarcely disseminated scheelite, wolframite, and copper sulfides. One of the zones, 0.84 sq km in area, includes an area of sub-parallel quartz stringers, where an interval averaging 3.74 m in thickness contains 0.13% tungsten trioxide. There locally occur quartz veins with large crystals of wolframite and scheelite. The veins, varying in thickness between 0.1 and 0.3 m and extending for tens of meters, contain 0.03 to 0.5% tungsten (146). 59/500-III Chak, Oruzgan Province, 3341'40"N, 6610'40"E. Two skarn lenses (One is 0.1 - 0.2 to 10 m thick and 150 m long, the other 45 x 65 in size) have been found in the contact zone between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and Permian marble which forms a roof remnant. In the samples taken, the tungsten trioxide content ranges from 0.78 to 0.84%, and in one sample it was 3.75% (146). 70/500-III Shahzada I, Ghazni Province, 3327'48"N, 6810'40"E. A zone of differently trending quartz veins and stringers, 0.2 sq km in area, with disseminations, grains and nests of scheelite, is outlined in Oligocene granite and Proterozoic rocks. The tungsten trioxide content varies between 0.06 and 0.46% (157). 141

104/500-III Maragol, Ghazni Province, 3307'05"N, 6724'40"E. A zone of silicified, chloritized and epidotized rocks, ranging in width from 20 to 70 m and extending for more than 1 km, is traced in Oligocene granite. The tungsten content amounts to 0.06% (157). 108/500-III Kakrak, Ghazni Province, 3306'40"N, 6727'50"E. A zone of silicified, chloritized, and epidotized rocks, 20 to 50 m wide and. more than 2 km long, can be observed in Oligocene granite. A onemeter interval of the zone contains 0.5% tungsten trioxide (157). 130/500-III Kochak, Oruzgan Province, 3258'N, 6643'E. Epidote-garnet and wollastonite-garnet-epidote skarns have been distinguished at the contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and Middle-Upper Jurassic limestone. The zone varies in width between 10 and 120 m and extends for 4.5 km. The skarns with disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, and hematite assay 0.08 to 0.12% tungsten, 0.4 to 4.45% copper, 0.12% bismuth, and 0.5% zinc (42). 149/500-III Oruzgan, Oruzgan Province, 3255'20''N, 6639'20''E. Up to 40 m thick garnet skarn with zeyringite, scheelite, chalcopyrite, sphalerite, and bismuthinite has been found at the contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic marble. A 16-m interval averages 0.48% tungsten trioxide and 0.04% molybdenum and also contains up to 0.5% copper and up to 0.3% combined bismuth and zinc (157). 150/500-III Qarya-i-Baki, see the section on bismuth. 152/500-III Qarya-i-Saraw, Ghazni Province, 3255'N, 6657'E. Zones of fractured, silicified, and slightly greisenized rocks, 3 to 20 m wide and 2 to 3 km long, are outlined in Oligocene granite. Scheelite is present in quartz as scarce disseminations, with a 10-m interval containing 0.03 to 0.1% tungsten trioxide (157). 176/500-III Kharnay, Ghazni Province, 3247'55"N, 6720'E. The occurrence is restricted to skarned and cherty limestone, siltstone and sandstone of Ordovician age, which make up a roof remnant, 6 sq km in area, above an intrusion of Oligocene granite. Scheelite lenses, veinlets and non-uniform disseminations have been noted in the skarns. The skarn zones range in width from 30 to 96 m and extends for 1 km In the mineralized intervals, varying in thickness between 0.9 and 15 m, the tungsten trioxide content is in the range from 0.1 to 3.63%. In the areas enriched in scheelite (average thickness is 71 m and average length is 240 m), the tungsten trioxide content averages 0.14%. Scheelite has also been found in quartz stringers, in some places with the associated finely disseminated beryl. Speculative reserves of tungsten trioxide are 1.9 thousand tonnes at the average content of 0.14% (157). 79/500-III Maydan-Akhu, Zabul Province, 3246'24"N, 6654'38"E. 17 zones of greisens, 50 to 500 m long and 5 to 60 m wide, have been distinguished in Oligocene granitic rocks. One of the zones, 100 m in length and 6.75 m in width contains 0.41% tungsten trioxide, 0.13% beryllium oxide, and up to 0.53% beryllium. The greisens show thin quartz veins, 3.0 to 5 m, more seldom up to 300 m long, with disseminated wolframite, beryl, cassiterite, and molybdenite. The following contents have been found in a quartz vein varying in thickness between 0.1 and 2.0 m and extending for 300 m: up to 1.33% tungsten trioxide, 1.95% beryllium oxide, and 0.15% tin (108). 181/500-III Baytomor, see the section on tin. 182/500-III Adamkhel, Zabul Province, 3246'05"N, 6657'54"E. A zone with quartz veins, containing disseminated wolframite, scheelite, cassiterite, beryl, chalcopyrite, galena, molybdenite, bornite, pyrite, and hematite, has been distinguished in an intrusion of Oligocene granodiorite. The width of the zone is in the range from 50 to 100 m, its length is 800-1,000 m. The quartz veins vary in thickness between 0.2 and 4 m and in length between 200 and 300 m. The metallized rock contains 0.01 to 4.15% tungsten trioxide and hundredth fractions of one percent combined tin and beryllium oxide (few samples yielded 0.18 to 1% tin) (44, 157). 188/500-III Band, Zabul Province, 3245'32''N, 6653'01"E. Two zones of greisens, varying in width between 0.2 and 5.0 m and 30 and 70 m long, have been found in Oligocene granite. The central parts of the zones contain thin quartz veins whose selvages exhibit large wolframite crystals and finely disseminated scheelite, beryl, and cassiterite. One of the zones contains 0.04% tungsten trioxide in a 4.75 m interval and 0.12% W2O3 in a 1 m interval; the other 0.05% W2O3 in a 1.2 m interval. A 1.2 m interval contains 0.2% beryllium oxide (108). 142

199/500-III Kashmiran II, Zabul Province, 3243'48''N, 6641'46"E. Garnet-pyroxene skarn, 3 m thick and 70 m long, is developed in the contact zone between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and VendianCambrian marble. The tungsten trioxide content is 0.24% (157). 273/500-III Gumbad, Zabul Province, 3211'15"N, 6623'22''E. A zone of garnet and pyroxene-garnet skarns, varying in width between 1 and 10 m and extending for 500 m occurs at the contact between an intrusion of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite and Middle-Upper Jurassic marble. The skarns contain finely disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, and zeyringite. The tungsten trioxide content ranges from 0.1 to 0.3%, reaching sometimes 0.5% (157). 276/500-III Baragona I, Kandahar Province, 3208'25"N, 6603'36''E. Lenses, 40 m 300 m and 15 x 380 m in size, of pyroxene and garnet-pyroxene skarns with scarcely disseminated chalcopyrite and hematite have been found at the contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and Silurian marble. The metallized rock averages 0.05-0.06% tungsten trioxide, 0.25% tin, up to 0.5% copper, and up to 0.1% combined lead and zinc (157). Showings 17/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3738'25"N, 7054'50"E. Quartz veins 1 to 10 m thick have been distinguished in Proterozoic schist. The tungsten content varies between 0.01 and 0.3% (130). 65/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3714'08"N, 7101'25"E. A quartz vein, ranging in thickness front 2 to 4 m and extending for 70 m, occurs in Upper Triassic-Middle Jurassic siltstone. The vein contains 0.1% tungsten (130). 129/500-I Bamyan Province, 3447''18''N, 6800'25"E. Disseminated pyrite, in some places with galena, has been recognized in Proterozoic rocks, at their contact with stocks of Oligocene granite. The following minerals have been found in mortared assays: scheelite (single grains per assay to 42 g/t), pyrite, chalcopyrite, and gold (90). 7/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3359'15"N, 6648'46''E. A series of quartz veins, varying in thickness between 0.3 and 3.0 m and extending as far as 25 m, is found in Proterozoic metamorphics at their contact with Oligocene granitic rocks. Scarcely disseminated wolframite has been identified in the veins. The tungsten content is 0.04% and the copper content is 0.01% (146). 15/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3355'50"N, 6609'53''E. Scarcely disseminated sulfides and films of brightyellow ochre are present in shattered zones in red sandstone of Early Cretaceous age. The tungsten content is 0.03% (146). 17/500-III Maydan Province, 3355'03"N, 6837'10"E. A zone of skarned and silicified rocks, 1 to 10 m thick and tens of meters long, is observed in a series of gneiss, marble, and schist of Proterozoic age, near their contact with Oligocene granite. The skarns contain disseminated particles, up to 0.5 cm in diameter, of scheelite. The tungsten content is in the range from 0.03 to 0.1% (157). 19/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3354'01"N, 6658'38"E. Shattered zones have been recognized in Lower Triassic limestone. Their width varies between 10 and 30 cm, and length between 10 and 20 m. The tungsten content is 0.2% (146). 20/500-III Maydan Province, 3354'10''N, 6837'E. A fault zone, 100 to 150 m wide and 1,250 m long, which includes quartz-ferruginous rocks, is traced at the contact between Oligocene granite and Proterozoic gneiss. The zone contains up to 0.5% tungsten trioxide and 0.01 to 0.06% arsenic (157). 31/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3351'11''N, 6639'29''E. A shattered and silicifed zone has been found in Proterozoic siliceous rocks. Their breccia contains inclusions of yellow ochre and malachite coatings. The following contents have been determined: 0.3% tungsten, 0.3% copper, and 0.02% combined tin and zinc (146). 54/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3344'17"N, 6644'02"E. A thick (up to 60 m) zone of shattered, ochreous, and malachitized rocks has been distinguished in Oligocene granite. Quartz stringers with disseminated sulfides assay 0.05 to 1.0% tungsten, 0.1% copper and 0.04% tin (146).

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58/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3343'23"N, 6646'33"E. Zones of feldspathization with quartz stringers and disseminated pyrite have been recognized in Oligocene granite. The zones range in width from 10 to 15 m and in length exceed 1 km. The samples analyzed contain up to 0.4% tungsten, 0.04 to 0.5% copper, 0.1% zinc, and 0.01% tin (146). 69/500-III Ghazni Province, 3327'48"N, 6810'20''E. Two bodies of garnet skarn, 70 x 6 m and 18 x 2 m in size, with scarce disseminations and nests, 0.5 x 5 m in size, of scheelite occur in Proterozoic cherty shale and sandstone. The tungsten trioxide content ranges from 0.11 to 0.46% (157). 102/500-III Ghazni Province, 3308'40"N, 6727'30"E. A zone of silicified, chloritized, and epidotized rocks, 30 to 75 m wide and more than 1 km long, is traced in Oligocene granite. The tungsten trioxide content is as high as 0.01% (157). 177/500-III Zabul Province, 3246'56"N, 6703'03"E. A quartz vein, 3 m in thickness and 15 m in length, has been found in Oligocene granite. The content of tungsten trioxide is 0.1% and that of copper 0.03% (108). 183/500-III Ghazni Province, 3246'12"N, 6721'30"E. Quartz veins varying in thickness between 1 and 30 cm, with scheelite grains, have been observed in an intrusion of Oligocene granite (157). 185/500-III Zabul Province, 3245'56''N, 6658'14"E. Quartz stringers 1.5 to 2.0 cm thick and up to 4 m long, with disseminated chalcopyrite and scheelite and malachite film, have been distinguished in Oligocene granite. The tungsten trioxide content is 0.44% (108). 191/500-III Zabul Province, 3244'04"N, 6643'20"E. Small bodies of garnet-pyroxene skarn lie within an area 100 m long and 3 to 10 m wide at the contact zone between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and Cambrian marble. The tungsten trioxide content is 0.12% (157). 192/500-III Zabul Province, 3244'07''N, 6655'05''E. A 1 x 3 m lens of amphibole-garnet skarn has been distinguished at the contact between Oligocene granite and Devonian marmorized limestone. The content of tungsten trioxide is 0.85% (108). 220/500-III Zabul Province, 3236'51"N, 6655'36"E. A zone of shattered and silicified rock, 1.5 m wide and 15 m long, has been found in Proterozoic metamorphosed limestone. The tungsten trioxide content is 1.5%. Also, a quartz vein, 0.1 m in thickness and 12 m in length, has been distinguished there, with the contents of tungsten and copper equalling 0.32% and 1.02%, respectively (108). 233/500-III Zabul Province, 3232'32''N, 6634'55"E. Thick (5 to 20 m) zones of shattered and silicified rocks are associated with faults in Oligocene granite. These rocks contain up to 0.1% tungsten trioxide in a 5 m interval (157). 235/500-III Zabul Province, 3230'40''N, 6640'40"E. Garnet and plagioclase-pyroxene-garnet skarns, ranging is thickness from 1 to 30 m and extending for hundreds of meters, occur in the contact zone between Oligocene granite and Ordovician marble. A 20 m interval contains 0.01% tungsten trioxide (157). Mechanical Mineralogical Haloes 2/200-II Darrah-i-Jaway River drainage basin. The halo, 840 sq km in area, is restricted to exposures of Proterozoic metamorphics, Carboniferous and Lower Permian rock units, and Early Carboniferous gabbroic rocks cut by faults. Of 115 samples, 111 contain scheelite (single grains in a sample to 54 g/cu m), and 54, gold (single colours in a sample to 0.02 g/cu m) (72). 19/200-II, 200-IV See the section on gold. 12; 35/200-IV See the sections on gold (12) and tin (35). 49/200-IV Drainage basins of the Nakhchir Par and Darya-I-Pilo Rivers (halo is 500 sq km in area). Upper Triassic-Middle Jurassic sandstone and shale invaded by Oligocene granite are exposed in the area. Scheelite has been found in all 82 samples (from single grains in a sample to 0.8 g/cu m), and each two samples contain single grains of wolframite (130).

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84; 96/200-IV See the section on tin. 98/200-IV Upper reaches of the Darrah-i-Mashad River. The halo, 1,400 sq km in area, is localized in Proterozoic, Ordovician, and Lower Carboniferous strata, as well as in Early Triassic granitic rocks and Early Carboniferous gabbroic rocks. Of 198 samples, 193 contain scheelite (single grains in a sample to 37 g/cu m) and 60 gold (single colours in a sample to 0.09 g/cu m) (72). 105/200-IV Darya-i-Sang Lech Valley. Archean metamorphics and Oligocene granitic rocks are exposed within the halo, 550 sq km in area. Scheelite has been determined in 132 samples (single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m) (40). 109; 128; 136/200-IV See the sections on tin (109; 128) and lead and zinc (136). 138/200-IV Valley of the right-hand tributary of the Darya-i-Kokcha River. The halo, 220 sq km in area, is out lined in Silurian-Devonian deposits, Lower Carboniferous volcanics, and Early Triassic granitic rocks. Scheelite has been found in 57 samples in the amounts from single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m (40). 142; 146/200-IV See the section on lead and zinc. 156/200-IV, 500-IV Upper reaches of the Rode Chal and Darya-i-Andarab Rivers. The halo, 3,500 sq km in area, is restricted to Proterozoic, Carboniferous, and Triassic rocks invaded by Oligocene granitic rocks. Of 426 samples, 406 contain scheelite (single grains in a sample to 60 g/cu m). Also, single grains of galena and more seldom bismuthinite have been found (72). 1/300-III Darya-i-Shawr River drainage basin. The halo, 100 sq km in area, is at the contact between Early Cretaceous and Oligocene granitic rocks and Triassic terrigenous rocks. Scheelite, with the associated cassiterite and galena, has been identified in 26 samples (single grains in a sample to 1.6 g/cu m) (73). 4; 5/300-III See the section on tin. 6/300-III Drainage basin of the Darya-i-Alisu and Darya-i-Bay Tibat Rivers. The halo, 500 sq km in area, is developed within an intrusion of Early Cretaceous granitic rocks which enclose relics of CarboniferousLower Permian rocks cut by a series of faults. Scheelite has been found in 63 samples (single grains in a sample to 3.0 g/cu m), with the associated bismuthinite, galena, and cassiterite (73). 9; 10/300-III See the sections of tin (9) and lead and zinc (10). 18/300-III Upper reaches of the Darya-i-Waghir River. The halo, 100 sq km in area, is restricted to Carboniferous Lower Permian sequence intruded by Oligocene granitic rocks. Scheelite has been recognized in 10 samples (single grains in a sample to 1.0 g/cu m), with the associated cassiterite and galena (73). 20/300-III See the section on lead and zinc. 21/300-III Darya-i-Ishon River drainage basin. The 170 sq km halo includes exposures of Archean schist and Carboniferous-Lower Permian terrigenous rocks invaded by Oligocene and Late Cretaceous granitic rocks cut by faults. Scheelite has been identified in 14 samples (single grains in a sample to 3.0 g/cu m) (73). 23/300-III Darya-i-Ishmurg River drainage basin. The halo, 30 sq km in area, tends to be localized in the contact zone between Early Cretaceous and Oligocene granitic rocks and Carboniferous-Lower Permian terrigenous rocks. Scheelite has been found in 11 samples (single grains in a sample to 0.5 g/cu m) (73). 27/300-III Drainage basins of the Darya-i-Sust and Qalan Just Rivers. The halo, 100 sq km in area, includes exposures of Archean shale and Carboniferous-Permian terrigenous rocks intruded by Oligocene granitic rocks. Scheelite has been recognized in nine samples (single grains in a sample to 1.0 g/cu m), with the associated galena (73). 28/300-III Drainage basin of the left-hand tributary of the Wakhan Darya River. The halo, 30 sq km in area, is at the contact between Oligocene granitic rocks and Carboniferous-Lower Permian terrigenous rocks. Scheelite has been identified in three samples (1.5 to 2.5 g/cu m), with the associated galena (73). 29/300-III See the section on tin. 145

20/400-I The area of the Kotal-i-Zarmast Pass (halo is 13 sq km in area). Upper Permian and Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate sediments are exposed there. Scheelite has been found in 12 samples (single grains in a sample), with associated cinnabar (10). 30/400-I See the section on lead and zinc. 35/400-I, 400-II The right-hand bank of the Hari Rod River. The 250 sq km area of the halo includes exposures of Carboniferous, Upper Permian, Lower Triassic, Pliocene, and Eocene rock units and Early Carboniferous and Late Triassic granitic rocks. Scheelite has been recognized in 60 samples (single grains in each) and thorite and orthite with the associated galena, in 10 samples (single grains to 10 or more grains in each) (10). 42/400-I, 400-II Left-hand bank of the Hari Rod River. The 500 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Proterozoic, Upper Devonian-Lower Carboniferous, Eocene-Oligocene and Pliocene rock units cut through by an intrusion of Early Cretaceous granite. Scheelite has been identified in 67 samples (single grains in a sample to 18 g/cu m), with the associated galena, cerussite, cinnabar, orthite, and thorite (10, 43). 26/400-II, 500-I Tangi-Darrahe Amir, Kharasang, and Dr. Pushtelor rivers drainage basins. The halo, 500 sq km in area, tends to be restricted to Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene terrigenous-carbonate rocks lying on Late Triassic granitic rocks and Proterozoic schist. Scheelite with the associated cinnabar, lead minerals, and less common bismuthinite has been recognized in amounts ranging from 10 grains in a sample to 0.5 g/cu m (44). 34/400-II See the section on lead and zinc. 59/400-II Left-hand bank of the Hari Rod River. The halo covering 200 sq km is localized in Proterozoic metamorphics. Ten or more grains of scheelite, monazite, and less common sphene are present in 30 samples. Single grains of orthite have been found in each of 60 samples (10). 6; 29; 47/400-III See the section on tin (6; 29) and bismuth (47). 71/400-III Upper reaches of the left-hand tributaries of the Farah Rod River. The 220 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate sediments invaded by Late Cretaceous-Paleocene granosyenite. The content of scheelite in 27 samples varies between 10 grains in a sample to 2 g/cu m It forms an assemblage with galena and more rarely with bismuthinite and copper minerals (45). 4; 39/400-IV See the sections on mercury (4) and gold (39). 44/400-IV Gareba Village area. The halo covers 10 sq km where there are exposures of Lower Cretaceous limestone and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite. In all the 15 samples taken scheelite is present in the amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 7.5 g/cu m, and makes up an assemblage with galena (up to 1.4 g/cu m) and gold (113). 51/400-IV See the section on tin. 96/400-IV, 600-II Akazo village area. The halo covering 153 sq km, tends to be restricted to Oligocene granitic rocks enclosing relics of Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic rocks. In all the 170 samples taken scheelite has been found in the amounts varying between single grains in.a sample and 10 g/cu m (44). 10/500-I, 500-II Upper reaches of the Syahdara, Larkhab, and Pjez-Kul rivers. The halo covering an area of 150 sq km embraces Late Triassic granitic rocks, Early Carboniferous plagiogranite, and Silurian-Devonian and Cretaceous rock units. Scheelite has been identified in 35 samples in the amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 0.2-1.8 g/cu m (103). 67/500-I Right side of the Surkhab Valley. The 1,000 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Lower Carboniferous and Ordovician rock units intruded by Early and Late Triassic granitic rocks. Of 98 samples, scheelite with the associated galena, cassiterite, end bismuthinite has been found in 56 samples in amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 35 g/cu m (71). 109; 123/500-I See the sections on gold (109) and mercury (123). 140/500-I The halo 85 sq km in area is in the Helmand Rod River drainage basin. Upper Triassic and Carboniferous-Lower Permian shales are exposed there. Of 15 samples, 10 contain scheelite in amounts 146

varying between single grains in a sample and 1.2 g/cu m and 11, galena in amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 2.5 g/cu m (44). 163/500-I Kohe Kalandaran Ragne area. The 150 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Proterozoic and Carboniferous-Lower Permian rocks and also by Paleogene volcanics and Oligocene granite. Of 25 samples, 22 contain scheelite from single grains per sample to 1.6 g/cu m There have also been found single grains of the following minerals: cinnabar (12 samples), bismuthinite (six samples), galena (12 samples), and cassiterite (two samples) (44). 186/500-I Nawa-i-Surkhjoi River drainage basin. The halo, 230 sq km in area, is restricted to a series of faults in Upper Permian-Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks, Proterozoic metamorphics, and Early Cretaceous ultrabasic rocks. Of 50 samples, each of 30 has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of scheelite, 10 or more grains of cinnabar and galena, and single grains of gold and copper minerals (75). 187/500-I See the section on tin. 206/500-I Darya-i-Jelga River drainage basin. The halo covering 60 sq km tends to be localized in Devonian, Carboniferous, and Permian deposits. Of 15 samples each of eight contains single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite; three, up to 2.8 g of scheelite per cubic meter, and 11, up to 1.5 g of lead minerals per cubic meter (44). 210/500-II, 500-I See the section on tin. 3/500-II Tagabe Munjan (Kokcha) Valley. The halo covering 225 sq km embraces Proterozoic and Upper Permian-Triassic units, Oligocene granite, and Early Cretaceous gabbro-diorite. All 61 samples contain single grains in a sample to 10 g of scheelite per cubic meter (40). 22/500-II The halo covers 65 sq km in the Landay Sin Valley. Proterozoic schist and gneiss, Upper Triassic shale and limestone, and Oligocene granite are exposed in the area. All 13 samples contain up to 10 grains in a sample to 1 g of scheelite per cubic meter (40). 28/500-II Darrahe Pech. The 850 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Proterozoic metamorphics, Upper Triassic and Carboniferous-Lower Permian deposits, and Oligocene granite. Scheelite, ranging in amount from single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m, is present in all the 199 samples taken (40). 38/500-II Dr. Nurestan Valley. The halo covering an area of 400 sq km embraces exposures of Upper Triassic siltstone and sandstone, Proterozoic metamorphics, Oligocene granite, and Early Cretaceous gabbro-diorite. Single grains in a sample to10 g of scheelite per cubic meter have been found in all the 118 samples taken (40). 74/500-II Upper reaches of the Waygal Dara River. The halo covering 450 sq km is restricted to Carboniferous-Lower Permian deposits, Lower Carboniferous volcanics, Proterozoic schist and gneiss, and Oligocene granitic rocks. All 141 samples contain scheelite (single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m) (40). 75/500-II Darya-i-Salang River drainage basin. The 175 sq km area of the halo includes exposures of Proterozoic granite and metamorphics, Silurian-Devonian limestone, sandstone, and shale, Early Carboniferous ultrabasics, and Early Triassic granite. Single grains in a sample to weighable concentrations of scheelite have been identified in all the 36 samples taken (71). 83/500-II Left-hand bank of the Darya-i-Panjsher River. The 530 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Ordovician shale, Silurian-Devonian limestone, Proterozoic gneiss and schist, Oligocene granite, and Early Carboniferous ultrabasics. Of 231 samples, 213 contain scheelite (single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m); some cassiterite, gold, and secondary lead minerals are also present (39). 100; 105/500-II See the section on tin. 111/500-II Darae Alishang Valley. The halo covering an area of 60 sq km tends to be localized in shale, quartzite, and gneissic granite of Proterozoic age. In 14 samples, the scheelite content varies from 10 grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m (40). 121; 133; 135; 136; 150/500-II See the section on tin. 2/500-III See the section on tin. 147

3/500-III, 500-I Ghazni Town area, Oligocene granite, Proterozoic metamorphics, Permian-Carboniferous deposits, and Quaternary volcanics crop out within the halo which is 2,200 sq km in area. All the 177 samples taken contain scheelite in the amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m, and 30 samples, bismuthinite in the amounts ranging from single grains to 10 or more grains in a sample (44). 14; 62/500-III See the sections on tin (14) and gold (62). 81/500-III Drainage basin of the left-hand tributaries of the 81 Sardeh Rod River (halo has an area of 120 sq km). Paleocene-Eocene and Pliocene deposits are exposed in the area. Of 52 samples, each of 22 has yielded single grains of scheelite with the associated lead and copper minerals, and each of four, single grains of cinnabar (130). 83/500-III Argandab Rod River drainage basin. Oligocene granite, Devonian and Permian-Carboniferous deposits and Quaternary volcanics are exposed within the halo which is 700 sq km in area. All the 443 samples taken contain single grains in a sample to 10 g of scheelite per cubic meter (42). 88/500-III Upper reaches of the Argandab Rod River. The halo covering an area of 60 sq km is restricted to Oligocene granite, Ordovician, Silurian, and Permian-Carboniferous deposits, and Quaternary volcanic rocks. All 77 samples contain scheelite in the amounts varying between single grains in a sample and 10 g/cu m (42). 124/500-III Tirin Rod River drainage basin. The 640 sq km territory of the halo is underlain by Oligocene granite and Permian, Permian-Carboniferous, and Trias-Jurassic carbonate-terrigenous rocks. Scheelite has been identified in 46 samples (single grains to 10 or more grains in each); bismuthinite, in 66 samples (single grains in each); and cassiterite, in one sample (16 g/cu m) (70). 133/500-III Tangali River drainage basin. The halo covers an area of 291 sq km and is localized in Oligocene granite. Of 281 samples, 202 have yielded 1 to 50 g of scheelite per cubic meter (42). 173/500-III Arghandab Rod Valley. Oligocene granitic rocks, Proterozoic gabbroic rocks and schist, Silurian and Ordovician deposits are exposed within the halo which is 250 sq km in area. Scheelite has been identified in 141 samples in the amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m (42). 175/500-III See the section on tin. 212/500-III Right-hand bank of the Arghandab Rod River. The halo covers an area of 55 sq km and is restricted to Proterozoic metamorphic rocks, Ordovician sandstone and siltstone and Silurian limestone. Scheelite has been recognized in 71 samples, its amounts varying between single grains in a sample and 10 g/cu m (42). 213/500-III Arghandab Rod Valley. The 300 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Oligocene granitic rocks, Late Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbro-diorite, and Permian-Carboniferous, Devonian, and Cambrian rock units. Single grains in a sample to 10 g of scheelite per cubic meter have been identified in 169 samples (42). 218/500-III Right-hand bank of the Arghandab Rod River (area of the halo is equal to 85 sq km). Oligocene granitic rocks, Ordovician sandstone and siltstone, and Proterozoic schist and quartzite are exposed there. Scheelite has been found in 86 samples in the amounts varying between single grains in a sample and 10 g/cu m (42). 263/500-III Right-hand bank of the Arghandab Rod River. Cambrian, Ordovician, Silurian, and Triassic-Jurassic deposits and Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbro-norite are exposed within the halo which covers 35 sq km. All the 28 samples taken contain scheelite in the amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m (42). 264/500-III Upper reaches of the Duri Mandeh and Khokrez Tandech Rivers. The halo covers 40 sq km and is restricted to Upper Cretaceous sequence. Scheelite has been recognized in five samples (single grains in a sample to 0.72 g/cu m), with the associated lead minerals (130). 265/500-III Drainage basins of the Hotek Rod and Cadar Mandeh Rivers. Middle and Upper Paleogene deposits are exposed within the halo covering an area of 200 sq km. Single grains of scheelite are present in each of 12 samples out of 40 (130).

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275/500-III Middle course of the Janghargir Rod River. The halo, 150 sq km, in area, is localized in Eocene sequence and Miocene diorite porphyrite. Scheelite, with the associated secondary lead minerals, has been identified in 17 samples in the amounts ranging from single grains to 10 or more grains in a sample (130). 279/500-III, 700-I Middle course of the Shin Mandeh River. The halo, an area of 100 sq km, tends to be restricted to Upper Cretaceous sequence. Single grains of scheelite have been found in each of seven samples (130). 18; 24/700-I See the section on tin.

Tin Fields of Rare Metal Pegmatites 41; 89; 97/200-IV See the sections on tantalum and niobium (41, Shewa Field) and lithium (89, Kokcha Field; 97, Eshkashem Field). 173/500-I Behsud Field, Maydan Province, 3423'N, 6750'E. (central part). Ore bodies are located at the exo-contact of an intrusion of Oligocene granite surrounded by Proterozoic rocks. The field boundaries are inferred. An area of rare metal pegmatites concentration, called Dardang, has been discovered within the limits of the field (120). 71; 125/500-II See the section on tantalum and niobium (71, Panjsher Field; 125, Daramdaram Field). 41/500-III Tagawlor Field, see the section on lithium. Deposits 12/400-III "Vostok" (Misgaron), Herat Province, 3349'30"N, 6206'E. At the deposit covering an area of 12 sq km there is a wide zone of shattered and mineralized rock near an intrusion of Oligocene granitic rocks surrounded by sandstone, siltstone, shale, and limestone of Early Cretaceous age. The total length of the metallized part of the zone is 2.5 km, the width ranging between 50 and 300 m. By the mode of metallization, there has been distinguished the western part, totalling 1.5 km in length, with skarns mineralized by copper, magnetite, and tin, and the eastern part with sulphide-cassiterite mineralization, 950 m long and on the average 46 m thick, the metallized rock being exposed by workings to a depth of 270 m The western part comprises steeply and gently dipping skarn bodies involved in quartz-sulphide and sulphide mineralization. The thickness of the skarn bodies ranges from 1 to 10 m and their length amounts to 100 m. The skarns are garnet-diopside in composition and contain concentrations of magnetite and disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite. The tin content is hundredth fractions of one percent, reaching in single samples 0.28% per a 1 m interval. The eastern part represents a system of subparallel or intersecting veins and nests involved in tin-lead-zinc mineralization. Chloritization and silicification of the wall rocks are strongly pronounced. There have been distinguished veinlet-dissemination (predominating), massive sulphide, and limonite-hematite, with breccia structure, types of ore. The veinlet dissemination type is found in bodies up to 4 m thick and up to 60 m long, which are made up of altered terrigenous rocks with disseminations and thin veinlets of pyrrhotite, magnetite, galena, sphalerite, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, cassiterite, and stannite. The ore is reported to contain 0.01 to 0.2% tin, up to 0.1% copper, up to 0.5% lead, and up to 0.09% zinc. The massive sulphide ore composes thin lense-shaped bodies in zones of the veinlet-dissemination-type ore. Along with minerals found in the latter type, the former type also contains marcasite and pyrite. It assays 0.02 to 5% tin, up to 0.48% copper, up to 6.45% lead, and up to 0.48% zinc, with the sulphide tin content of 0.1% or less. The limonite-hematite ore forms nest-shaped deposits, occurring as "gossans" in the zone of oxidized rocks above massive and veinlet dissemination types of ore where cassiterite has been found in fragments of quartzcassiterite aggregates with limonite-hematite-cerussite cement. The following contents have been determined: 0.01 to 6.61% tin, up to 0.5% copper, 0.06 to 15% lead, and up to 0.1% zinc. The content of sulphide tin does not exceed 0.01% (79).

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37/400-III Tourmaline, Farah Province, 3305'45"N, 6140'E. Tin metallization occurs in a series of quartztourmaline veins and stringers, silicified and tourmalinized breccia, and metasomatically altered quartztourmaline rocks which make up a zone, 3.5 km long, at an exocontact of an intrusion of Oligocene granite in Eocene-Oligocene volcanics. The ore bodies of the deposit, are of the following mineral composition: quartz, tourmaline, muscovite, albite, fluorite, cassiterite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, hematite, sphalerite, galena, bismuthinite, apatite, zircon, and secondary lead and copper minerals. Four areas have been delimited: Northern, Central, Southern, and Contact. The Central area has been explored most thoroughly. A zone of metasomaticaly altered quartz-tourmaline rocks associated with a system of veins and metallized breccias, varying in width between 3 and 50 m and extending for 600 m, has been established there. Eight ore bodies have been discovered, containing 0.01 to 1.19% tin (0.24% on the average). At the Northern area the tin content is hundredth fractions of one percent, reaching 0.39% in rare cases. The Southern area represents a series of quartz-tourmaline and quartz-tourmaline-sulphide vein-shaped bodies, ranging in thickness from 3 to 17.4 m and in length from 40 to 260 m. The tin content is as high as 0.68%, averaging 0.1%. In the Contact area there is a series of vein-shaped quartz-tourmaline bodies. They contain 0.01 to 1.35% tin, with the average tin content of 0.47% for a 1.6-m interval. Along with tin, the following maximum element contents have been reported from the deposit: 0.31% copper, 0.03% lead, 0.5% zinc, 0.3% arsenic, 0.1% bismuth, and 0.07% tungsten (69). 48/500-III Tagawlor, see the section on lithium. Occurrences 9; 100; 103; 140/200-IV See the sections on copper (9, Chasnud-i-Bala) and lithium (100, Road-Side; 103, Futur; 140, Dehgal). 16/300-III Qara-Jelga, Badakhshan Province, 3714'35"N, 7425'14''E. Mineralization occurs in a zone of shattered rock in Oligocene granite. The ore minerals are pyrite, chalcopyrite, and more rarely cassiterite. The contents are: 0.06 to 0.1% tin, 0.03% copper, and 0.01% bismuth (73). 55/400-II Tagab-Soni I, see the section on copper. 14/400-III Bande Medira (Dagnhana), Herat Province, 3347'10''N, 6201'20''E. Oligocene granite encloses a system of subparallel quartz-tourmaline veins and zones of tourmalinized rocks with disseminated cassiterite, magnetite, scheelite, galena, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. The veins and zones, ranging in thickness from 0.1 - 5 m to 10 m and extending up to 250 m, average 0.02-0.05% tin, more rarely 0.2-0.45% tin and 0.03-0.05% copper. A zone has been distinguished of garnet-diopside, diopside-vesuvian, quartz-epidote, and magnetite skarns, 500 m long and 15 m wide, with disseminated chalcopyrite, oxidized pyrite, and secondary copper minerals. Skarn eluvium contains cassiterite in the amounts varying between 1 and 20 g/cu m The skarns average 0.02% tin, with the maximum tin content of 0.11%. They also contain up to 0.2% copper and up to 1% combined lead and zinc (69). 15/400-III Dacite, Herat Province, 3347'N, 6202'E. At the occurrence, Oligocene granite and EoceneOligocene volcanics include areas of quartz-tourmaline veins and stringers, ranging in thickness from 0.1 to 0.5 m, extending as far as 50 m, and metallized by tin minerals. The tin content varies between 0.02 and 1.0%. Lead, zinc, and arsenic have also been found in the amounts of hundredth and tenth fractions of one percent (69). 25/400-III Sordahana, see the section on copper. 33/400-III Sarkora, Farah Province, 3309'30''N, 6145'E. Zones of shattered rocks, 0.05 sq km in area, with quartz stringers and hematite veinlets, are observed in brecciated and slightly silicified dacite-liparite volcanics of Eocene-Oligocene age. The content of tin ranges from 0.01 to 0.79% and that of copper from 0.07 to 0.5% (69). 150

34/400-III Bulghaja, Farah Province, 3909'N, 6149'E. The occurrence represents a zone of silicified and serpentinized breccia with disseminated galena and hematite, 10 m in width and 500 m in length, which is enclosed in Eocene-Oligocene volcanics. The breccia contains 0.11 to 2% tin, 0.01 to 1% lead, and 0.01 to 0.3% zinc (69). 38/400-III Qoci, Farah Province, 3305'20''N, 6145'27"E". Three zones of silicified rocks have been distinguished in Oligocene granite. The zones vary in width between 3 and 7 m (22 m in swells) and in length between 25 and 70 m, and average 0.03-0.05% tin. There have also been determined the following maximum contents: 0.23% copper, 0.07% zinc, and 0.03% lead (158). 39/400-III Seh Kuta, Farah Province, 3305'N, 6142'E. The mineralization occurs in a zone of breccia and a series quartz veins in Oligocene granitic rocks. The width of the zone is in the range from 1 to 60 m and its length is 6.5 km Within its limits, rocks are limonitized and contain disseminated cassiterite and galena, with the tin content varying between 0.01 and 0.03% and the lead content between 0.05 and 0.11% (69). 42/400-III Kelkak, Farah Province, 3202'55''N, 6141'40"E. The mineralization has been found in a stock of leucocratic granite of Oligocene age in dacite-prophyrite lava flows and tuff of Eocene-Oligocene age. The mineralization is of the stockwork type and manifests itself as quartz stringers with scheelite, chalcopyrite, and cassiterite. The length of the stockwork is 244 m and its width is 55 m. The contents are: 0.01 to 0.03% tin, up to 0.05% combined copper and lead, and up to 0.07% tungsten. Numerous variously trending quartz veins and stringers with a high scheelite content have been distinguished in the volcanic rocks. The average content of tungsten is 0.03%, and that of molybdenum 0.1% (158). 44/400-III Shand, Farah Province, 3300'30''N, 6051'E.The occurrence is restricted to a 100x700 m block made up of Lower Cretaceous limestone which is a relic of the roof pendant on an intrusion of Oligocene granite. It contains several lens-shaped bodies, 3 to 4 m thick and 15 to 20 m long, formed of garnetpyroxene skarn with magnetite and disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, galena, and arsenopyrite. The metallized material contains 0.18 to 0.32% tin (for a 1-2 m interval), 0.05 to 0.12% zinc, 0.03 to 1.2% copper, 0.08 to 0.3% lead, 0.1 to 0.3% bismuth, and 0.03% to 0.7% arsenic (69). 46/400-III Baser, Farah Province, 3258'56''N, 6140'57"E. Several zones of silicified and hematitized rocks, up to 100 m in width and 2 km long, have been distinguished in Oligocene granosyenite and EoceneOligocene volcanics. Ore bodies within the zone vary in width between 0.5 and 2.0 m and in length between 40 and 100 m. The content of tin is as much as 1% and that of tungsten is 0.07% (158). 83/400-IV Shin Ghar, Kandahar Province, 3214'09"N, 6543'03". The occurrence is localized in marmorized limestone of Late Triassic age intruded by Oligocene granite. There have been recognized three zones of skarns and skarned rocks (Main, Eastern, and Northern). The Main Zone, varying in width between 1 and 15 m and extending for 150 m, is composed of skarn with disseminated chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, and galena, and in some places ludwigite and magnetite. The metallized material contains 0.18% tin, 0.2% copper, and 0.15% zinc for a 14.5 m interval. The Eastern Zone, as wide as 0.5 m and 130 m long, is made up of skarned and serpentinized marble with disseminated chalcopyrite and secondary copper minerals. The tin content is as high as 0.003% and the copper content is 0.34%. The Northern Zone, 2 m in width and 100 in length, varies widely in rock composition from slightly metasomatically altered poorly mineralized marble to skarn containing ludwigite and magnetite with scarcely disseminated chalcopyrite and pyrite. The maximum content of tin is 0.01% and that of copper is 0.47% (158). 85/400-IV Zyadan, Kandahar Province, 3214'05''N, 6544'32"E. The occurrence is restricted to a fault zone in Upper Triassic limestone. There have been found three isolated zones of cassiterite-enriched rocks. The Western Zone is 0.8 m wide and 10 m long, and averages 1.75% tin; the Central Zone is 1.75 m in width and 18-20 m in length averaging 0.78% tin. The Eastern Zone, pipe-shaped (lens-shaped in plan, 8 x 18 m in size), consists of dolomite and rhodochrosite. Small (1 to 2 mm in diameter) grains of cassiterite make up nests, veinlets, and small lenses, up to 10 cm in width. The central part of the ore body exhibits large nests and lenses of arsenopyrite with disseminated cassiterite (up to 3%) and scheelite. The ore is reported to grade 0.1 to 11.4% tin (1.5% tin on the average) (69). 87/400-IV Zyadan I, Kandahar Province, 3213'23"N, 6543'28''E. A zone of shattered and mineralized rocks, ranging in width from 10 to 35 m and extending for 220 m, is restricted to a fault in Upper Triassic 151

limestone. The rock is metallized by fine disseminations, veinlets, and small lenses of cassiterite and magnetite, and by coatings of malachite and azurite. A 4 m interval averages 0.32% tin, and a 2 m interval averages 0.5% tin (158). 88/400-IV Gbargei, see the section on copper. 90/400-IV Chenar, Kandahar Province, 3211'15"N, 6539'10"E. The occurrence is restricted to skarns and shattered zones at the contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and Upper Triassic limestone. There have been distinguished several types of tin mineralization: (1) skarn, (2) ferruginous-carbonate, and (3) tinbearing breccia. Skarns make up two large zones: the Central and Southern. The Central Zone, ranging in width from 1 to 15 m (10 m on the average) and extending for 1,150 m, consists of garnet-diopside skarn with vesuvian, epidote, magnetite, chalcopyrite, bornite, molybdenite, ludwigite, and scarcely disseminated cassiterite and gold, with coatings of malachite and azurite. The metallized material averages 0.03% tin (0.22% at maximum) for a 6 m. interval, and 0.11% copper (1.8% at maximum) for a 10 m interval. The Southern Zone, 12 m wide and 950 m long, is lenticular. Its mineral composition is similar to that of the Central Zone. Average contents are: 0.05% tin, 0.35% copper, and 0.36 g of gold per tonne. Within a cassiterite-enriched section, 3.8 m in width and 160 m in length, the average tin content is 0.21%. The tin mineralization of the ferruginous-carbonate type manifests itself as lenses and pockets in hematitized limestone within a zone 50 m in width and 300 m in length. The lenses range in width from 1 to 8 m and in length from 10 to 30 m. The ore is composed of calcite, dolomite, malachite, limonite, pyrite, magnetite, and cassiterite and contains hundredth fractions of one percent to 11% tin, up to 1% copper, and hundredth fractions of one percent combined lead and zinc. Tin-bearing breccias have been discovered in fault zones with slight manifestations of hematitization, carbonatization, and skarn-type replacement. The contents are: 0.4 to 2.13% tin, 0.3 to 1.56% copper, and up to 1% lead. The mineralization is similar in character to that of the ferruginous-carbonate type (69). 80/500-I Derrah-i-Alasang, see the section on copper. 177/500-I Dardang, Maydan Province, 3422'40-3424'30"N, 6748'30''-6749'40"E. A belt of closely spaced lenses and dikes of pegmatitic composition, up to 45 m wide and 400 m long, has been distinguished in phyllite-like schist of Proterozoic age. The belt includes some 50 lenses of two types of pegmatite: (1) albitized, with schorl, ilmenite, and tantalite-columbite, containing 0.04% tin (seldom 0.32% tin) and up to 0.5% lithium; (2) greisenized, with quartz, muscovite, and cassiterite, less commonly with tantalitecolumbite. The following contents have been determined: 4.28 to 5.2% tin, 0.03 to 0.05% tantalum, 0.05 to 0.7% niobium, up to 0.07% lithium, and 0.01 to 0.02% beryllium. 600 m to the south-west from the belt of pegmatite lenses, there is a dike-shaped body of pegmatite granite reaching in thickness 35 m and in length 300 m. The granite has at places been albitized, and its tin content is as high as 0.2% (69). 214/500-I Gulbina, see the section on tungsten. 76; 92; 95/500-II See the section on tantalum and niobium (76, Salang; 92, Taghma; 95, Sumte-Shamir). 122/500-II Awlagal, Konar Province, 3456'10''-3457'00"N, 7042'30"-7044'10"E. More than 15 pegmatite dikes have been found at the deposit, all occurring in Lower Cretaceous quartz diorite. They are as long as 2 km, their thickness ranges from 1 to 10 m. The following types of pegmatite have been distinguished: (1) albitespodumene-cassiterite, (2) quartz -microcline-albite with beryl, and (3) slightly albitized, quartz-microcline, with muscovite and schorl. The albite-spodumene-cassiterite dikes are of interest. There are five such dikes at the deposit, varying in length between 500 m and 1.2 km and in thickness between 1 and 5 m. A 1-3 m interval contains 0.07% tin, and certain sampled sections contain 0.3 to 1.52% tin. Furthermore, there have been determined 0.08% beryllium, 1 to 3% lithium, and first few hundredth fractions of one percent niobium (69). 131/500-II Daramdaram, see the section on tantalum and niobium. 47/500-III Dariw Sheng, see the section on tungsten. 49/500-III Sheng, Oruzgan Province, 3345'N, 6640'E. The area of the occurrence includes about 300 quartz veins and silicified zones in an intrusion of Oligocene granite. The veins vary in thickness between 1 and 15 cm, amounting to 1 m in swells, and in length between 10 and 100 m. The zones range in width from 0.3 to 1.5 m and in length from 30 to 100 m. The mineral composition of veins is as follows: quartz, pyrite, chalcopyrite, 152

arsenopyrite, galena, limonite, malachite, and azurite, scarcely disseminated cassiterite and scheelite grains. The veins and zones contain 0.01 to 2% tin (single samples contain as much as 14% tin for a 10-15 cm interval), 0.02 to 0.16% (0.3% in one sample) tungsten trioxide, 0.01 to 0.05% copper, and up to 1% arsenic (69). 50/500-III Eskan, see the section on lead and zinc. 120/500-III Larga, Ghazni Province, 3301'00''-3301'30''N, 6742'50''-6744'20"E. Brecciated rock with quartz, calcite, hematite, magnetite, and limonite has been distinguished in a fault zone in Upper Permian marmorized limestone. The width of the zone varies between 2 and 14 m and its length amounts to 3 km. A 4 m interval contains 0.27%; tin, 0.4 to 15.37% lead, up to 1% zinc, up to 1% copper, and 0.5 to 2.8 g of gold per tonne (69). 129/500-III Kareztu, Ghazni Province, 3258'02"N, 6741'53"E. Skarn with disseminated sulfides is traceable in the contact zone between Upper Triassic limestone and an intrusion of Upper CretaceousPaleocene granosyenite. The skarn varies in width between 1 and 3 m and extends for 50 m. The following contents have been reported: 0.01 to 0.2% tin, up to 2% copper, 0.6% lead, 0.6 to 2.24% zinc, and up to 0.4 g of gold per tonne (100). 141/500-III Mirzaka, see the section on gold. 151/500-III Syager, Ghazni Province, 3256'20''N, 6740'20''E. Hematitized and limonitized carbonate breccia with disseminated cassiterite and coatings of malachite, azurite, and cerussite have been found in a zone of skarned rock at the contacts between dikes of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene andesite porphyrite and Middle Triassic limestone. A 1-6 m interval contains 0.4 to 2.5% tin, and a 6 m interval contains 0.1 to 0.77% lead, 0.42 to 1.65% zinc, 0.1 to 1% copper, up to 0.1% bismuth, and up to 100 g of silver per tonne. Located somewhat to the south-east, the Syagar I occurrence represents a 40 x 12 m lens of brecciated limestone containing concentrations of limonite-cerussite ore with disseminated cassiterite and malachite coatings. A 1 m interval contains 0.1 to 0.4% tin, a 20 m interval contains 4.22% lead, 0.3% copper, and 0.4% zinc, and a 6 m interval contains 0.45% arsenic; the silver content is as high as 200 g/t (79). 155/500-III Maghn, Ghazni Province, 3255'20''N, 6738'E. Areas of brecciated and hematitized rock occur along a fault zone in Upper Triassic limestone and dolomite. The metallized interval ranges from 1 to 50 m and extends as far as 15 km. Two ore-bearing zones have been recognized there, varying in width between 5 and 100 m, being 600 and 160 m long. They are formed of coarse breccia with hematite-carbonate cement containing cassiterite, magnetite, pyrite, ludwigite, secondary minerals of copper, lead and zinc, and garnet, epidote, and tourmaline. The tin content ranges from 0.07 to 1.3%, averaging 0.11%. Also, the following maximum contents have been reported: 0.66% lead, 0.3% zinc, 0.2% copper, and 0.6 g of gold per tonne (79). 169/500-III Khinjak, Ghazni Province, 3251'45''N, 6737'05''E. A zone of hematitized and limonitized brecciated limestone, 4 to 7.5 m in width, is traced in Upper Permian sequence. The metallized material contains up to 0.2% tin, up to 0.1% copper, and 0.4 to 1% lead (69). 179/500-III Maydan-Akhu, see the section on tungsten. 181/500-III Baytomor, Zabul Province, 3246'06''N, 6648'06''E. Nine zones of quartz-muscovite greisen and greisenized granite, ranging in width from 1 to 55 m and in length from 15-200 m to 1 km, have been noted in Oligocene granite. The mineral composition of the greisen is as follows: quartz, muscovite, topaz, fluorite, hematite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, zircon, cassiterite, and wolframite. In addition, the mineralized rocks carry occasional concentrations of beryl, lepidolite, scheelite, zircon, tantalite-columbite, molybdenite, and bismuthinite. In the zones of greisenized rock, scarce lenses and stringers of quartz can be observed, with disseminated wolframite, cassiterite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, hematite, and epidote. The greisen also shown areas of shattered and silicified rock as wide as 50 m, with disseminated hematite, epidote, fluorite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. The greisen contains at maximum 0.33% tin, 0.02% tungsten trioxide, and 0.15% copper. Tin content in the zones of shattered and silicified rock is 0.1% (108). 182; 276/500-III See the section on tungsten (182, Adamkhel; 276, Baragana). 277/500-III Baragana, Kandahar Province, 3208'N, 6605'E. The occurrence is restricted to quartz veins, varying in thickness between 0.05 and 0.1 m and in length between 5 and 10 m, which occur in Oligocene

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granodiorite. Cassiterite, chalcopyrite, and galena have been found in the veins, with tin content ranging from 2.38 to 4.62% (69). 280/500-III Baghtu, Kandahar Province, 3207'N, 6602'E. Skarn with scheelite occurs at the contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granitic rocks and Silurian carbonate-terrigenous rocks. Tin content amounts to 0.3% (157). Showings 32/400-III Farah Province, 3310'45"N, 6155'04"E, A zone of shattered, silicified, hematitized, and tourmalinized rocks, 2 m wide and 15 m long, can be followed in Eocene-Oligocene volcanics, The rocks contain disseminated galena and coatings of malachite. The content of tin in 0.12% at maximum and that of lead varies between 0.08 and 2.46% (158). 45/400-III Farah Province, 3259'30"N, 6245'26"E. Tourmalinized rock, 500 to 800 m thick, which contains up to 0.02% tin, is enclosed in Eocene-Oligocene volcanic rocks (158). 215/500-I Oruzgan Province, 3403'N, 6640'E. Cassiterite has been found in mortared samples taken from a zone of quartz-tourmaline stringers, 10 m in width and 100 m in length (69). 15/500-II Baghlan Province, 3547'N, 6717'12"E. A zone of shattered and ochreous rock has been distinguished within a fault zone in Middle-Upper Triassic volcanics. The zone, varying in width between 5 and 7 m and extending as far as 500 m, contains 0.05% tin (71). 1/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3400'N, 6640'E. Cassiterite has been identified in mortared samples taken from quartz-microcline-muscovite pegmatite and from silicified and tourmalinized rock of Proterozoic age (69). 26/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3352'48"N, 6635'35"E. Tin content of 0.1% has been determined in a zone of shattered and silicified rock of Proterozoic age, 1 m wide and 50 m long (146). 32/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3349'05"N, 6644'10"E. A zone of hornfels and hornfelsed rock in Proterozoic schist occurs at the contact of an intrusion of Oligocene granitic rocks. Tin content is 0.1%. Also, the following maximum contents have been reported: 0.3% bismuth, 0.3% copper, and 0.06% arsenic (146). 34/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3348'36"N, 6643'11"E. A quartz vein with scarcely disseminated cassiterite and sulfides has been found in an intrusion of Oligocene granite. Its width is 1.2 m and length 60 m. Somewhat to the south, there are zones of shattered and silicified rock (Lokhak), ranging in width from 1 to 12 m and extending as far as 1 km. The contents are: 0.01 to 0.1% tin, up to 0.3% tungsten, up to 0.8% copper, up to 0.05% arsenic, and up to 0.03% bismuth (146). 36/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3348'20''N, 6644'22''E. The occurrence is localized in a zone of shattered and malachitized rock, 15 to 20 m wide, in Oligocene granite. The following contents have been found: 0.3% tin, 0.06% tungsten, and 3.0% copper (146). 40/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3347'15"N, 6645'27"E. A zone of shattered, silicified, and slightly ochreous rock has been recognized in Oligocene granite. The zone, varying in width between 10 and 12 m and extending for several kilometers, contains 0.06% tin, 0.03% tungsten, and 0.05% copper (146). 44/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3346'05"N, 6641'33''S. A zone of shattered and silicified rock with sulfide disseminations was traced in Oligocene granite. The contents area up to 0.03% tin, up to 0.06% copper, and 0.03% lithium (146). 53/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3344'24''N, 6632'12''E. Pegmatite dikes, 0.5 to 1.0 m in thickness and up to 50 m in length, occur in Proterozoic metamorphics. The content of tin is 0.4% and that of lithium 0.01% (146). 60/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3340'55"N, 6613'50''E. A swarm of pegmatite dikes is established in Proterozoic metamorphic rocks. The dikes range in width from 1.5 to 5 m and extend for tens and hundreds of meters. The metallized material contains 0.2% tin, 0.1% tungsten, 0.003% niobium, and 0.01% lithium (146).

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63/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3337'02"N, 6615'10"E. A pegmatite dike, up to 4 m thick and 150 m long, has been found in Proterozoic metamorphics. The following contents have been reported: 0.1% tin, 0.1% beryllium, and 0.03% lithium (146). 66/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3335'23"N, 6616'06"E. A pegmatite dike, up to 25 m in thickness and more than 400 m in length, occurs in Proterozoic metamorphic rocks. The contents are 0.5% tin, 0.1% beryllium, and 0.03% lithium (146). 68/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3328'49"N, 6621'01"E. The following contents have been determined in a 10 cm-wide zone of silicified limestone of Permian-Carboniferous age, which forms a relic of the roof on an intrusion of Oligocene granitic rocks: 0.08 to 0.3% tin, up to 3.0% copper, up to 0.05% tungsten, up to 0.2% bismuth, up to 0.01% silver, end 0.01% arsenic (146). 80/500-III Ghazni Province, 3318'10''N, 6740'20"E. Skarn with galena, bornite, cuprite, covellite, and malachite has been found at the contact between Upper Permian limestone and a stock of Oligocene granite. Its tin content is 0.14%, and the maximum contents of the other metals are as follows: 0.26% lead, 3.02% copper, 2.2% zinc, and 0.5 g of gold per tonne (42). 85/500-III Ghazni Province, 3314'50"N, 6716'20''E. Cataclastic and silicified sandstone of Early-Middle Devonian age has been found to contain 1% tin and 0.3 g of gold per tonne (42). Non-Workable Placers 31/400-III North Placer, Farah Province, 3311'N, 6143'E. Cassiterite has been identified in (1) alluviumand-talus sediments of ancient terraces, 5 to 10 m thick (30 to 175 g/cu m); and (2) alluvium, 0.3 to 0.5 m thick (150 to 1,111 g/cu m). Ravine placers, ranging in length from 50 to 100 m, in width from 0.2 to 1.5 m, and in thickness from 0.1 to 0.2 m, contain 700 g to 13 kg of cassiterite per cubic meter. The speculative reserves of the placer are 11.5t (158). 35/400-III Cone Placer, Farah Province, 3303'50"N, 6130'00"E. Talus-alluvial sediments have been found to contain 0.2 to 0.9 kg of cassiterite per cubic meter (158). Mechanical Mineralogical Haloes 35/200-IV Left-hand tributaries of the Darya-i-Panj River. The halo covering an area of 350 sq km is restricted to a fault system at the contact between terrigenous rock units of Triassic and Jurassic age and Archean metamorphics and Oligocene granitic rocks. The samples collected contained single grains in a sample to 1.5 g (rarely 10 g) of cassiterite per cubic meter (35 samples) and single grains in a sample to 0.8 g of scheelite per cubic meter (32 samples) (40). 47/200-IV Upper reaches of the Pasha Darrah River and the drainage basin of its left-hand tributaries (area of the halo is 150 sq km). Pliocene sandstone and conglomerate cut by a series of faults are exposed there. Of 35 samples, each of 31 has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite, and some cinnabar has been found in 14 samples (72). 60/200-IV Right-hand tributary of the Darya-i-Shewa River. Upper Triassic-Middle Jurassic deposits are exposed within the halo, 7 sq km in area. Of 10 samples, each of five contains single grains of cassiterite (133). 84/200-IV Drainage basin of the left-hand tributary of the Darya-i-Panj River (area of the halo is 60 sq km). Marble and gneiss of Archean age are distributed there. Of 27 samples, each of 10 has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite. Scheelite has been identified in all the samples in the amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 3.4 g/cu m (41). 96/200-IV Left-hand bank of the Darya-i-Panj River. The halo covering 180 sq km is restricted to a quartzite-shale sequence of Carboniferous-Early Permian and Late Triassic age and to Oligocene granitic rocks. Of 31 samples, 20 contain cassiterite in the amounts ranging from single grains to 8 g/cu m Ten or more gold colours have been found in each of eight samples, and scheelite recognized in all the samples in the amounts varying between single grains in a sample and weighable quantities (41).

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109/200-IV Dehgal Valley. The 650 sq km area of the halo includes exposures of Carboniferous Lower Permian quartzite and shale, Upper Permian-Lower Triassic quartzite and limestone, Upper Triassic limestone, Miocene and Pliocene sandstones and conglomerates, and Oligocene granitic rocks. Of 91 samples, 69 have yielded cassiterite (single grains in a sample to 0.9 g/cu m); 79, scheelite (single grains in a sample to 0.8 g/cu m); and 52, galena (single grains in a sample to 0.2 g/cu m) (41). 111/200-IV Right-hand bank of the Darya-i-Kokcha River. The halo covering an area of 225 sq km is confined to an Archean marble-gneiss sequence. Of 50 samples, 23 contain cassiterite in the amounts ranging from single grains to 10 or more grains in a sample, and 10, ten or more gold colours in a sample (41). 128/200-IV Right-hand bank of the Darya-i-Kokcha River, The halo covering 60 sq km is notable for exposures of Archean marble-gneiss sequence. Of nine samples, four contain cassiterite (single grains in a sample to 0.5 g/cu m). Scheelite has been identified in all the samples (10 grains in a sample to 0.3 g/cu m) (41). 1/300-III See the section on tungsten. 4/300-III Drainage basin of the left tributary of the Darya-i-Pamir River. The halo covering an area of 40 sq km is localized in an intrusion of Early Cretaceous granite and Carboniferous-Lower Permian rocks. Cassiterite has been found in five samples in the amounts varying between single grains in a sample and 1.0 g/cu m, with the associated scheelite (73). 5/300-III Darya-i-Mehman-Juli River drainage basin. The halo covering 150 sq km is restricted to faulted Carboniferous-Lower Permian deposits, Eocene-Oligocene volcanics, and Early Cretaceous granitic rocks. Cassiterite has been identified in 11 samples (single grains in a sample to 0.1 g/cu m) and scheelite in 17 samples (single grains in a sample to 0.4 g/cu m), with the associated galena, bismuthinite, and chalcopyrite (73). 9/300-III Darya-i-Qara-Selga River drainage basin. The 300 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Early Cretaceous and Oligocene granitic rocks and faulted sequence of Carboniferous-Early Permian age. Cassiterite has been recognized in 30 samples in the amounts varying between single grains in a sample and 90 g/cu m, and scheelite, in 33 samples in the amounts ranging from single grains in sample to 152 g/cu m, with the associated bismuthinite, galena, malachite, and chalcopyrite (73). 13/300-III Left-hand tributary of the Darya-i-Pamir River, The halo, 50 sq km in area, tends to be limited to an intrusion of Early Cretaceous granitic rocks and Carboniferous-Lower Permian terrigenous deposits. Cassiterite has been identified in 11 samples (single grains in a sample to 0.5 g/cu m), with the associated scheelite and basobismuthite (73). 18; 20/300-III See the sections on tungsten (18) and lead and zinc (20). 29/300-III Drainage basin of the left-hand tributary of the Darya-i-Panj River (area of the halo is 40 sq km). Carboniferous-Lower Permian terrigenous rocks intruded by Oligocene granitic rocks are exposed here. Cassiterite and scheelite have been found in five samples in the amounts varying between single grains in a sample and 0.8 g/cu m, and galena and cerussite, in seven samples, in the amounts ranging from 10 grains in a sample to 1.0 g/cu m (73). 22/400-I Lower reaches of the Hari Rod River. Eocene and Quaternary sediments are exposed within the halo, 300 sq km in area. Single grains of cassiterite with the associated monazite, thorite, galena, cinnabar, and gold are observable in each of 42 samples (43). 30/400-I See the section on lead and zinc. 40/400-I Ghuryan Village area. The halo covering 400 sq km is localized in Lower-Middle Jurassic and Upper Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous rock units invaded by acid subvolcanic bodies of Eocene-Oligocene age and overlain by Pliocene and Quaternary sediments. Single grains of cassiterite have been identified in each of 56 samples, with the associated cinnabar, bismuthinite, and gold (43). 11/400-III Drainage basin of the right-hand tributaries of the Rode Murghab River. Middle-Upper Triassic and Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene terrigenous-carbonate rock units are exposed within the halo covering 150 sq km, Cassiterite has been found in 12 samples (10 or more grains in each), with the associated sphalerite (43). 156

2/400-III Ghurian Village area. The halo covering 400 sq km is restricted to Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Pliocene rock units and Early Cretaceous granitic rocks. Single grains of cassiterite with the associated cinnabar were identified in each of 56 samples out of 60. Ten or more gold colours are present in each of six samples (43). 5/400-III Herat City area. Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous rocks and Lower Cretaceous terrigenouscarbonate rock units intruded by Early Cretaceous and Oligocene granites, are exposed within the halo, which occupies 100 sq km. Cassiterite is observable in nine samples (10 grains in a sample to 5 g/cu m), with the associated cinnabar, gold, and secondary copper and lead minerals (43). 6/400-III Sides of the Kohe Bande Medira Range. The halo occupying 600 sq km is restricted to Lower Cretaceous and Pliocene terrigenous-carbonate rock units, Eocene-Oligocene volcanics and Oligocene granitic rocks. Cassiterite has been recognized in 39 samples in the amounts ranging from 1 to 200 g/cu m, and scheelite, in 129 samples in the amounts varying between single grains in a sample and 8 g/cu m These occur together with secondary copper and lead minerals (43). 24/400-III Adraskan Village area. (The halo is spread over an area of 450 sq km). Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate sequence and Eocene-Oligocene volcanic rocks, invaded by numerous dikes and stocks of granodiorite, are exposed in the area. Cassiterite has been found in 53 samples (single grains in a sample to 20 g/cu m) (69). 26/400-III Nazarkhan Village area. The 220 sq km halo is restricted to Lower Cretaceous and Pliocene carbonate-terrigenous sequence and Eocene-Oligocene volcanics. Cassiterite has been identified in 33 samples in the amounts varying between 10 grains in a sample and 20 g/cu m, with the associated secondary lead minerals (43). 27/400-III Kohe Shindand Mountain area. Eocene-Oligocene volcanic-sedimentary rocks and Oligocene. Neogene, and Quaternary terrigenous deposits are exposed within the halo, whose area is 120 sq km.. Cassiterite has been recognized in 92 samples (10 grains in a sample to 80 g/cu m), with the associated secondary lead and copper minerals (43). 29/400-III Kohe Shindand Mountain area. Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate deposits, EoceneOligocene volcanics, and Oligocene granite are exposed within the halo which covers 1,800 sq km. Cassiterite content is as high as 1,000 or more grams per cubic meter (up to 13 kg/cu m in tin-bearing placers). The cassiterite occurs together with scheelite (10 grains in a sample to 100 g/cu m) and copper, lead, and bismuth minerals, and also with scarce cinnabar and gold (69). 41/400-III Upper reaches of the Rode Tage Naomed River (area of the halo is 200 sq km). Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous sequence, Eocene-Oligocene volcanics and Oligocene granite are exposed within the halo. Cassiterite has been found in 109 samples in the amounts ranging from 10 grains in a sample to 40 g/cu m (69). 43/400-III Anardara Village area. The halo occupying an area of 180 sq km, is confined to Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate deposits, Eocene-Oligocene volcanic rocks, and Oligocene granite. Cassiterite has been identified in 38 samples (single grains to 10 or more grains in each) (43). 51/400-III Anardara Village area. (The halo occupies 250 sq km). Eocene-Oligocene volcanic rocks and Oligocene granite are exposed there. Single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite have been found in each of 39 samples (43). 54/400-III Drainage basin of the left-hand tributaries of the Tage Naomed River. The halo covering 30 sq km is restricted to Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate rock units and Eocene-Oligocene volcanics. Cassiterite has been detected in eight samples (single grains in each) with the associated secondary copper minerals (43). 55/400-III Drainage basin of the left-hand tributaries of the Rode Tage Naomed River. The halo covering 20 sq km is notable for exposures of Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate rocks that are locally overlain by Pliocene and Quaternary deposits. Single grains of cassiterite have been identified in 12 panning samples collected in the area (43). 56; 58/400-III See the section on mercury. 157

61/400-III Drainage basin of the lower reaches of the Rode Tage Naomed River (The halo is 80 sq km in area. Upper Quaternary and Recent alluvium-alluvial-fan sediments, which surround several small outcrops of Eocene-Oligocene volcanics, are exposed in the area. Cassiterite is detected in 14 samples (single grains to 10 or more grains in a sample), with the associated secondary lead minerals (43). 65/400-III Left-hand bank of the Harut Rod River. The halo occupying an area of 150 sq km is confined to Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous sequence. Cassiterite has been found, together with cinnabar, scheelite and secondary lead minerals, in 32 samples (single grains to 10 or more grains in a sample) (43). 72/400-III Interfluve of the Harut Rod and Farah Rod Rivers. Lower Cretaceous sequence is exposed within the halo whose area is 115 sq km. Cassiterite has been identified in 13 samples (single grains in each) (43). 4/400-IV See the section on mercury. 47/400-IV Rode Warkhan River drainage basin. The halo covers an area of 240 sq km being restricted to Upper Permian carbonate-terrigenous sequence invaded by an intrusion of Oligocene granitic rocks. Cassiterite has been recognized, together with cinnabar, gold, and scheelite, in 12 samples (single grains to 10 or more grains in each) (75). 48/400-IV Turkhak River drainage basin (tributary of the Helmand Rod River). Upper Permian carbonateterrigenous deposits are exposed within the halo occupying 20 sq km.. Single grains of cassiterite have been found in each of nine samples, and single colours of gold, in each of six samples (75). 51/400-IV The halo covers 535 sq km in the middle course of the Helmand Rod. River. It is localized in Upper Permian and Lower and Middle Triassic sequences. Of 60 samples, cassiterite in 36 samples (single grains to 10 or more grains in each); single grains to 10 or more grains of scheelite have been recognized in each of 31 samples; single colours of gold have been found in each of 20 samples; and single grains of cinnabar have been detected in each of nine samples (75). 102/400-IV Kadalak Village area. Silurian and Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate rocks, Eocene-Oligocene volcanics, and Oligocene granite are exposed within the halo, which is 20 sq km in area. Of 81 samples, each of 35 has yielded 10 or more grains of cassiterite, and each of 60, single grains of lead minerals (42). 42/500-I Left-hand bank of the Darra-i-Andarab River (area of the halo is 22 sq km). Extrusive rocks, shale, and granitic rocks of Late Triassic age are exposed in the area. Of six samples, each of four contains single grains of cassiterite (71). 73/500-I Jare Tirgardan River drainage basin. The halo, 303 sq km in area, is restricted to Lower Carboniferous, Triassic, and Jurassic sandstone and shale and Early and Late Triassic granitic rocks. Of 20 samples, each of 17 has yielded single grains of cassiterite (71). 123/500-I See the section on mercury. 152/500-I Helmand Rod River drainage basin. The halo covering an area of 85 sq km is localized in Proterozoic metamorphics, Eocene-Oligocene volcanics and subvolcanics, and Oligocene granitic rocks. Of 46 samples, each of 26 contains single grains of cassiterite, and 14, secondary lead minerals (75). 158/500-I Helmand Rod River drainage basin. The halo, 250 sq km in area, is limited to fault zones in Proterozoic gneiss, schist, and marble, Lower Cretaceous deposits and Oligocene granitic rocks. Of 200 samples, 100 have yielded cassiterite (single grains in a sample to 58 g/cu m) with the associated scheelite, gold, cinnabar, and secondary lead minerals (75). 184/500-I Darya-i-Jelga River drainage basin. Carboniferous-Permian and Oligocene terrigenous deposits and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite crop out within the halo whose area is 50 sq km. Of 30 samples, seven contain cassiterite in amounts ranging from single grains to 10 or more grains in each, with the associated scheelite and galena (75). 187/500-I Left bank of the Helmand Rod River. The halo covers 130 sq km being confined to Late Cretaceous-Paleocene granitic rocks and Upper Devonian, Carboniferous, Permian, and Lower and Middle

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Triassic carbonate-terrigenous units. Of 19 samples, each of eight has yielded single grains of cassiterite with the associated scheelite and secondary lead and bismuth minerals (75). 206/500-I See the section on tungsten. 210/500-I, 500-III Upper reaches of the Ghare Takht River. The 210 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Proterozoic metamorphic and granitic rocks, Early Cretaceous ultrabasics, Late Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbro-norite and Upper Permian carbonate-terrigenous deposits. Of 31 samples, 19 contain cassiterite (single grains in a sample to 5.6 g/cu m). Scheelite has been identified in all the samples (some grains in each). Also, single grains of cinnabar, gold, and galena have been detected in the samples (75). 2/500-II Garm-Chashma River drainage basin. The 100 sq km area of the halo includes exposures of Upper Triassic sequence and Proterozoic schist intruded by Oligocene granite and Early Cretaceous gabbro-diorite. Single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite have been found in each of 17 samples (39). 4/500-II Darrah-i-Tarm River drainage basin. The halo, covering 100 sq km is confined to Upper Triassic volcanic rocks invaded by Late Triassic granitic rocks. Cassiterite has been identified in 13 samples in the amounts varying between single grains in a sample and 0.2 g/cu m, bismuthinite, in 20 samples (single grains in a sample to 0.3 g/cu m), scheelite, in seven samples (single grains in a sample to 2 g/cu m), galena, in 10 samples (10 grains in a sample to 0.7 g/cu m), and uranium minerals (thorite and uranothorite), in 12 samples (71). 10/500-II Drainage basin of the right-hand tributary of the Darra-i-Andarab River. The halo is 125 sq km in area. Terrigenous and volcanic rocks of Middle-Late Triassic age and Late Triassic granite are exposed in the area. Of 70 samples, 22 contain single grains in a sample to 1g of cassiterite per cubic meter, and each of 14 shows single grains of chalcopyrite. There have also been found secondary lead minerals, scheelite, and less common cinnabar and gold (71). 13/500-II Chapdara River drainage basin. The halo occupying an area of 250 sq km is restricted to Proterozoic metamorphics, Carboniferous-Lower Permian and. Upper Triassic terrigenous rocks, and Oligocene granite and pegmatites. Cassiterite has been identified in 42 samples in the amounts varying from single grains in a sample to 3 g/cu m (39). 26/500-II Paprok River drainage basin. Proterozoic metamorphics, Upper Triassic shale, and granite and rare metal pegmatite dikes of Oligocene age occur within the halo, which is 160 sq km in area. Single grains in a sample to 20 g of cassiterite per cubic meter have been detected in 28 samples (39). 30/500-II Left-hand tributaries of the Darya-i-Panjsher River. The area of the halo covering 100 sq km, is underlain by Proterozoic gneiss and granite, Ordovician and Silurian-Devonian deposits, Early Carboniferous ultrabasic rocks, and Oligocene granite. 10 or more grains of cassiterite have been found in each of five samples (40). 37/500-II Darrahe Paron River drainage basin. The halo occupying 420 sq km is restricted to rare metal pegmatites occurring in Proterozoic metamorphic rocks, Carboniferous-Lower Permian shale, and Oligocene granite. Cassiterite, with the associated scheelite, bismuthinite, and secondary lead minerals, have been detected in 74 samples in the amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 1 g/cu m (39). 40/500-II Upper reaches of the left-hand tributary of the Darra-i-Andarab River (area of the halo is 117 sq km). There occur exposures of Proterozoic metamorphics, Middle-Upper Carboniferous and Upper Permian shales, Early Triassic granitic rocks. Of 15 samples, each of 13 has yielded single grains of cassiterite, and each of three, single grains of bismuthinite (71). 42/500-II Left-hand bank of the Darra-i-Andarab River. The halo covering 75 sq km, is restricted to Early Triassic granitic rocks and Proterozoic gneiss and schist. Of 52 samples, each of 28 contains single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite (69). 52/500-II Kamdesh River drainage basin. Proterozoic gneiss and marble, Upper Triassic shale, and Oligocene granite are exposed within the limits of the halo whose area is 120 sq.km. Single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite have been identified in each of 18 samples (39).

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58/500-II Drainage basin of the right-hand tributary of the Darya-i-Panjsher River. The halo of 240 sq km is localized in Proterozoic metamorphic rocks, Ordovician and Upper Triassic sandy-shaly rocks, and SilurianDevonian limestone and sandstone, intruded by Early Triassic granite. Of 27 samples, 21 contain cassiterite, with the associated galena and scheelite, in the amounts varying between single grains in a sample and 3.3 g of cassiterite per cubic meter (71). 61/500-II Darrahe Kantiwa River drainage basin. Proterozoic metamorphics, granitic rocks, and pegmatites of Oligocene age are exposed within the halo whose area is 155 sq km. Cassiterite, with the associated scheelite, bismuthinite, and orthite has been found in each sample taken in the amounts varying between single grains and 10 or more grains (69). 73/500-II Waygal Dara River drainage basin. The halo of 340 sq km includes exposures of Proterozoic metamorphics, Upper Triassic shale, granite and rare metal pegmatite dikes of Oligocene age. Cassiterite has been detected in 78 samples (single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m), with the associated scheelite, bismuthinite, more seldom monazite, orthite, and secondary lead minerals (69). 82/500-II Right-hand bank of the Konar River (area of the halo is 45 sq km). Proterozoic gneiss-quartzite units, Lower Carboniferous sandy-shaly deposits, and Oligocene granite are exposed in the area. Single grains of cassiterite have been identified in each of eight samples (39). 87/500-II Nilaw River drainage basin. The halo covering 155 sq km is related to rare metal pegmatites localized in Early Cretaceous diorite, and also in Proterozoic rocks and Oligocene granite. Cassiterite has been found in eight samples (single grains in each) (109). 89/500-II Lower reaches of the Kalatan Darrah River. The halo, an area of 150 sq km, is limited to rare metal pegmatites in the roof of an intrusion of Oligocene granite. Single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite have been identified in each of 27 samples (39). 100/500-II Gorband Rod River drainage basin. The halo, 47 sq km in area, is restricted to Proterozoic, Ordovician, Silurian-Devonian, and Pliocene sequences, and Early Triassic granite. Of eight samples, each of five have yielded cassiterite. Scheelite, with the associated gold and galena, has been found in all the samples in the amounts ranging from 10 grains in a sample to 5.7 g/cu m (71). 101/500-II Middle course of the Dry Alingar River. The 170 sq km area of the halo includes exposures of Proterozoic metamorphics, Upper Permian and Upper Triassic rocks, Oligocene granite, and rare metal pegmatite dikes. Cassiterite, with the associated scheelite and bismuthinite, has been detected in 36 samples in the amounts varying between single grains in a sample to 3 g/cu m (39). 105/500-I Upper reaches of the Darae Alisang River. The halo occupying 80 sq km as localized in Proterozoic rocks and Upper Triassic terrigenous deposits intruded by Oligocene granite and pegmatite dikes. Of 20 samples, each of 16 contains single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite with the associated scheelite (42). 115/500-II Middle part of the Darrahe Pech Valley (area of the halo is 90 sq km). Proterozoic metamorphics, Oligocene granite, early Cretaceous diorite, and rare metal pegmatite dikes are distributed in the area. Of 120 samples, one contains 700 g of cassiterite per cubic meter; eight, 100 to 500 g/cu m; 34, 10 to 60 g/cu m; and 59, single grains to 10 or more grains in each. The cassiterite occurs together with tantaloniobates, which have been found in four samples (40 to 150 g/cu m) and three samples (single grains in each). Some samples have yielded spodumene beryl, secondary lead and copper minerals, scheelite, monazite, and orthite (69). 120/500-II Drainage basin of the left-hand tributaries of the Dry Alingar River. The halo, 120 sq km in area, is restricted to Oligocene granite and a quartzite-shale sequence of Late Triassic age. Single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite have been identified in each of 17 samples (39). 121/500-II Upper reaches of the Tagab River. Proterozoic metamorphics and granite, Upper Triassic deposits, and Oligocene granite are exposed within the halo, whose area is 240 sq km. Of 65 samples, 61 have yielded cassiterite (single grains in a sample to 21 g/cu m) and scheelite (single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m), with the associated secondary lead minerals, gold, bismuthinite, uranothorite, monazite, and xenotime (39).

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133/500-II The halo confined to right-hand tributary of the Konar River is 140 sq km in area. Schist and gneiss strata of Proterozoic age, Carboniferous-Lower Permian sandstone and shale, Lower Cretaceous diorite, and Oligocene granitic rocks are exposed there. Of 20 samples, each of 13 contain single grains of cassiterite, and all the samples have yielded from single grains in a sample to 0.2 g of scheelite per cubic meter (39). 135/500-I Sonar River drainage basin. The 320 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Proterozoic metamorphics, Carboniferous-Lower Permian terrigenous-carbonate rocks, Lower Cretaceous diorite, and Oligocene granite. Cassiterite has been identified in 33 samples, and scheelite, in 14 samples (single grains to 10 or more grains in each) (39). 136/500-II Right-hand bank of the Dry Alangar River. The halo, 250 sq km in area, is confined to Proterozoic metamorphics, Pliocene deposits, granitic rocks, and rare metal pegmatites of Oligocene age. Of 115 samples, cassiterite has been found in 88 samples (single grains in a sample to 20-40 g/cu m); and scheelite, in 69 samples (single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m (up to 20-40 g/cu m in single samples). There have also been found secondary lead minerals (up to 20-30 g/cu m), zircon, monazite, xenotime, and, in single samples, 10 or more grains of gold and tantalite-columbite in a sample (69). 150/500-I Right-hand bank of the Kabul River. The halo covering an area of 300 sq km includes limestone, sandstone, and conglomerate of Eocene and Oligocene age, and Proterozoic metamorphics and granite. Of 85 samples, each of 57 has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of scheelite and cassiterite, and each of 16, ten or more gold colours (39). 157/500-II Left-hand bank of the Kabul River. The halo, 90 sq km in area, includes exposures of Proterozoic metamorphic rocks and Pliocene deposits; pegmatite dikes have been found. Of 17 samples, each of 14 contains single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite, and each of four, single grains of scheelite (39). 161/500-II Right-hand bank of the Kabul River. The halo occupying an area of 110 sq km is localized in Proterozoic metamorphics, Silurian-Devonian and Pliocene sedimentary rocks and granite enclosing pegmatite dikes of Oligocene age. Single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite have been identified in. each of the 19 samples. Five of the samples contain scheelite and two samples contain single colours of gold (39). 2/500-III, 500-I Safedat River drainage basin. The halo, 850 sq km in area, is restricted to Oligocene granite and Proterozoic, Permian-Carboniferous, and Triassic strata. Of 190 samples, 40 have single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite each and 40, single grains in a sample to 5 g of scheelite per cubic meter (75). 8/500-III Upper reaches of the left-hand tributary of the Sekhmiran Rod River. The halo, covering an area of 70 sq km, is restricted to the Helmand Fault Zone which has brought to the surface Proterozoic, Upper Jurassic, and Lower Cretaceous rocks. Of seven samples, each of five contains 10 or more grains of cassiterite with the associated scheelite, galena, and gold (75). 14/500-III Shekhristan Village area. Proterozoic schist and plagiogranite, Carboniferous and Permian deposits and Oligocene granite, are exposed within the halo, which occupies 275 sq km. Of 198 samples, 126 contain cassiterite (single grains in a sample to 5 g /cu m, rarely up to 50 g/cu m); 160 scheelite (single grains in a sample to 2 g/cu m, rarely up to 40 g/cu m); and some samples, secondary lead and copper minerals, galena, cinnabar, gold, monazite, and bismuthinite (75). 33/500-III Shekhristan Village area. The halo occupies 340 sq km being confined to Proterozoic metamorphic rocks, Permian-Carboniferous deposits, and Oligocene granite. Of 50 samples, 29 contain cassiterite in the amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m; 28, scheelite, from 10 grains in a sample to 5 9/cu m; each of 20, single colours of gold; and 18, some cinnabar and secondary lead minerals (75). 62/500-III See the section on gold. 75/500-III Upper reaches of the left-hand tributary of the Darahe Shugla River. The halo, covering an area of 10 sq km, is related to skarned rocks of Carboniferous-Permian age, stocks of Oligocene granitic rocks, and Quaternary volcanics. Single grains of cassiterite have been detected in each of 15 samples (42).

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82/500-III Drainage basin of the left-hand tributaries of the Darahe Shugla and Argandab Rod rivers. The halo covering 9 sq km occurs in Carboniferous-Permian deposits. Single grains of cassiterite have been identified in each of eight samples (42). 105/500-III Upper reaches of the Argandab Rod River (area of the halo is 30 sq km). Early Cretaceous gabbro-diorite and Oligocene granite are exposed there. Cassiterite, with the associated bismuthinite, has been detected in 19 samples (single grains in each) (42). 116/500-III Upper reaches of the Tarnak Rod River. The halo, 90 sq km in area, is outlined in Triassic, Upper Jurassic, and Lower Cretaceous rock units and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite. Of 140 samples, 78 contain single grains in a sample to 10 g of cassiterite per cubic meter, with the associated scheelite, vanadinite, gold, and cinnabar (89). 175/500-III Argandab Rod River drainage basin. The halo covers an area of 350 sq km. Oligocene granite, Proterozoic metamorphics, and Cambrian, Ordovician-Silurian, and Devonian terrigenous-carbonate rocks are exposed there. 1,111 samples have been taken, containing the following minerals: cassiterite, 150 to 200 g/cu m (three samples), 10 to 80 g/cu m (23 samples), and single grains in a sample to 10 g/cu m (768 samples); wolframite, single grains in a sample to 52 g/cu m (187 samples); scheelite, 100 to 462 g/cu m (three samples), 0.1 to 20 g/cu m (340 samples), and single grains to 10 or more grains in a sample (592 samples). There have also been identified some tantalite-columbite, samarskite, galena, cerussite, pyromorphite, vanadinite, anglesite, wolfenite, chalcopyrite, malachite, molybdenite, bismuthinite, cinnabar, gold, beryl, uraninite, thorite, monazite, xenotime and orthite (108). 11/600-II Argnadab Rod River drainage basin. The halo, 15 sq km in area, is localized in Proterozoic schist, Lower Cretaceous carbonate and ultrabasic rocks as wall as Oligocene granites. Of 11 samples, each of 10 has yielded single grains of cassiterite, with the associated secondary lead minerals (42). 1/600-IV Lower courses of the Shela-i-Arbu, Barsunki Jar, and Shela-i-Golom valleys. The halo, covering an area of 60 sq km, is restricted to Pliocene sandstone and Middle Quaternary sediments. Single grains of cassiterite have been found in each of 10 samples (130). 2/600-IV Lower courses of the Petachi Mandeh, Robot Mandeh, and Surh Reg Mandeh Valleys. Sandstone, conglomerate, and. Quaternary sediments are exposed within the halo, 260 sq km in area. Cassiterite has been identified in 14 samples in the amounts ranging from single grains to 10 or more grains in each sample (130). 8/600-IV Valleys of the left-hand tributaries of the Dor Mandeh River and the upper reaches of the Marco Mandeh River. The halo, occupying an area of 260 sq km, is localized in Pliocene terrigenous sequence. Cassiterite has been detected in 10 samples (single grains in each) (130). 14/600-IV See the section on lead and zinc. 4/700-I Khayak Village area. Lower Cretaceous diorite and Oligocene granitic rocks are exposed within the halo occupying 16 sq km.. Each of all the 25 samples taken contain single grains to 10 or more grains of cassiterite (42). 16/700-I Spin Boldak Village area. The halo, 150 sq km, is localized in Upper Quaternary-Recent sediments which are seen in exposures to lie above Upper Cretaceous terrigenous-volcanic rocks, Pliocene terrigenous rocks, and Oligocene granite. Single grains of cassiterite have been identified in each of four samples (86). 18/700-I Duri Rod River drainage basin. The halo, 600 sq km in area, embraces Oligocene granite, Cretaceous terrigenous-volcanic and carbonate strata, and Quaternary sediments. Single grains of cassiterite have been found in each of 22 samples, with the associated scheelite whose content in one sample is reported to be 125 g/cu m (86). 24/700-I Darya-i-Jale Wasta River drainage basin. The area of the halo, which occupies more than 1,000 sq km, is underlain by Lower Cretaceous and Eocene-Oligocene volcanics, Early Cretaceous diorite, and Oligocene granitic rocks extensively overlain by Quaternary sediments. Single grains to 10 or more grains

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have been detected in each of 62 samples, with the associated scheelite, cinnabar, and secondary lead and copper minerals (86).

Bismuth 16/300-III See the section on tin 11; 44/400-III See the section on copper (11, Podar) and tin (44, Shand). 88/400-IV Gbargei, see the section on copper. 130; 143; 149/500-III See the sections on tungsten (130, Kochak; 149, Oruzgan) and copper (143, Kohe Sokhi). 150/500-III Qarya-i-Baki, Ghazni Province, 3255'30"N, 6652'30"E. The metallization is related to a zone of shattered and silicified rocks, 10 to 40 m wide and 700 m long, which has been found at the contact between Oligocene granitic rocks and Upper Permian limestone. There can be observed scattered grains, nests, and veinlets of pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, sphalerite, and magnetite. The metallized material contains 0.05 to 0.56% bismuth, up to 1% copper, and up to 0.1% tungsten (42). 210/500-III Exposure 914, see the section on copper. Showings 32; 68; 153/500-III See the sections on tin (32,68) and copper (153). Mechanical Mineralogical Haloes 4/200-IV See the section on gold. 18/200-IV Upper reaches of the Darra-i-Krunj-Darrah River. The halo, covering an area of 155 sq km, is restricted to Upper Triassic-Middle Jurassic shale and Oligocene granitic rocks. Of 42 samples, each of 23 have yielded single grains of bismuthinite (41). 21, 52/200-IV See the section on gold. 59/200-IV Upper reaches of the Sush Darra River (area of the halo is 60 sq km). Proterozoic, Lower Carboniferous, and Triassic-Jurassic formations, as well as Early Triassic granitic rocks are exposed there. Of 91 samples, each of 35 contain single grains of bismuthinite (133). 149/200-IV Right-hand tributaries of the Darrah-i-Emond River. The halo, covering an area of 40 sq km, is related to quartz-mica schist and gneiss of Proterozoic age and Early Triassic granite. Of 32 samples, each of 21 have yielded single grains of bismuthinite and bismuthite (81). 5, 13/300-III See the section on tin. 15/300-III Darya-i-Alisu River drainage basin. The halo, 250 sq km in area, is localized in Early Cretaceous granite and Carboniferous-Lower Permian terrigenous rocks cut across by a series of faults. Bismuthinite has been identified in 34 samples (single grains to 10 or more grains), with the associated scheelite, galena, and less common cassiterite (73). 47/400-III Khushor Village area, left-hand bank of the Harut Rod River. Lower Cretaceous rock unit and Oligocene granite are exposed within the halo, covering an area of 174 sq km. Bismuthinite has been detected in 16 samples (single grains in a sample to 0.15 g/cu m), and scheelite, in 19 samples (single grains in a sample and more rarely from 0.15 to 0.6 g/cu m) (43). 95/400-III See the section on lead and zinc. 70/500-I Darrah-Angraf River drainage basin. The halo, 112sq km in area, is restricted to Ordovician shale, Lower Carboniferous volcanics, Lower Permian limestone, and Early and Late Triassic granitic rocks. Of 12

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samples, nine contain single grains to 10 or more grains of bismuthinite with the associated scheelite, galena, and gold (71). 96/500-I Right side of the Sayghan Valley. The 55 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Late Triassic granitic and volcanic rocks and Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene limestone and sandstone. Of nine samples, each of four have yielded single grains of bismuthinite with the associated galena and scheelite (71). 126/500-I,500-II Badel Village Area. The halo occupies 150 sq km where Proterozoic granitic rocks and metamorphics and Early Cretaceous diorite are exposed. Of 37 samples, each of nine contain single grains of bismuthinite, eight samples contain lead minerals, and six, scheelite (44). 1/500-II Upper reaches of the Darya-i-Kokcha River and the right-hand bank of the Tagabe Munjan (Kokcha) River. The halo, covering an area of 130 sq km, is confined to Oligocene granitic rocks and Upper Permian-Upper Triassic limestone and terrigenous rocks. Of 20 samples, eight contain bismuthite, with the associated cassiterite and galena, in the amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 0.52 g/cu m (40). 4; 32/500-II See the section on tin (4) and gold (32). 67/500-II Right-hand bank of the Darya-i-Panjsher River. The halo covers 150 sq km. Its area is underlain by Proterozoic granite and metamorphic rocks, Ordovician and Silurian-Devonian deposits, and Oligocene granitic rocks. Of 22 samples, 10 contain single grains to 10 or more of bismuthinite with the associated scheelite and galena (71). 3/500-III See the section on tungsten. 97/500-III Upper reaches of the Dahane Dora and Shela-i-Chehel-baghtay rivers. The halo is 8 sq km in area. Lower-Middle Devonian strata and Oligocene granite are exposed there. Of nine samples, four have shown 10 or more grains of bismuthite and bismuthinite (42). 124/500-III See the section on tungsten. 127/500-III Left-hand bank of the Tirin Rod River. Triassic sequence and Oligocene granite are exposed within the halo whose area is 4 sq km. Of 20 samples, four have yielded 0.6 to 1 g of combined bismuthinite and. bismuthite per cubic meter (42). 144/500-III Upper reaches of the Tanghali River. The halo, 60 sq km in area, is restricted to Oligocene granite. Of 91 samples, 29 contain between 0.5 and 10 g of combined bismuthinite and bismuthite per cubic meter (42).

Arsenic Occurrences 24/300-III Bay Qara, see the section on copper. 73/400-II Shekhlawast, see the section on lead and zinc.

Antimony Occurrences 73/400-II Shekhlawast, see the section on lead and zinc. Mechanical Mineralogical Haloes 49/400-IV See the section on mercury

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Mercury Occurrences 32/400-I Nayak, Herat Province, 3426'N, 6227'E. Within the occurrence, disseminated cinnabar has been found in a sequence of sandstone and conglomerate, 30 to 35 m thick and in thin zones of hydrothermally altered rocks in Neocene volcanics. The metallized areas are from 0.2 to 1 x 1 to 6 m in size. The mercury content is first few hundredth fractions of one percent, amounting, in few cases, to 0.16%. In addition, conglomerate has low-grade copper mineralization within two zones, 1,5 and 3.0 m wide and 15 and 25 m long containing on the average 0.80 and 0.43% copper, respectively (84). 77/400-II Tilak, Ghor Province, 3414'24''N, 6406'30"E.The metallization occurs in zones of carbonatized and dickitized sandstone and siltstone of Oligocene age which extend for 450 m and range in width from 0.1 to 4 m. The metallized material assayed as much as 0.06% mercury, and, in few cases, 0.13% mercury (84). 48/400-III Zarmardan, Farah Province, 3257'N, 6244'E. Mercury mineralization has been distinguished as finely scattered grains and films of cinnabar in Paleogene terrigenous-volcanic sequence and intermediate subvolcanic bodies. The metallized zone is related to small patches of brecciated and hydrothermally altered rocks and to quartz-carbonate and carbonate veins. Mercury content varies between 0.03 and 0.05% (93). 3/400-IV Khanjar, Oruzgan Province, 3357'12''N, 6523'50''E. A zone of brecciated and hydrothermally altered rocks accompanies faults in Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate sequence. The width of the zone ranges from 2 to 4 m and its length is more than 1 km. The cinnabar mineralization is confined to shattered calcareous sandstone with widespread fault gouge, nests, and veinlets of dickite, calcite, and limonite. Three ore bodies range in thickness from 1.0 to 4.2 m and in length from 10 to 30 m, averaging 0.35 to 0.96% mercury (84). 10/400-IV Darwaza, Oruzgan Province, 3354'34''N, 6558'40"E. A series of red terrigenous rocks of Early Cretaceous age, up to 100 m thick, squeezed tectonically into Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous volcanicsedimentary units, encloses a zone of brecciated and hydrothermally altered rocks with mercury metallization. The zone varies in width between 2 and 10 m (up to 35 m in swells) and extends for 860 m. The mercury content is as high as 0.34% (84). 14/400-IV Alibali II, Oruzgan Province, 3351'50''N, 6513'20''E. Lower Cretaceous deposits are faulted and intruded by diorite porphyrite dikes. Mercury metallization occurs in sandstone beds, where cinnabar occurs as fine to dust size particles scattered over the rock. The mineralized zone is more than 1 km long and ranges in width from 0.1 to 0.25 km. The thickness of some metal bearing sandstone beds varies between 0.05 and 0.2 m, with the grade amounting to 0.1% (117). 15/400-IV Gulgadam, Oruzgan Province, 3351'26"N, 6511'50''E. Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous rocks underwent shattering and were invaded by diorite porphyrite dikes. Mercury mineralization has manifested itself as thin veinlets and films in fractures or lean dissemination in siltstone breccia and calcite veinlets. It is localized in two zones of severely shattered and hydrothermally altered rocks of which one, 150 m long and between 5 and 6 m wide in the middle, assays to 0.014% mercury. The other zone, traced for 170 m under 3 to 8 m width assayed up to 0.01% mercury (117). 16/400-IV Alibali I, Oruzgan Province, 3351'26''N, 6513'52''E. Two zones affected by observable cinnabar mineralization have been distinguished in Lower Cretaceous carbonate sequence cut by a series of faults. One of the zones extends for 530 m, averaging 5.4 m in width and containing as much as 0.34% mercury (0.015% on the average). In this zone the visible mercury mineralization has manifested itself as finely scattered grains and small nests and veinlets of cinnabar, 1 to 2 mm wide, less commonly 4 mm wide. The other zone, 250 m long and 5.3 m wide on the average, assayed up to 1.56% (0.05% on the average) mercury. The visible mercury mineralization has involved the south-west side of the zone, being represented by up to 4 mm wide veinlets of fine-crystalline cinnabar. The following maximum contents have also been determined there: 0.01% tin, 0.1% copper, 0.1% lead, 0.2% zinc, and 0.3% arsenic. (117). 19/400-IV Sahebdat, Oruzgan Province, 3347'57"N, 6505'30''E. In fault zones, Lower Cretaceous limestone-terrigenous sequence is dickitized and carbonatized and contains less cinnabar dissemination. An enriched, 10 to 20 x 160 m in size, area has been distinguished there. In the area cinnabar occurs as veinlets and nests averaging 0.06% at a 19 m interval (99). 165

20/400-IV Kalat, Oruzgan Province, 3347'21"N, 6505'27''E. The mineralization occurs in four (I, II, III, and IV) en echelon zones of shattered Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous sequence intruded by fairly common diorite porphyrite dikes. The mineralized parts in the zones extend for 145 to 300 m, their thickness ranging from 3 to 22 m. The metal-bearing zones and ore bodies consist of hydrothermally altered siltstone and diorite porphyrite transformed into dickite-carbonate and quartz-carbonate-dickite metasomatic rock with disseminations and veinlets of cinnabar, pyrite and less common arsenopyrite and realgar. Among gangue minerals, dickite, barite, calcite, and gypsum have been noted to occur as veinlets and nests. The mercury content varies between 0.001 and 0.44%. Three ore bodies have been distinguished in Zones I and III. Their lengths are 45, 60, and 90 m average widths 1.7, 2, and 2.9 m, and average mercury contents 0.38%, 0.16%, and 0.1%, respectively (117). 25/400-IV Pasaband, Ghor Province, 3340'40''N, 6451'E. Lower Cretaceous deposits are densely faulted and invaded by diorite porphyrite dikes. Mercury mineralization has involved zones of hornfelsed, dickitized, and carbonatized breccia, 3 to 8 m wide and 400 m long. It is lean, being represented by fine disseminations, nests, and veinlets of cinnabar. Realgar and native copper are also present. The mercury content does nor exceed hundredth fractions of one percent (112). 31/400-IV Sebak, Ghor Province, 3330'03"N, 6440'30"E. Mercury metallization has involved a zone, 0.4 km wide of shattered, carbonatized, and dickitized Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate rocks and dikes of altered porphyrite. Cinnabar is distributed extremely irregularly as scattered particles and veinlets, with the mercury content not exceeding 0.08% (85). 32/400-IV Surkhnawe, Ghor Province, 3328'26''N, 6441'15''E. The occurrence is restricted to a fault zone, 100 to 400 m wide and over 2.0 km in strike length, in which Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous rocks are carbonatized, dickitized, and limonitized. Disseminated mercury mineralization has been found in three segments of heavily altered rocks (up to 0.01 sq km in area). The mercury content amounts to 0.25% (85). 33/400-IV Sharnak, Ghor Province, 3327'30''N, 6431'42''E. The occurrence is localized in stock-shaped subvolcanic body, 100 to 170 x 500 m in size, which invades Lower Cretaceous calcareous siltstone. The rocks have undergone substantial autometasomatic changes to form a carbonate-dickite metasomatic variety variously enriched by iron hydroxides. The metallization has involved three zones varying in length between 140 and 180 m and in width between 1 and 24 m. The zones occur mainly in the carbonate-dickite metasomatic rock and, more rarely, in the enclosing calcareous siltstone, which is brecciated, dickitized, and carbonatized. The zones are mineralized nearly continuously, though unevenly. The mercury content ranges from thousandth fractions of one percent to 3.2%. A number of mineralized bodies have been found within the zones. They vary in width between 1 and 5 m and in length between 20 and 100 m, their average mercury contents ranging from 0.1 to 0.63%. The metasomatic rock between the above zones, is also widely mineralized, where several 1 m intervals have been recognized containing 0.12 to 0.40% mercury (85). 34/400-IV Khatif, Ghor Province, 3327'25''N, 6438'04''E. Zones of heavily fractured, calcitized, and dickitized rock have been distinguished in Lower Cretaceous sequence. The width of the zones varies between 10 and 20 m, and their length, between 100 and 150 m. One of the zones encloses mineralized veinlets, up to 1.5 cm in thickness, having finely and sparingly disseminated grains of cinnabar. The mercury content does not exceed 0.86%. A mineralized segment has been found, 43 m long and averaging 1 m in thickness, its mercury content averaging 0.51% (85). 35/400-IV Duwalak, Ghor Province, 3327'22''N, 6438'45''E. The mineralization occurs in dickitized, carbonatized, and limonitized carbonate-terrigenous rocks of Early cretaceous age. Two mineralized zones have been distinguished, the Eastern and Western. The Eastern Zone ranges in width from 10 to 30 m and extends for 1 km; the western Zone varies in width between 75 and 160 m and is 750 m long. The former zone contains up to 2-6% mercury and the latter, up to 0.07% mercury in few samples (0.1 - 0.14%). Three mineralized bodies, 4 to 6 m thick and 40 to 140 m long, averaging 0.2 to 0.72% mercury, have been recognized in the Eastern zone (85). 36/400-IV Panjshakh, Ghor Province, 3327'N, 6419'E. The occurrence is confined to Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate sequence invaded by diorite porphyrite dikes. The rocks are dickitized and carbonatized. Sparingly disseminated mercury metallization has been noted to occur in areas of the most

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heavily altered rocks. The mercury content varies between thousandth fractions of one percent and 0.05% (91). 37/400-IV Kohe Satif, Ghor Province, 3326'32"N, 6438'10''E. Lean cinnabar disseminations have been identified over an area of 1,000 sq km in dickitized and carbonatized siltstone of Early Cretaceous age. The mercury content amounts to 0.08% (85). 38/400-IV Mollayan, Ghor Province, 3326'N, 6422'E, Two areas of quartz-dickite metasomatic rocks have been found in fault zones cutting Lower Cretaceous siltstone and limestone, near stocks and dikes of diorite porphyrite. Minute veinlets and disseminations of cinnabar are observed in one of them, 3.5 x 2.0 m in size, with the mercury content between 0.01 and 0.1%. The other zone, having no visible mineralization, as wide as 9 m and 200 m long, assays up to 0.09% mercury (112). 40/400-IV Kwazem, Ghor Province, 3325'05''N, 6437'14''E. Lean cinnabar disseminations can be observed in five areas, 1x3 - 5 to 20 x 100 m in size, in brecciated, carbonatized, and dickitized carbonate-terrigenous rocks of Early Cretaceous age. The mercury content reaches 0.07% (85). 43/400-IV Pushwara, Ghor Province, 3320'N, 6433'E. A fault zone accompanied by a swarm of substantially altered porphyrite dikes of Miocene age, up to 0.7 km wide, was traced in Lower Cretaceous siltstone and sandstone. Mercury mineralization in the form of veinlets and disseminations of cinnabar in altered porphyrite and dickitized and carbonatized siltstone is established over an area of 1.5 sq km (85). 53/400-IV Mushkan, Farah Province, 3257'N, 6353'E. Scarce cinnabar disseminations have been identified in hydrothermally altered deposits of Early Cretaceous age at their contact with diorite porphyrite dikes in a zone 1 m wide and 120 m long. The mercury content is thousandth fraction, in few cases hundredth fractions, of one percent (93). 54/400-IV Duoba, Farah Province, 3256'45"N, 6350'50"E. Mercury mineralization occurs in hydrothermally altered carbonate rocks of Early Cretaceous age in the contact zones between these and diorite porphyrite dikes. Cinnabar also occurs as veinlets and fine disseminations. The metallized zones, 0.5 to 1 m wide and up to 160 m long, contain thousandth fractions of one percent mercury (93). 56/400-IV Chashnak, Farah Province, 3255'35''N, 6337'15"E. Mercury metallization is traced in quartzcarbonate stringers and thin zones of hydrothermally altered rocks within Eocene-Oligocene terrigenousvolcanic sequence near the contacts of intermediate and basic dikes. The mercury content is thousandth, seldom first few tenth fractions of one percent (93). 191/500-I Solgkhoi, Bagyan Province, 3415'54"N, 6653'00''E. Mercury mineralization is restricted to a 300 x 500 m fault-bounded block built up of small-pebble conglomerate of Early Cretaceous age. The ore minerals are cinnabar and less common meta-cinnabarite. The metallized material grades up to 0.7% mercury (84). 211/500-I Gardesh, Oruzgan Province, 3406'N, 6619'E. The mineralized material is localized in thin (not more than 1 mm wide) veinlets and constitutes films and scattered particles in limestone lenses and in dickitized sandstone and siltstone of Early Cretaceous age. The mercury content does not exceed first few hundredth fractions of one percent (93). 216/500-I Surkhjoi, Oruzgan Province, 3402'30''N, 66'16'24"E. Within the occurrence, 350 x 400 m in size, exposed are red-coloured rocks of Early Cretaceous age. There are 12 zones of bleached rocks ranging in width from 0.3 to 8 m and in length from several meters to 50 m, less commonly to 100 -120 m. The zones are characterized by scarcely disseminated cinnabar whose content does not exceed first few hundredth fractions of one percent mercury (93). 27/500-III Awlamqul, Oruzgan Province, 3352'N, 6600'E. Limestone lenses with scarcely disseminated cinnabar are observed in Lower Cretaceous sequence. The mercury content does not exceed first few hundredth fractions of one percent (93). Showings 41/400-IV Ghor Province, 3325'N, 6420'E. Terrigenous and terrigenous-carbonate rocks of Early Cretaceous age enclose numerous dikes of diorite and andesite porphyrites with zones of carbonate-dickite 167

metasomatic rocks varying in width between 2 and 8 m and in length between 25 and 60 m Cinnabar has been identified in mortared assays of metasomatic rock, with the mercury content as high as 0.005% (112). 196/500-I Sewak, Bamyan Province, 3414'15"N, 6652'33"E. A 70 x 150 m area of brecciated, hematitized, and fractured rock is traced in Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous limestone. Single grains in a sample to 0,1 g of cinnabar per cubic meter has been found in mortared assays from this area, with the mercury content as high as 0.029 (84). 6/500-III Oruzgan Province, 3359'N, 6636'E. A zone of carbonatized and limonitized breccia, 30 cm wide and 100 m long, has been distinguished in Proterozoic metamorphics, Cinnabar has been identified in mortar assays (69). Mechanical Mineralogical Haloes 18/200-II Drainage basins of the Ghumay and Begaw rivers halo, 35 sq km in area, is restricted to fault zones in the Cambrian limestone and shale, Ordovician and Upper Triassic shales, and Lower Cretaceous sandstone. Single grains of cinnabar have been identified in each of six samples (129). 19/200-III, 500-I Interfluve of the Khulm and Darya-i-Pule Khumri rivers. The 1,000 sq km area of the halo is underlain by conglomerates and sandstones of Miocene and Early Quaternary age, which are seen in exposures to rest on Ordovician sandy-shaly and Upper Jurassic and Cretaceous-Paleocene terrigenouscarbonate deposits. Of 122 samples, 78 contain single grains in a sample to 0.3 g of cinnabar per cubic meter, and 59, single grains in a sample to 7 g of galena, cerussite, and pyromorphite per cubic meter (129). 20/200-III. 500-I Upper reaches of the Shar-Aba River and the left hand bank of the Darya Balkhob River. Within the halo, more than 1,500 sq km in area, Cretaceous carbonates and Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary terrigenous rock units are exposed. Of 256 samples, 119 contain single grains to weighable amounts of cinnabar, and 111, single grains in a sample to 0.3 g of galena, cerussite, and pyromorphite per cubic meter (129). 22/200-III See the section on lead and zinc. 19/200-IV Drainage basins of the Darrah-Golom and Safar Darrah Rivers. The halo, covering an area of 15 sq km, is localized in a fault zone that brings into contact Proterozoic rocks and Upper Triassic, Jurassic, and Middle-Upper Paleogene deposits. Each of all the five samples taken contains single grains of cinnabar (129). 39/200-IV Upper reaches of the Hasar River. The halo, 15 sq km in area, embraces coarse terrigenous deposits of Miocene age and Lower Quaternary gravels. Of 250 samples, 86 have shown from single grains in a sample to 0.75 g of cinnabar per cubic meter. The cinnabar is associated with single grains of cassiterite, gold, scheelite, galena, and cerussite (93). 42/200-IV Left-hand tributary of the Ragh River. The halo, occupying an area of 13 sq km, is restricted to a fault zone in Proterozoic metamorphics and Lower Carboniferous volcanics. Of eight samples, each of seven contains single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar (72). 43/200-IV Drainage basin of the upper reaches of the Turghan River. Proterozoic and Upper Triassic-Middle Jurassic deposits are exposed within the halo, which is 32 sq km in area. Of 48 samples, 17 have yielded single grains to weighable amounts of cinnabar (129). 44/200-IV Drainage basin of the right-hand tributary of the Duzakh Darah River. The halo, covering an area of 8 sq km, is restricted to a series of faults in Cambrian, Upper Devonian-Lower Carboniferous, and Upper Triassic sequences. Single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar have been identified in each of four samples (129). 47/200-IV See the section on tin. 50/200-IV Right-hand bank of the Pash Darrah River. Pliocene sandstone and conglomerate cut by a series of faults are exposed within the halo, which is 70 sq km in area. Of nine samples, seven contain cinnabar (single grains in a sample to 0.3 g/cu m) with the associated gold, cassiterite, and galena (72).

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57/200-IV Right-hand tributary of the Darya-i-Yaftal River. The halo, covering an area of 20 sq km, is confined to a fault zone in Early Triassic granitic rocks. Of 10 samples, each of nine has shown single grains of cinnabar (72). 68/200-IV Right side of the Pash Darrah Valley. The halo, 25 sq km in area, occurs in Pliocene sandstone and conglomerate. Of five samples, each of four has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar with the associated gold, galena, and cassiterite (72). 71/200-IV Left-hand bank of the Darya-i-Kokcha River. The halo, 9 sq km in area, is restricted to fault zones in Lower Carboniferous shale and plagiogranite. Of 10 samples, each of six has yielded single grains of cinnabar (72). 87/200-IV Interfluve of the Darrahe-i-Teshken and Darrahem Rivers. Proterozoic schist and migmatite and Oligocene conglomerate are exposed within the halo whose area is 140 sq km. Of 28 samples, each of 19 has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar with the associated scheelite and more seldom galena and gold (72). 90/200-IV Upper reaches of the Darrahem River and the drainage basin of its tributaries, Sehdara and Womshian. The halo, 200 sq km in area, is localized in fault zones within Proterozoic schist and gneiss invaded by Early Triassic granitic rocks. Of 38 samples, 20 contain cinnabar (single grains in a sample) with the associated scheelite and gold (72). 120/200-IV Middle course of the Rode Namakab River. The halo covers 22 sq km where upper TriassicJurassic volcanic-sedimentary formations are exposed. Cinnabar has been identified in eight samples in the amounts ranging from single grains to 10 or more grains in a sample (103). 20/400-I See the section on tungsten. 37/400-I Right side of the Hari Rod Valley. Lower Carboniferous, Lower Triassic, and Eocene rock units crop out within the halo whose area is 30 sq km. Single grains to 10 or more grains of Cinnabar have been detected in each of 17 samples, with the associated barite and more seldom galena, cerussite, scheelite, thorite, and orthite (10). 40; 42/400 See the section on tin (40) and tungsten (42). 43/400-I Herat City area. The halo, which occupies 40 sq km, is associated with Upper Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, Pliocene and Quaternary sequences. Cinnabar have been found in 31 samples (10 grains in a sample to 0.4 g/cu m) with the associated secondary lead minerals (43). 44/400-I See the section on lead and zinc. 47/400-Herat City area. The halo covering 120 sq km is notable for exposures of Jurassic, Upper Cretaceous and Pliocene rock units. Cinnabar has been identified in 16 panning samples (single grains in each) with associated galena, scheelite, and barite (43). 6/400-II Qaysar Village area. The halo, 360 sq km in area, is limited to a fault zone where exposures are present of Middle-Upper Carboniferous, Upper Permian, and, Middle-Upper Triassic rocks. Quaternary deposits are widespread in the northern sector of the halo. Of 50 samples, each of 15 has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar, together with some gold and secondary lead minerals (44). 20/400-II Lower reaches of the Chaya and Dr. Sartar Rivers. Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene deposits have been exposed within the halo whose area is 300 sq km. Single grains of cinnabar have been found in each of 19 samples out of 47. Single grains to 10 or more grains of lead minerals have been identified in each of 24 samples (44). 21/400-II Middle course of the Darrahe Sewich River. The halo is 150 sq km. In area underlain by Upper Cretaceous - Paleocene terrigenous-carbonate deposits. Cinnabar has been detected in all eight samples taken as the amounts ranging from a single grain to 10 or more grains in a sample together with lead minerals (44).

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22/400-II Lower reaches of the Kharbed and Rode Kodyan Rivers. The halo covering an area of 400 sq km is located in Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene sequence. Of 53 samples 23 have yielded single to 86 grains of cinnibar per sample; 33, lead minerals; and 32, single to 10 or more colours of gold per sample (44). 23/400-II Tagabsuf River drainage basin. Upper Cretaceous and Paleocene carbonate rocks are exposed within the halo which is 50 sq km in area. Cinnabar has been found in 5 samples in the amounts varying between single grains and 10 or more grains per sample (44). 24/400-II Upper reaches of the Jare Ghala Mushak River. The halo, covering an area of 440 sq km, is restricted to a fault zone in Miocene diorite porphyry which invade Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene sequence. Of 36 samples, 23 have yielded 10 or more grains of cinnabar each, 15, up to 0.56 g of lead minerals per cubic meter; and two, single colours of gold each (44). 26/400-II; 500-I See the section on tungsten. 37/400-II; See the section on gold. 46/400-II; 500-I See the section on gold. 47,68/400-II See the sections on gold (47) and lead and zinc (68). 76/400-II Sharzar River drainage basin. The halo 60 sq km in area, is confined to Carboniferous-Lower Permian and the Mesozoic rocks. Cinnabar has been identified in the samples taken in the amounts varying between single grains in a sample and 2 g/cu m, together with some galena and secondary lead minerals (43). 80; 87/400-II; 400-IV See the section on lead and zinc. 94/400-II Jalawar Range area. The halo, 270 sq km in area, is underlain by Lower Cretaceous deposits. Single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar have been found in each of 16 samples, together with lead minerals (75). 1/400-III Ghurian Village area. The halo, 130 sq km in area, embraces terrigenous-carbonate rocks and volcanics of Jurassic and Early Cretaceous age, which are partly overlain by Pliocene and Quaternary deposits Single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar have been found in each of 25 samples, together with single grains of ludwigite, ilmenite, and secondary lead minerals (43). 2; 5/400-III See the section on tin. 40/400-III Farah Town area. The halo, more than 60 sq km in area, is localized in Lower Cretaceous terrigenouscarbonate and Eocene-Oligocene volcanics that are disturbed by fault zones. 41 samples contain single grains in a sample to 1.2 g of cinnabar per cubic meter, as well as some lead minerals, cassiterite, and gold (43). 53/400-III South side of the Kohe Safed Range. Lower Cretaceous and Quaternary deposits are exposed within the halo whose area is 80 sq km. Cinnabar has been detected in 30 samples in the amounts ranging from single grains to 10 or more grains in a sample. In few samples it occurs together with galena (43). 56/400-III Anardara Village area. The halo covering 15 sq km involves Lower Cretaceous rocks which are partly overlain by Quaternary deposits. Cinnabar has been identified in 47 panning samples In the amounts varying between single grains and 10 or more grains in a sample, and cassiterite, in 25 samples (single grains in each). Galena, scheelite, and gold are less common (43). 58/400-III Anardara Village area. The halo covering an area of 400 sq km is restricted to Lower Cretaceous rock unit. Single grains in a sample to 0.3 g cinnabar per cubic meter have been found in 25 samples, and some cassiterite, in 40 samples (43). 59/400-III Farah Red Village area. The halo occupies an area of 30 sq km underlain by Lower Cretaceous deposits. Cinnabar has been detected in 13 samples in the amounts ranging from single grains to 10 or more grains in a sample (43). 66/400-III Lor Kohe Range area. The halo which occupies 50 sq km is confined to Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate sequence. Single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar have been found in each of 10 samples, as well as some galena (43). 170

1/400-IV Talak Village area. Lower-Middle Jurassic, Lower Cretaceous, and Neogene deposits are exposed within the halo, which is 300 sq km in area. Of 56 samples, each of 48 has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar, together with some galena (43). 2/400-IV Shela-i-Ghujibas River drainage basin. The halo, occupying an area of 345 sq km, is localized in Lower Cretaceous terrigenous carbonate rocks and Eocene-Oligocene volcanics. Of 300 samples, 221 contain single grains in a sample to 27 g of cinnabar per cubic meter (92). 4/400-IV Dahrah-i-Saghar River drainage basin. The halo, 700 sq km in area, includes exposures of Lower Cretaceous and Miocene terrigenous deposits and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbroic bodies. Of 69 samples, each of 27 has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar together with some cassiterite (43). 6/400-IV Shela-i-Khwaja-Bor River drainage basin. The halo, covering an area of 22 sq km, occurs within the area underlain by Lower Cretaceous deposits. Of 28 samples, seven contain some cinnabar, and 21, secondary lead minerals (43). 12 /400-IV Kharut River drainage basin. Lower Cretaceous and Miocene sequences are exposed within the halo whose area is 390 sq km. Of 145 samples, 75 contain single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar each and single grains in a sample to 10 g of the associated secondary lead minerals per cubic meter (43). 17/400-IV Drainage basin of the upper reaches of the Farah Rod River. The halo, 190 sq km in area, is restricted to Lower Cretaceous sequence intruded by Late Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbroic bodies. Of 37 samples each of 22 has yielded 10 or more grains of cinnabar, which occurs together with galena, ilmenite, and secondary lead minerals (43). 22/400-IV Talkhak River drainage basin. The 320 sq km area of the halo includes exposures of Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous rocks and Eocene-Oligocene volcanic-terrigenous formations cut by fault zones. Cinnabar, together with lead minerals, has been found in 313 samples, its amount ranging from single grains in a sample to 0.8 g/cu m (76). 24/400-IV Drainage basin of the upper reaches of the Ghor River. Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous rocks are exposed within the halo; which is 200 sq km in area. Of 438 samples, 167 contain single grains in a sample to 11 g of cinnabar per cubic meter (92). 29/400-IV See the section on lead and zinc. 30/400-IV Drainage basin of the upper reaches of the Yaman and Push-Koran rivers. The halo, covering an area of 265 sq km, is localized in Lower Cretaceous, Oligocene, and Pliocene deposits. Of 341 samples, 273 contain single grains in a sample to 20 g of cinnabar per cubic meter (92). 46/400-IV Upper reaches of the Muza Kwali Rod River. The halo, 400 sq km in area, is restricted to the Helmand Fault zone with the exposures of Proterozoic, Upper Permian, Upper Jurassic, and Lower Cretaceous rocks. Of 52 samples, each of 28 has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar; 12, some tungsten minerals, and 14, single grains of lead minerals (76). 47/400-IV See the section on tin. 49/400-IV The area of the Kohe Garkh Aba and Kohe Ghazduk Ranges. The 850 sq km halo embraces Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous rocks, Eocene-Oligocene volcanics and small bodies of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene gabbroic rocks. Of 1,363 samples, 750 contain single grains in a sample to 1.8 g of cinnabar per cubic meter, together with antimonite (single grains in a sample to 0.4 g /cu m), some galena, more seldom bismuthinite, and secondary lead minerals (93). 52/400-IV Akhtak River drainage basin. The 40 sq km area of the halo includes exposures of Proterozoic metamorphics and Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous deposits. Of five samples, each of four has yielded 10 or more grains of cinnabar (44). 59/400-IV Gulesten Rod River drainage basin. The halo occupies 120 sq km underlain by Lower Cretaceous terrigenous rocks invaded by Miocene dikes. Of 18 samples, each of 12 has shown single grains of cinnabar (44). 171

13/500-I Middle course of the Larkhab River. The halo, 40 sq km in area, occurs within Late Triassic granite. Single grains of cinnabar have been identified in each of eight samples (103). 28/500-I Upper reaches of the Bachak River. The halo, covering an area of 186 sq km, in restricted to fault zones in sandy-shaly and carbonate deposits of Ordovician and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene ages. All the 20 samples collected contain single grains to weighable amounts of cinnabar (71). 33/500-I Lower reaches of the Darya-i-Qaljan and Khendjan Rivers. The halo, 50 sq km in area, is confined to a fault zone in Upper Triassic and Lower Carboniferous volcanic-sedimentary strata. Of 14 samples, each of eight shows single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar, which occurs together with scheelite and galena (71). 40/500-I Upper reaches of the Darya Balkhob River. Ordovician sandy-shaly rocks and Upper CretaceousPaleocene carbonate rocks are exposed within the halo whose area is 156 sq km. Of 12 samples, each of nine contains single grains of cinnabar associated with galena and sphalerite (71). 50/500-I Left side of the Darra-i-Andarab Valley. The halo, 31 sq km in area, is confined to a fault zone in Triassic granite and Upper Triassic volcanic rocks. Of six samples, each four has yielded single grains of cinnabar associated with scheelite and galena (71). 52/500-I Upper reaches end the middle course of the Aokhorak River. The halo covering an area of 55 sq km is restricted to Triassic, Jurassic, Cretaceous, and Cretaceous-Paleocene deposits. Single grains of cinnabar have been found in each of seven samples (103). 53/500-I Upper reaches of the Jalka River. Upper Triassic volcanic rocks and Lower Carboniferous, Paleocene, and Neogene deposits are distributed within the halo which is 20 sq km in area. Cinnabar has been identified in four samples (single grains in each) (103). 57/500-I Left-hand bank of the Surkhab River. The halo occupies 2.5 sq km underlain by Lower-Middle Jurassic deposits, volcanic rocks, and granodiorite of Late Triassic age. Of 76 samples, each of 46 has yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar; 11, single colours of gold; and 32, single grains to 1.3 g of combined galena, cerussite, and pyromorphite per cubic meter (103). 68 /500-I Jalmesh Range area. The halo occupies 90 sq km underlain by Late Triassic granitic rocks, Silurian-Devonian, Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous deposits, and Lower Carboniferous volcanics. Single grains of cinnabar, cassiterite, galena, and gold have been identified in each of 10 samples (71). 88/500-I Espygaw River drainage basin. The halo covering an area of 93 sq km is localized in a fault zone cutting through Ordovician sandy-shaly units, Silurian-Devonian carbonates, and Early Carboniferous ultrabasic rocks. Of eight samples, each of five contains single grains of cinnabar associated with gold and galena (71). 94/500-I Gorgorawa River drainage basin. The 78 sq km area of the halo is underlain by Upper Triassic extrusive rocks and shale, Ordovician, Silurian-Devonian, Carboniferous, Lower Permian, Triassic, and Upper Cretaceous deposits, and Late Triassic granitic rocks. Of six samples, each of five has yielded single grains of cinnabar with the associated galena and scheelite (71). 102/500-I Gorband Rod River drainage basin. The halo occupying an area of 220 sq km is restricted to Proterozoic, Ordovician, Lower Carboniferous, Lower Permian, Miocene, and Pliocene formations and Early Carboniferous ultrabasics. Cinnabar has been found in 35 samples, its amounts varying between single grains and 10 or more grains in a sample (44). 105/500-I Drainage basins of the Bamyan and Gorband Rod Rivers. The halo, 1,050 sq km in area, is localized in a series of faults cutting through Proterozoic, Ordovician, Lower Carboniferous, Permian, Miocene, and Pliocene formations and Late Triassic and Oligocene granitic rocks. Of 769 samples, 421 have shown the presence of single grains in a sample to 13 g of cinnabar per cubic meter, 43, single colours of gold in each, and 64, single grains of galena in each (84). 123/500-I Khesh River drainage basin. The halo covering an area of 180 sq km is restricted to fault zones in Upper Devonian and Carboniferous-Lower Persian sequences. Of 32 samples, 16 contain single grains of

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cinnabar in each, 17 single grains in a sample to 4.4 g of scheelite per cubic meter; 12, some cassiterite; nine, some copper minerals; and six, single colours of gold in each (44). 147/500-I See the section on lead and zinc. 156/500-I Helmand Rod River drainage basin. The halo, 30 sq km in area, is developed within the Helmand Fault Zone where exposures are observed of Proterozoic rocks. Of 11 samples, each of six contains single grains of cinnabar, and four, 10 or more grains of scheelite (41). 159/500-I Nawa-i-Surkhjoi River drainage area. The halo covers 460 sq km embracing Proterozoic metamorphics, Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous and Eocene-Oligocene volcanic-sedimentary rocks, and Early Cretaceous ultrabasics. Of 95 samples, each of 52 has been found to contain single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar with the associated scheelite, gold and secondary lead minerals (75). 163,186/500-I See the section on tungsten. 194/500-I; 500-III; 400-IV Bande Astarlay Range area. A 600 sq km halo is restricted to the Helmand Fault Zone where Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous sedimentary rocks and Proterozoic metamorphic rocks are exposed at the surface. Of 111 samples, 55 have shown the presence of single grains 10 or more grains of cinnabar in each; 69, single grains in a sample to 2.6 g of lead minerals per cubic meter; seven, some scheelite; and 10, single grains of cassiterite in each (75). 64/500-IIII Shamsiddin Village area. The halo covers 12 sq km and occurs within Permian-Carboniferous calcareous-shaly deposits and Lower Quarternary volcanics. Single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar have been identified in each of four samples (41). 81/500-III See the sections on tungsten (81) and lead and zinc (111). 121/500-III North-west side of the Matkiy Range. The halo occupying an area of 2 sq km is related to Permian carbonates which make up small outcrops surrounded by Quaternary loam. Of four samples, each of two is reported to contain 10 or more grains of cinnabar (42). 128/500-III See the section on lead and zinc. 148/500-III Drainage basin of the middle course of the Makhi Mandeh River. The halo, 37 sq km in area embraces, intermediate volcanics of Early Quaternary age and Recent sediments. Single grains of cinnabar and gold have been identified in each of four samples (130). 187/500-III See the section on lead and zinc. 204/500-III Left-hand bank of the Argahdab Rod River. The halo covers 9 sq km, where Silurian, Devonian, and Permian rock units and Oligocene granite are exposed. Of 26 samples, each of 12 has been found to contain single grains of cinnabar (42). 227/500-III Drainage basins of the Kamkae Gomal and Gomal Rod Rivers. Eocene and Oligocene sequences are exposed within the halo whose area is 700 sq km. Of 132 samples, 69 have yielded cinnabar (single grains each); five, some scheelite; and one, some gold (130). 244/500-III Left-hand bank of the Argandab Rod River. The halo, 4 sq km in area, is localized in a fault zone within Upper Triassic sequence near its contact with Oligocene granite, Single grains to 10 or more grains have been found in each of five samples (42). 249/500-III Argandab River drainage basin. The halo covering an area of 45 sq km is restricted to Ordovician-Silurian terrigenous-carbonate rocks, Of 39 samples, 32 contain cinnabar in the amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 12 g/cu m (42). 258/500-III Left hand bank of the Argandab River. Proterozoic carbonate-terrigenous rocks are exposed within the halo, 17 sq km in area. Of 49 samples, each of 35 has been found to contain single grains of cinnabar, which occurs together with scheelite (42).

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1/500-IV Upper reaches of the Darya-i-Logar River. The halo occupying an area of 30 sq km is localized in Triassic and Paleocene rock units, cinnabar has been identified in eight samples (single grains in each) (130). 3/500-IV Upper reaches of the Sabakhello Lagd River. The halo occupies 100 sq km underlain by Eocene and Oligocene terrigenous rocks. Single grains of cinnabar have been found in each of 15 samples (130). 11/500-IV Upper reaches of the Neke Lagd River. The halo covers 50 sq km embracing Eocene and Oligocene rock units. Single grains of cinnabar have been identified in each of five samples (130). 25/500-IV; 500-III Drainage basin of the upper reaches of the Paltu-i-Rod, Bara Sima, and Urgun rivers. The halo occupies an area of 1,100 sq km made up of Paleogene deposits, cinnabar is reported to be present in 73 samples, its amounts varying between single grains in a sample and 0.1 g/cu m (130). 27/500-IV Drainage basin of the right-hand tributaries of the Barmal Rod River. The halo, 60 sq km in area, is restricted to Quaternary formations surrounding exposures of Triassic and Eocene sedimentary rocks and Eocene ultrabasics, Cinnabar has been identified in five samples in the amounts ranging from single grains to 10 or more grains in a sample (130). 14/600-IV See the section on lead and zinc. 1/700-I; 500-III Drainage basin of the middle course of the Lora Rod River. Eocene sediments and intrusions of Miocene syenite porphyry are exposed within the halo, which covers 120 sq km. Cinnabar is reported to be present in 11 samples (single grains in each), with the associated scheelite and secondary lead minerals (130). 2/700-I; 500-III Drainage basins of the De Sapazaw Yandeh, Shahidano Mader, Mandeh-i-Tore, and Hazari Mandeh Rivers. The halo covering an area of 1,100 sq km is localized in Oligocene terrigenous rocks. Cinnabar has been found in 62 samples in the amounts varying between single grains and 10 or more grains in a sample (130). 3/700-I; 500-III Drainage basin of the middle course of the Speti Nama River. The halo, 120 sq km in area, is restricted to Oligocene terrigenous rocks. Single grains of cinnabar have been detected in each of 12 samples (130). 5/700-I Shakharez Village area. The halo covers 16 sq km with the exposures of hydrothermally altered limestone and conglomerate of Early Cretaceous age and Upper Quaternary-Recent sediments. Of 20 samples, each of 10 contains single grains to 90 grains of cinnabar (42). 7/700-I Tarnak Rode River drainage basin. The halo, 850 sq km in area, is elongated along the zone of a deep-seated fault which has brought to a contact Proterozoic, Cretaceous, and Miocene units. There have been found single grains in a sample to 0.3 g of cinnabar per cubic meter, with the associated gold, scheelite, chromite and lead minerals (86). 9/700-I Middle course of the Zie Rod River. Eocene and Oligocene terrigenous rocks are exposed within the halo whose area is 150 sq km. Single cinnabar grains have been identified in each of 15 samples (130). 11/700-I Shakarez Village area. The halo covering 12 sq km is confined to Lower Cretaceous limestone and conglomerate, which were hydrothermally altered in fault zones. Of 26 samples, 10 have yielded single grains to 10 or more grains of cinnabar per sample, with the associated gold and cassiterite (42). 14/700-I Drainage basin of the right-hand tributaries of the Salesun Rod River. The halo covers an area of 500 sq km and is localized in Eocene and Oligocene sequences. Cinnabar has been found in 39 samples (single grains in each) (130). 29/700-I Edozi Village area. The halo occupies an area of 150 sq km underlain by Upper Cretaceous volcanics and Eocene terrigenous rocks. Cinnabar is present in the amounts varying between single grains and 10 or more grains in a sample. It occurs in an association with gold and secondary copper minerals (8).

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Beryllium Fields of Rare Metal Pegmatites 64/200-IV Talbuzanak, see the section on lithium. 60/500-II Mundol, Laghman Province, 3517'28"N, 7009'57"E. Rare metal pegmatites are located at the exocontact of a large intrusion of Oligocene two-mica granite, where garnet-sillimanite-biotite gneiss and schist are exposed. These are albitized microcline pegmatite dikes, 0.3 to 5 m thick and tens to first few hundred meters long, containing commercial-grade beryl (crystals range in size from 0.5 m 1-3 cm to 3 x 7 cm). Moreover, small segregations of lithium phosphates are very common in the albitized parts of the dikes (120). 78/500-II Nilaw-Kulam, Laghman Province, 3510'00" -3515'36"N, 7014'56"-7021'14"E. The territory of the pegmatites field is underlain by Lower Cretaceous gabbro-diorite, Proterozoic schist and gneiss invaded by Oligocene granitic rocks. The pegmatite dikes are different is size: in schist, they range in length from tens to hundreds of meters and in width from 1 to 5 m (up to 15 m in swells). In gabbro-diorite, they are from 1 to 20 m (up to 50 m) in width and up to 3 km in strike length. Some dikes are up to 7 km long. There are 60-70 pegmatite dikes in the gabbro-diorite and several hundred dikes in the gneiss and schist. The following types of pegmatite dikes have been distinguished by mineral compositions (1) oligoclase-microcline with schorl and scarce beryl; (2) albitized microcline with schorl and beryl; (3) albitized microcline with schorl, beryl, and nests of lepidolite, polychrome tourmaline, spodumene, kunzite, and pollucite; (4) albite with nests of lepidolite and spodumene; and (5) lepidolite-spodumene-albite. Within the field, the pegmatite dikes of commercial value concentrate in two large areas, the Nilaw and Kulam, which are known as mineral deposits (120). 108/500-II Pachaghan, Kapisa Province, 3502'03"N, 6943'10"E. Proterozoic gneiss intruded by Proterozoic granitic rocks and Lower Cretaceous gabbro-norite is exposed within the field. There have been found more than 300 dikes made up of the following types of pegmatite: (i) plagioclase-microcline with biotite and muscovite; (ii) muscovite-albite; and (iii) muscovite-microcline. The dikes of the first type, 1 to 4 m wide and 50 to 1000 m long, contain small beryls. The muscovite-albite pegmatites, ranging in width from 0.5 to 2.0 m and in length from 50 to 500 m, contain numerous small disseminated beryl crystals, the beryllium oxide content being as high as 0.7%. Coarse beryls are present only in the muscovite-microcline pegmatite dikes occurring in the eastern part of the field; Pachaghan area covering 0.2 sq km and described under muscovite (120). 116/500-II Darrahe Pech , Konar Province, 3452'30"-3459'00" N, 7042'10"-7045'40"E. Rare metal pegmatites occur within the eastern exocontact of a large intrusion of Oligocene granite, where Proterozoic metamorphics, Lower Triassic shale, and Early Cretaceous gabbro-diorite are exposed. The following types of pegmatite dikes have been found there: (1) plagioclase-microcline with biotite and muscovite, varying in thickness between first few centimeters and 15 m and in length between 800 and 1,000 m, which contain beryl and columbite-tantalite; (2) albitized microcline, ranging in width from 1 to 15 m and in length from 200 to 1,500 m, with beryl and tantalite-columbite (of 100 dikes 12 - 15 are of commercial value); (3) albite, 1 to 15 m wide and 200 to 1,500 m long, which are promising for tantalum; and (4) spodumene-albite, varying in width between 1 and 25 m and in length between 500 and 2,500 m, with spodumene, finely disseminated beryl, and columbite-tantalite (120). 126/500-II Chawki, Konar Province, 3440' 20"N, 7046'56"E (southeastern part); 3449'10"N, 7052'50" E (north-eastern part). The field includes exposures of Proterozoic schist and gneiss intercalated with marble and quartzite, and Carboniferous-Lower Permian sequence invaded by small intrusions of Early Cretaceous diorite and Oligocene granite. The dikes of albitized microcline pegmatite with schorl and muscovite are sporadic and form no large concentrations. The thickness of the dikes varies between 1 and 10 m and their length, between 10 and 200 m. They contain small (0.5 x 2 to 3 x 6 cm in size) beryl crystals and scattered particles of altered lithium phosphates. The south-western part of the field includes small albite pegmatite dikes with beryl and disseminated columbite-tantalite and cassiterite (120). 140/500-II Darrah Nur, Laghman Province, 3437'N, 7045'E. This area includes exposures of quartz-biotite and garnet-staurolite schists and limestone of Carboniferous-Early Permian and Late Triassic age, Lower Cretaceous diorite and quartz diorite and Oligocene granite. There have been recognized three types of pegmatite dikes: (1) oligoclase-microcline-schorl-muscovite-biotite (barren); (2) albitized microcline with 175

large beryls; and (3) spodumene-microcline-albite. The rare metal pegmatite dikes concentrate in three areas: the Darrah Nur, Qarbah, and Kashmund (120). 154/500-II Sahidan, see the section on lithium. Deposits 88:91/500-II See the sections on tantalum and niobium (88, Nilaw) and kunzite (91, Kulam). 123/500-II Darrahe Pech, Konar Province, 3455'02"-3455'53"N, 7044'12"-7044'53"E. The deposit is at the contact between Early Cretaceous diorite and quartz diorite. It comprises a swarm of large albitized microcline pegmatite dikes with commercial-grade beryl (first type of ore) and spodumene-albite pegmatite dikes with complex lithium-beryllium mineralization, which requires mechanical beneficiation (second type of ore). The firm type occurs in gently dipping tabular bodies, from 0.2 to 6.0 m thick and from 350 to 2,150 m in strike length. Beryl crystals in the dikes vary in size from 1-2 by 3-4 cm (near selvages) to 5-10 by 8-15 cm and to 40 by 40 cm (in the central part of the dike). The second type of minaralizatiom is characteristic only of the gently inclined dike "Spodumene I". Its length is 2,500 m and average thickness 13.65 m. The valuable minerals are spodumene, beryl, and columbite-tantalite. The average crystal dimensions are: spodumene, from 2 to 15 cm in length and from 0.3 to 0.4 x 1 to 1.5 cm in cross-section; beryl ranges from fractions of a millimeter to a few millimeters across; and columbite-tantalite varies between hundredth and tenth fractions of a millimeter across. The Spodumene I Dike averages 0.354% lithium oxide, 0.05% beryllium oxide, and first few thousandth fractions of one percent tantalum pentoxide. The type I ore reserves of the C1 and C2 categories have been estimated as follows: C1, 281 t of beryllium oxide (average content is 0.085%), or 2.3 thousand tonnes of beryl and C2, 1,203 t of beryllium oxide (content varies between 0.038 and 0.072%), or 9,750 t of beryl. The Cat. C2 type II ore reserves have been estimated as follows: 14.2 thousand tonnes of beryllium oxide (average content is 0.05%) and 100.3 thousand tonnes of lithium oxide (average content is 0.354%) (120). 141/500-II Darrah Nur, Nangarhar Province, 3439'40" N, 7032'30" E. The deposit is at the north-eastern contact between Early Cretaceous diorite and quartz diorite. Within the deposit there are more than 40 pegmatite dikes which range in length from first few tens of meters to first few hundred meters and in thickness from 0.3 to 3 m (up to 13 m in swells). These dikes are made up of albitized microcline pegmatite. The rare metal minerals are coarse crystalline (1 to 40 cm across) beryl and scarcely disseminated columbitetantalite and cassiterite (120). Occurrences 66:159/200-IV See the sections on lithium (66, Talbuzanak) and quartz (159, Darawa-Su). 43; 110/500-II See the sections on lithium (43, Alma) and muscovite (110, Pachaghan). 119/500-II Gursalaq, Konar Province, 3457'15"-3457'45"N, 7043'55"-7044'55"E. The occurrence is at the endocontact of a gabbroic intrusion with Lower Cretaceous diorite and comprises numerous pegmatite dikes 0.3 to 4.0 m thick and first few tens of meters to 700 m long. The rare metal minerals in the dikes are beryl, columbite-tantalite, and less common cassiterite. The content of beryllium oxide and tantalum and niobium pentoxide does not exceed thousandth fractions of one percent (69). 122/500-II Awligal, see the section on tin. 145/500-III Kashmund, Nangarhar Province, 3437'30" N, 7028'E. The occurrence is confined to an intrusion of Early Cretaceous diorite which invades Carbonaceous-Lower Permian shale, quartzite, and marble. Eight pegmatite bodies have been found, ranging in length from first few tens of meters to first few hundred meters and averaging 0.3 m in thickness. They are mainly formed of granite-pegmatite and apographic quartz-albite-microcline assemblages. Beryl forms small concentrations of crystals and nests, 0.3 x 0.5 m in size, with individual crystals varying in length between 1 and 8 cm and in cross-section between 1 and 4 cm. Columbite-tantalite is more seldom in the bodies (120). 159/500-II Shahidan, see the section on lithium.

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163/500-II Jalalabad, Nangarhar Province, 3428' N, 6927'30" E. The occurrence is restricted to Proterozoic schist and gneiss invaded by small bodies of Oligocene leucocratic granite. Pegmatite dikes are distributed over an area of 21 sq km, varying in thickness between 0.5 and 70 m. Three areas of beryl distribution have been distinguished there, The strongest beryllium mineralization occurs in one of the areas, where a 70 m thick pegmatite dike has been found. It contains a nest up to 5 m across, with as many as 10 beryl crystals per meter. The crystals range from 0.1 to 1.0 cm across and in length from 2 to 5 cm. Few of them are as long as 10 cm. The beryllium oxide content of the material in the area varies between 0.0007 and 0.91%. In, the other two areas there occur only single beryl crystals (53). 179; 189/500-III see the section on tungsten (179, Maydan-Akhu; 188, Badd). Showings 176/500-I Maydan Province, 3423'N, 6852'E. Bed-shaped pegmatite bodies, ranging in thickness from 0.1 to 0.5 m, have been found in Proterozoic gneiss. A 3 x 10 cm beryl has been encountered in one of the bodies (39). 144/500-II Laghman [Kabul] Province, 3438' N, 6950' E. Proterozoic gneiss is intruded by Oligocene granite and pegmatite dikes ranging in thickness from 0.5 to 5.0 m. Three beryl crystals, varying in length between 7 and 10 cm, have been found in one of the dikes formed of large blocks (3 9). 63; 66/500-III See the section on tin.

Lithium Fields of Rare-Metal Pegmatites 64/200-IV Talbuzanak, Badakhshan Province, 3712'06" N, 7033'36"E. (central part). Proterozoic schist and amphibolite, invaded by Early Triassic granitic rocks, are exposed in the area covering 50 sq km. The schist encloses pegmatite dikes containing 10 to 15% spodumene and tantalite-columbite and plagioclasemicrocline schorl-muscovite pegmatite dikes varying in thickness between 0.3 and 5 m and in length between 40 and 70 m. One of the dikes contains 40 x 50 cm vugs with beryl crystals and muscovite (120). 89/200-IV Kokcha, Badakhshan, 3636'35"N, 7053'15"E' (central part). The field is elongated in a northsouth direction, extending for 50 km. Oligocene granitic rocks and Archean gneiss, migmatites, and schist are exposed there. The rare metal pegmatites occur as albite-type dikes ranging in thickness from 1.5 to 3.0 m and extending for tens of metres. They consist of aggregates of albite, quartz and microcline with scarce columbite-tantalite crystals and with cassiterite grains where the dikes are greisenized. 97/200IV Badakshan province 3627'19"N, 7136'23"E (central part). Oligocene granite and Upper PermianUpper Triassic schist and quartzite are exposed within the field. Rare metal pegmatite dikes are enclosed in the schist that makes up the roof of the granite intrusions and are composed of the following type of pegmatites (1) plagioclase-microcline-biotite-muscovite with schorl (barren); (2) albite with finely disseminated beryl; (3) spodumene-albite and spodumene-microcline-cleavlandite; and (4) cymatolite-albite. The thickness of dikes varies between 15 m and 1 km. The pegmatite bodies of the last two types, which mainly concentrate within the Road-Side, Futur, Nawshah and Dahgal occurrences, are of commercial value for lithium, tantalum, and tin (120). 11/500-II Pachigram, Konar Province, 3531'40"N, 7100'E. (south-west boundary), 3552'N, 7118'E (northeast boundary). The field is confined to a narrow and long graben-syncline involving Upper CarboniferousLower Permian shale and Proterozoic schist and gneiss which are intruded by Oligocene granite. Three types of pegmatite dikes have been distinguished in the areas (1) oligoclase-microcline, schorl-muscovite; (2) albite with much phosphate; and (3) spodumene-microcline-albite and spodumene-albite. The last type, which is of commercial value, occurs in three areas: the Dega, Canigal, and Pachigram. The total number of dikes is 100. Their thickness ranges from 1 to 20 m and length from 10 m to 1 km. The ore grades 0.3 to 5% lithium oxide, 0,001 to 0.01% niobium pentoxide, 0.001 to 0.01% beryllium oxide, and 0.006 to 0.04% tin (120). 21/500-II Paron, Konar Province, 3454'34" N, 7052'15" E (south-western part), 3540'18"N, 7114'40" E (north-eastern part). The field is at the exocontact of an intrusion of Oligocene granite, invading Proterozoic 177

schist and gneiss as well as slightly metamorphosed sedimentary rocks of Late Triassic age. The following four types of pegmatite can be found in the metamorphic rocks: (1) oligoclase-microcline-biotite-muscovite (barren); (2) schorl-muscovite-microcline with scarce beryl crystals; (3) albitized microcline and albite with much phosphates; and (4) spodumene-microcline-albite and spodumene-albite. There have been distinguished two long zones of spodumene dikes, the Paprok and Waygal, and two shorter zones: the Pasgushta and Drumgal. In the Paprok Zone, the following localities with spodumene dikes have been outlined: the Pakawalpet, Jamanak, Pashki, and Boni. In the Waygal Zone, these localities are the Alma, Tramgal, Samgal, Inshaghar, Aranch, and Nangalam (120). 57/500-II Kantiway, Konar Province, 3526'10"N, 7046'20"E. The field of pegmatites, 200 sq km in area, is restricted to a large remnant of Proterozoic metamorphics in the roof of an intrusion of Oligocene granite. There have been distinguished four types of pegmatite: (1) oligoclase-microcline-schorl-muscovite (barren); (2) albitized microcline; (3) albite; and (4) spodumene-albite. A detailed examination has been made of a dike, 300 m long and 0.5 to 15 m thick in which a 150 sq m section has been found which is made up of cleavelandite aggregates with tourmaline and muscovite. Voids have been encountered there, lined with smoky rock crystals penetrated by transparent crystals of green tourmaline and cassiterite grains, kunzite crystals, and manganotantalite lamellae (120). 69/500-II Marid, Konar Province, 3506'40"N, 7113'50"E (south-western part), 3521'40"N, 7126'40"E (north-eastern part).The area of the pegmatite field is underlain by Proterozoic gneiss, schist, marble, and quartzite invaded by Early Cretaceous diorite. Dikes of heavily albitized microcline pegmatites with densely disseminated lithium phosphates are most widespread in these rocks. In the dikes, there occur occasional small crystals of white alkaline beryl. The thickness of the dikes ranges from 1 to 10 m and the length from tens to hundreds of meters. The spodumene-microcline-albite pegmatites were found only as fragments in the alluvium and talus deposits of the Sawgal Ghar and Nishag Valleys. Some spodumenes make up blocks up to 8 x 10 x 70 cm in size (120). 109/500-II Alingar, Laghman Province, 3452'41" N, 7016'48" E (south-western part), 3501'05" N, 7027'51" E (north-eastern part). The pegmatite field is outlined in roof remnants made up of Proterozoic and Upper Triassic rocks, which occur at the endocontact of an intrusion of Oligocene granite. As to the concentration of rare metal pegmatite dikes, the north-eastern section of the field, 12 x 2-6 km in area, is most interesting. The following five types of pegmatite have been distinguished there (1) microcline-schorlmuscovite, slightly albitized; (2) albite; (3) spodumene-albite; (4) lepidolite-spodumene-albite; and (5) lepidolite- amblygonite-albite with pollucite (120). 116/500-II Darrahe Pech, see the section on beryllium. 137/500-II Shamakat, Laghman Province, 3440'10"-3444'00" N, 7000'20"-7002'15" E. The pegmatite field is confined to Proterozoic metamorphic rocks and Oligocene granite. Two types of ore bearing dikes have been recognized; spodumene-albite and petalite-spodumene-albite. Their length is 2 km the thickness varying between 1 and 7 m. The dikes contain much lithium (up to 1.8%), The ore grades hundredth fractions of one percent combined cesium and rubidium oxides, 0.0028 to 0.013% tantalum pentoxide, first few hundredth fractions of one percent tin, and 0.003 to 0.04% beryllium. The Shamakat deposit is localized in the pegmatite field (120). 154/500-II Shahidan, Laghman Province, 3434' N, 6959'30" E (north-eastern part), 3429' N, 6949' E (south-western part). The pegmatite field is restricted to Proterozoic metamorphics and Carboniferous-Lower Permian rock unit intruded by Oligocene granite. At the exocontact, the granite has an swarm of pegmatite dikes varying in thickness between 1 and 15 m and in length tens to hundreds of meters. Both concordant and discordant bodies have been found, with four types of pegmatite: (1) plagioclase-microcline-biotitemuscovite with tourmaline (barren); (2) albitized microcline with alkaline and non-alkaline beryl; (3) albite; and (4) spodumene-microcline-albite (120). 41/500-II Tagawlor, Oruzghan Province, 3342'30"-3347'N, 6619'30"-6629'E. The pegmatite field extends for 18 km, ranging in width from 1.0 to 1.5 km. The pegmatite dikes occur in the zone of contact between an intrusion of Oligocene granite and Proterozoic metamorphic rocks. There have been distinguished three types of pegmatite: (1) spodumene-microcline-albite, the main type of ore-bearing pegmatite; it contains 10 to 25% spodumene whose crystals range in length from 5 to 10 cm, rarely up to 30-60 cm; (2) microcline-schorl178

muscovite, containing beryl; and (3) cymatolite-albite. The field has been found to include 300 pegmatite dikes varying in thickness between 0.5 and 20 m and in length between 50 and 2,000 m. The pegmatites contain some tantalite-columbite lamellae, 1 x 3 to 5 mm. in size, and cassiterite grains not exceeding 5 mm. across. 14 pegmatite dikes (including the Tagawlor deposit), which range in length from 200 m to 2 km and in thickness from 2 to 35 m, totally have the speculative lithium oxide reserves of 1,464 thousand tonnes (the content is 0.08 to 2.80%), tantalum pentoxide reserves of 4.2 thousand tonnes (content is from 0.008 to 0.025%), and tin reserves of 17.6 thousand tonnes (content is 0.14%) (120). Deposits 62/500-II Pasgushta, Konar Province, 3523'34"N, 700'56" E. The deposit represents a zone of steeply dipping dikes of spodumene-microcline-albite and spodumene-albite pegmatites enclosed in Upper Triassic shale. The zone varies in width between 30 and 250 m and extends for 10 km. The largest dikes may reach in length 600800 m and in thickness 20-30 m. The pegmatites contain finely disseminated minerals of the columbite-tantalite group, as well as some cassiterite. Three spodumene dikes (upper reaches of the Pasgushta River), totalling 70 m in thickness, average 1.96% lithium oxide. Along the other cross-section, in the area of the Pasgushta Pass, a 20 m. interval averages 2.14% lithium oxide. The contents of rubidium and cesium do not exceed first few hundredth fractions of one percent. Speculative lithium oxide reserves to a depth of 100 m are 1,050 thousand tonnes. the tantalum pentoxide content varying between.0.002 and 0.007% (120). 64/500-II Jamanak, Konar Province, 3523'12"N, 7059'06"E. The main 2 sq km area of the deposit includes exposures of quartz-muscovite-biotite, garnet-staurolite-mica, and biotite schists of Triassic age, which enclose three types of pegmatite dikes: (1) spodumene-microcline-albite; (2) strongly albitized pegmatite with spodumene and cymatolite; and (3) albite. At the deposit, the spodumene dikes make up four zones. Those of the first zone range in width from 10 to 20 m and extend as far as 1 km, being composed of the following mineral assemblages: (1) 60 to 65% spodumene-microcline-albite; (2) 15% spodumene-microcline-quartz; (3) 15 to 20% spodumene-albite; and (4) 5 to 10% albite. The second zone is from 10 to 15 m thick; the third, 5 to 7 m thick, and the fourth, 2 to 6 m thick. The length of the second and fourth zones is 800 m each, that of the third zone exceeds 2 km. The content of rubidium and cesium of the zones is 0.02% or less and of tantlum pentoxide 0.006%. The average lithium oxide content of the deposit is 1.53%. The speculative lithium oxide reserves to a depth from 100 to 250 m total 294 thousand tonnes for zones I, II and III. The total lithium oxide reserves of the entire deposit to a depth of 100 m are 450 thousand tonnes (120). 65/500-II Yarigul, Konar Province, 3522'40"N, 7050'51"E. The deposit occurs in Proterozoic schist and gneiss, which enclose injection bodies of Oligocene granite and pegmatites with large crystals of muscovite, schorl, and beryl. The thickness of the pegmatite dikes ranges from 1.5 to 5.0 m and the length, from 0.5 to 3.5 km. The pegmatite dikes are of the spodumene-microcline-albite type. The speculative lithium oxide reserves are 130 thousand tonnes. The almost flat-lying dikes of the Yarigul deposit, like similar dikes of the Wazgul area, may prove to be tantalum bearing (120). 66/500-II Lower Pasgushta, Konar Province, 3522'53"N, 7103'06"E. At the deposit, two tabular pegmatite dikes have been found in Upper Triassic shale. Their thickness ranges from 20 to 25 m and lengths are 500 and 750 m. The pegmatite, which is of the spodumene-albite type, has the following mineral composition: 10 to 15% microcline blocks, 25 to 30% spodumene crystals, 60% fine-grained muscovite-quartz-albite aggregates, and 1 to 3% other mineral aggregates (cleavelandite). The lithium oxide is uniformly distributed over the dikes, with the content in the range from 2.00 to 2.31% (2.2% on the average). Speculative lithium oxide reserves to a depth of 100 m are 124 thousand tonnes (120). 72/500-II Drumgal, Konar Province, 3519'03"N, 7101'21"E. The pegmatite bodies are enclosed in Upper Triassic shale. Three spodumene-microcline-albite pegmatite dikes have been discovered at the deposit, varying in thickness between 7 and 30 m, in length between 1 and 2 km, with the lithium oxide content between 1.38 and 1.58%. Speculative lithium oxide reserves to a depth of 100 m are 253 thousand tonnes. At the central cross-section of the Dike 1; a 30 m interval contains 0.06% tantalum pentoxide under 5:1 tantalumto-niobium ratio. For the full 60 m thickness of the dike, the tantalum pentoxide content averages 0.03% (120). 79/500-II Pashki, Konar Province, 3517'30"N, 7057'30"E. Upper Triassic sedimentary rocks are exposed within the deposit, whose area is 7 sq km. Four types of pegmatite have been recognized: (1) albitized microcline with densely disseminated phosphates and scarce beryls; (2) spodumene-microcline-albite; (3) heavily albitized, with 179

spodumene; and (4) spodumene-cleavelandite-microcline with pollucite. Spodumene-microcline-albite pegmatite is the main ore-bearing type of the deposit. It constitutes two large dikes (Dikes 1 and 3) and Dike Zone 2. Dike 1, extending for 1 km and ranging in thickness from 7.5 at to 60 m, is exposed by erosion for 600 m down the dip and contains 15 to 25% spodumene. Dike 3,600 m in length and 2 to 8 m in thickness, contains 15 to 20% spodumene. Dike Zone 2 is 2.5 km long, and its pegmatite dikes total in thickness 5 to 10 m. In some places, the spodumene dikes are an echelon arranged, and in others they form a complex network of subparallel dikes. Individual dikes in the zone vary in thickness between 0.5 and 10 m, the length ranging from 5 and 300 m. The dikes contain between 0.01 and 0.02% rubidium and cesium and between 0.002 and 0.008% tantalum pentoxide. Dike 1 averages 1.46% lithium oxide; dike 3, 1.56%; and Zone 2, 2.1%. Speculative lithium oxide reserves of dikes 1 and 3 and Zone 2 to a depth of 100 m are 127 thousand tonnes (120). 80/500-II Samgal, Konar Province, 3517'45"N, N, 7102'31"E. Within the area of the deposit, spodumene dikes enclosed in carbonaceous quartz-biotite schist of Late Triassic age making up zones, up to 5 km long, have the total average thickness of 10 m individual dikes range in thickness from 3 to 7 m and in length from 600 to 1,000 m. The pegmatites are of the spodumene-microcline-albite and spodumene-albite types and contain 15 to 30% spodumene. One of the dikes averages 2.32% lithium oxide. The erosional depth downdip is at least 800 m. Speculative lithium oxide reserves to a depth of 100 m are 187.5 thousand tonnes averaging 1:5% lithium oxide (120). 500-II Darrahe Pech, see the section on beryllium. 139/500-II Shamakat, Laghman Province, 3440'10"-3444'00"N, 7000'20"-7002'15"E. Proterozoic metamorphics intruded by small bodies of Oligocene granite are exposed within the deposit. Two types of ore-bearing dikes are discovered there: spodumene-albite and petalite-spodumene-albite. These vary in thickness between 1 and 10 m, and in length, between hundreds of meters and 2 km. The largest zone of spodumene-albite dikes extends for more than 3 km, the total thickness of the dikes being up to 10 m (4 m on the average). Dikes 1, 2, 4-7, and 10 contain 1.76% lithium oxide, and Ore-Bearing Zone 1, 1.88% lithium oxide. The following contents have also been determined: under 0.01% cesium oxide, first hundredth fractions of one percent rubidium, 0.0028 to 0.013% tantalum pentoxide (tantalum-to-niobium ratio is 1:2), 0.07 to 0.39 (rarely up to 2.85%) tin, and 0.003 to 0.042% beryllium oxide. Speculative lithium oxide reserves for Dike Zone 1 (to a depth of 150 m) and for the other largest dikes sampled (to a depth of 100 m) are 158 thousand tonnes, with the average lithium oxide content of 1.76% (120). 48/500-III Tagawlor, Oruzghan Province, 3345'00"N, 6625'30"E. A series of concordant en echelon dikes of rare metal pegmatites is discovered in Proterozoic schist over an area of 3 sq km, in the exocontact zone of an intrusion of Oligocene granite. The dikes range in thickness from 2 to 20 m, totalling, on the average, 15 m. The total length of the pegmatite belt is 2.5 km. The pegmatites are of the spodumene-microcline-albite type. The dikes contain finely disseminated columbite-tantalite and cassiterite. Speculative lithium oxide reserves of five dikes ranging in average thickness from 5 to 10 m and in length from 500 to 1,800 n are 130 thousand tonnes assaying 2.44% LiO2. Tin content varies between 0.01 and 0.02% (120, 129). Occurrences 66/200-IV Talbuzanak, Badakhshan Province, 3713'35"N, 7033'21"E. A lens-shaped pegmatite dike, 20 to 30 m wide and 200 m long, has been found in Proterozoic amphibolite. The dike comprises blocks of biotitemicrocline pegmatite (90%), quartz core (2%), and spodumene-microcline-cleavelandite pegmatite (8%). The spodumene forms large crystals varying in size between 5x10x20 cm and 0.2x0.3x2.5 m. Beryl, columbite, tantalite, and pollucite are seldom to occur (19). 100/200-IV Road-side, Badakhshan Province, 3640'N, 7140'E. The occurrence comprises 20 spodumenealbite pegmatite dikes enclosed in quartz-mica schist of Early Triassic age. The thickness of the dikes ranges from 1 to 4 m, rarely up to 20 m; and the length, from 15 to 400 m. Along with spodumene, they contain disseminated cassiterite. The spodumene content varies between 20 and 30%. In addition, the dikes contain 2.3% lithium oxide, 0.1% tin, 0.01% beryllium oxide, and 0.003% tantalum pentoxide (120). 103/200-IV Futur, Badakhshan Province, 3638'N, 7139'E. Five spodumene-microcline-albite pegmatite dikes have been distinguished within the occurrence. These dikes, ranging in thickness from 2 to 15 m and in length from 200 to 300 m, occur in Upper Triassic quartz-mica schist and contain 10 to 30% spodumene. 180

Common are tourmaline, cassiterite, and columbite-tantalite. The following contents have been reported 0.001 to 0.5% tantalum, 0.001 to 0.1% beryllium oxide, and 0.001 to 0.3% tin (120). 104/200-IV Nawshah, Badakhshan Province, 3638'N, 7145'E. 15 spodumene-albite pegmatite dikes, 1 to 3 m thick and 50 to 100 m long, have been found within the occurrence. These are enclosed in CarboniferousLower Permian quartz biotite schist, in the zone of its contact with Oligocene granite. The visible spodumene content is 30%, some cassiterite is also present (120). 140/200-IV Dehgal, Badakhshan , 3622'N, 7127'E. Upper Triassic quartz-mica schist encloses nine pegmatite dikes, varying in thickness between 3 and 15 m and in length between 400 and 1,000 m. These contain up to 20% spodumene. Cleavelandite aggregates with unevenly disseminated cassiterite are widespread in the dikes. The content of lithium oxide ranges from 0.39 to 7.33%, and of tin, from 0.04 to 0.06% (120). 730/17/500-II Pachigram, Konar Province, 3545'54"N, 7111'07"E. The occurrence comprises 20 albite and spodumene-albite pegmatite dikes in Carboniferous-Lower Permian shale at the exocontact of an intrusion of Oligocene granite. The dikes are 1 to 3 m wide and 50 to 150 m long. Spodumene forms crystals ranging in length from 5 to 30 cm; scarce grains of cassiterite and columbite-tantalite can also be found. The dikes assayed 0.3 to 5.0% lithium oxide, 0.001 to 0.01% niobium pentoxide, 0.001 to 0.01% beryllium oxide, and 0.006 to 0.04% tin (120). 20/500-II Tsanigal, Konar Province, 3543'02"N, 7107'00"E. The occurrence consists of 50 spodumenemicrocline-albite and spodumene-albite dikes in Carboniferous-Lower Permian shale. Their thickness varies between 1 and 3 m, and length, between 50 and 20 m. They contain 10 to 20% spodumene, with crystals ranging in length from 5 to 100 cm. Cassiterite and columbite-tantalite are extremely scarce. Amblygonite and scorzalite have been identified in the dikes from the lower reaches of the Tsanigal Valley (120). 25/500-II Dega, Konar Province, 3538'33"N, 7103'30"E. The occurrence is restricted to CarboniferousLower Permian quartz-biotite schist which encloses, at the exocontact of an intrusion of Oligocene granite, spodumene-microcline-albite pegmatite dikes. These are lens-shaped and range in thickness from 1.0 to 2.5 m under 100-150 m length. Spodumene crystals vary in size from 5x5x20 to 10x15x70 cm. Cassiterite and columbite-tantalite are scarce and occur as small grains (120). 36/500-II Pakawalpet, Konar Province, 3533'44"N, 7107' 24"E. The occurrence is composed of spodumene-microcline-albite dikes surrounded by Upper Triassic garnet-staurolite schist. 30-35 dikes, varying in thickness between 2 and 10 m and in length between 100 and 500 m, have been discovered. The spodumene content ranges from 10 to 25%. Some pegmatites locally carry disseminated columbite-tantalite and cassiterite. (120). 43/500-II Alan, Konar Province, 3530'08"N, 7110'52"E. Within the occurrence spodumene-albite dikes are found in Upper Triassic garnet-staurolite schist. The dikes range in width from 2 to 5 m, and in length, from 0.4 to 0.5 km. Some portions of the albitized microcline pegmatite contain scarce crystals, 2x5 to 10x15 cm in size, of bluish-green and white beryl (120). 500-II Wasgul, see the section on tantalum and niobium. 63/500-II Pramgal, Konar Province. 3523'34"N, 7104'50"E. 20 plate-shaped spodumene dikes are know at the occurrence, being enclosed in lower Triassic sericite-quartz schist. The thickness of the dikes varies between 2 and 4 m, and the length, between 100 and 400 m (120). 85/500-II Inshaghar, Konar Province, 3513'56"N, 70'59'18"E. The occurrence is made up of 10 steeply dipping plate-shaped dikes surrounded by Lower Triassic phyllite, These range in thickness from 2 to 5 m, and in length, from 200 to 300 m, and are of the spodumene-albite type. The spodumene content is from 10 to 25% (120). 93/500-II Boni, Konar Province, 3510'54"N, 7049'39"E. The occurrence represents a wide belt comprising plate-shaped steeply inclined spodumene-microcline-albite dikes in Proterozoic garnet-staurolite schist. The dikes, 3 to 10 m wide and hundreds of meters long, contain 15 to 25% spodumene (120).

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97/500-I Marid, Konar Province, 3508'00"N, 7117'58''E. The area of the occurrence includes exposures of Proterozoic gneiss and schist intercalated with marmorized limestone. Many angular blocks, 0.5 to 5.0 m across, of spodumene-microcline-albite pegmatite have been found 2 km down the valley from the Marid Village. The spodumenes average 5-20 cm in length while some crystals are up to 8x10x70 cm in size. Small cassiterite grains are present (120). 98/500-II Aranch, Konar Province, 3509'36"N, 7058'31"E. The occurrence represents a zone of pegmatite dikes in Proterozoic schist and marble. The zone is 1 km wide and 5 km long. The dikes range in thickness from 1.5 to 5 m, and in the length, from 50 to 200 m. In the north-eastern segment, in the valley of a tributary of the Waygak Dara River, there have been found angular pegmatite blocks, 10 to 20 m across, which are made up of an aggregate of microcline, quartz and cleavelandite and spodumene crystals, up to 5x10x80 cm in size. The occurrence offers good possibilities for coarse crystalline spodumene as well as tantalum and beryl (120). 114/500-II Kalatan, Laghman Province, 3500'26"N, 7026'40"E. The occurrence consists of rare metal pegmatite dikes in Upper Triassic quartz-biotite schist. These form seven dike zones composed of several types of pegmatite. The spodumene-microcline-albite and spodumene-albite pegmatites constitute dikes varying in thickness between 1 and 4 m, less commonly between 20 and 25 m, and in length between 50 and 200 m, rarely between 500 and 600 m. The spodumene content ranges from 10 to 30% and the length of crystals, from 10 to 20 cm. There occur scarce cassiterite and columbite-tantalite. The lepidolite-spodumenealbite pegmatite makes up four dikes, 0.5 to 12 m thick and 15 to 100 m long, and contain manganotantalite, cassiterite, and columbite-tantalite. The lepidolite-amblygonite-albite pegmatite, containing pollucite, forms one lens in which coarse crystalline pollucite is localized in a section 7 sq km in area and 1 m in width. The spodumene-albite dikes average 1.75 to 2.36% lithium oxide, and the lepidolite-spodumene-albite dikes, 1.75% lithium oxide. Tin content ranges from 0.08 to 0.21% (120). 117/500-II Nangalam, Konar Province, 3459'27"N, 7053'22"E. The occurrence comprises spodumenemicrocline-albite dikes. These lie in Proterozoic schist and marble and vary in width between 0.5 and 4.0 m under up to 150 m length. The spodumenes are 5x5x40 cm in size. Concentrations of rubellite and green tourmaline have been established in one of the heavily albitized dikes (120). 11/500-II Kalagush, Laghman Province, 3558'08"N, 7023'17"E. Pegmatite dikes are restricted to a remnant of the roof on an intrusion of Oligocene granite. This remnant is composed of Upper Triassic shale. There occur 15-20 dikes of microcline-albite type, with spodumene, and of spodumene-albite type, which are 1 to 6 m wide and 15 to 500 m long. Spodumene is distributed irregularly, with the maximum content of 15-20%. Some grains of cassiterite and columbite-tantalite are present in the dikes (120). 122/500-II Awlagal, see the section on tin. 159/500-II Shahidan, Laghman [Herat] Province, 3429'54"N, 6956'04"E. Lens-shaped pegmatite dikes, 1 to 5 m in. thickness and 15 to 20 m in length, are present in Proterozoic quartz-biotite schist. The pegmatite is of spodumene-microcline albite type with cassiterite. The gneiss encloses a series of strongly albitized pegmatite dikes 1 to 5 m thick and tens of meters to 200 m long. Some sections of the dikes contain nests of beryls, 5 x 10 cm in cross-section, and disseminated fine-lamellar columbite-tantalite (120). Showings 56/500-III Oruzghan Province, 3343'29"N, 6629'45"E. A pegmatite dike with scarcely disseminated sulphides is enclosed in Oligocene granitic rocks. The dike, 17 m thick and 150 m long, contains 0.02 to 0.1% lithium, up to 0.03% zinc, and 0.01% tin (120).

Cesium and Rubidium Fields of Rare-Metal Pegmatites 21;27;78/500-II See the sections on lithium (21, Paron) and beryllium (78, Nilaw-Kulam). 104/500-II Kurghal, Laghman Province, 3504'06"N, 718'29"E. Ore bodies occur along the western exocontact of an Oligocene granite intrusion, where Proterozoic crystalline schist and gneiss enclose 182

pegmatite dikes 1 to 50 m in thickness and tens to hundreds of meters in length. The following types are distinguished among the pegmatites: (1) granite pegmatite with schorl-muscovite-microcline patches of a block pegmatoid texture; (2) oligoclase-microcline schorl-muscovite pegmatite with nests of lepidolite, polychromatic tourmaline, and pollucite; and (3) albitized microcline pegmatite (120). 109/500-II Alingar, see the section on lithium. 164/500-II Surkh Rod, Nangarhar Province, 3426'05''N, 7015'23"E. (central part). Silurian-Devonian shale and limestone and Oligocene granite crop out in the area. Pegmatite dikes occur in a belt comprising bodies concordant with the enclosing shale. The pegmatite zone extends for 15 km. The dikes are 1.5 to 10 m in thickness and 10 to 200 m in length. The pegmatites are of trio types: (1) slightly albitized oligoclasemicrocline pegmatite with schorl, garnet, biotite and muscovite (barren); and (2) lepidolite-spodumene-albite pegmatite bearing lithium, tantalum, and cesium minerals (120). Deposits 79;91/500-II See the sections on lithium (79, Pashki) and kunzite (91, Kulam). Occurrences 45; 106; 114/500-II See the sections on tantalum and niobium (45, Wasgul), tourmaline (106, Surghal) and lithium (114, Kalatan). 167/500-II Tatang, Nangarhar Province, 3426'05"N, 7015'23"E. The mineralization is confined to a pegmatite dike, 3 to 24 m thick and 170 m long, occurring in Silurian-Devonian shale and limestone. A pollucite-bearing zone has an average thickness of 0.5 m and a length of 70 m, where pollucite occurs as fine-grained aggregate in veinlets and lenses, 15 to 20 x 100 cm in size. The average pollucite content is 25 to 30%. The dike mostly consists of quartz, cleavelandite, rubellite, and lepidolite. Cassiterite disseminations are observed. There are occasional patches rich in polychromatic tourmaline. The average content of cesium oxide in the pollucite-bearing some is 9% (120).

Tantalum and Niobium Fields of Rare-Metal Pegmatites 41/200-IV - Shewa, Badakhshan Province, 3722'07"N, 7024'43"E (the central part). The Shewa field is situated at the contact between the Archean metamorphic rocks, Upper Triassic Middle Jurassic terrigenous deposits, and Oligocene granitic rocks. Dikes of albitized microcline pegmatites containing altered lithium phosphate have been found in the Darah-i-Araght Valley. The dikes are likely to be tantalum bearing (120). 64; 89; 97/200-IV See the section on lithium (64, Talbuzanak; 89, Kokcha; 97, Eshkashem). 21/500-II Paron, see the section on lithium. 71/500-II Panjsher, Parwan Province, 3520'N, 6920'E. A pegmatite field is restricted to Proterozoic gneiss, Ordovician shale, Silurian-Devonian limestone, and Late Triassic granite. Pegmatite dikes are subconcordant, 2 to 10 m thick and up to 1 km long. They consist predominantly of muscovite-plagioclasemicrocline pegmatite with schorl, garnet, and single minute beryl crystals. Frequently found are albitized dikes with muscovite. Spodumene-albite and muscovite-cleavelandite dikes bearing rare metals have been discovered within three localities (Salang, Sumte-Shamir, and Taghma). The dikes range in thickness from 0.5 to 18 m and in length from 10 to 300 m, occasionally reaching 800 m. Some patches in pegmatites are impregnated with columbite-tantalite and cassiterite, the impregnation being locally considerable (Taghma). The largest content of Ta2O5 was found to be 0.022% and that of tin 2%. Extensive mechanical mineralogical haloes of cassiterite were delimited within the area of mineralization (120, 134). 78; 104; 116/500-II See the sections on beryllium (78, Nilaw-Kulam; 116, Darrahe Pech) and on cesium and rubidium (104, Kurghal).

183

125/500-II Daramdaram, Kapisa Province, 3453'N, 6945'E. Within a field of pegmatites, Proterozoic gneiss and Upper Triassic shale crop out, being intruded by small Oligocene granite bodies. At the exocontact of one of the granitic bodies, there are albitized microcline and albite pegmatites containing disseminated columbite-tantalite and cassiterite. These are 0.3 to 4 m thick and 50 to 150 m long. Dikes are rare and never form large swarms (120). 126; 137; 140/500-II See the sections on beryllium (126, Chawki; 140, Darrah Nur) and on lithium 137, Shamakat). 41/500-III Tagawlor, see the section on lithium. Deposits 72/500-II Drumgal, see the section on lithium. 88/500-II Nilaw, Laghman [Nuristan] Province, 3511'18"N - 3515'36"N, 7015'18" - 7018'10"E. Three types of pegmatite dikes occurring in Early Cretaceous diorite and gabbro-diorite have been distinguished at the deposit: (1) Albitized microcline pegmatites with schorl and beryl, their thickness varying from 1 to 20 m (occasionally up to 50 m) and extension from 1 to 7 km (2) Albite pegmatites with occasional crystals of spodumene and nests of lepidolite, blue cleavelandite, and polychromatic tourmaline. The dikes (4 or 5 in number) have been found in the northern part of the deposit. They extend for 2 to 4 km, the average thickness being 4 m. Of economic value is Dike No. 8 which is 4 km long and 25 to 11 m thick. Its central portion contains lepidolite, blue cleavelandite, white-pink spodumene, polychromatic tourmaline, kunzite, vorobyevite, and small concentrations of pollucite. The tantalum minerals are microlite, manganotantalite, tantalite, columbite-tantalite, and cassiterite. The Ta2O5 content of Dike No. 8 is from 0.015 to 0.034%, the average of eight cross-sections being 0.022%. The tantalum-to-niobium ratio is 1.5 (3) Lepidolitespodumene-albite pegmatites occur in four dikes, 800 to 2,000 m in length and 1 to 4 m in thickness. The ore minerals are columbite-tantalite, manganotantalite, microlite, beryl, and cassiterite. Of economic value are finely disseminated tantalum minerals and coarse-crystalline beryl. In some pegmatite bodies the amount of beryl in nests reaches hundreds of kilograms, occasionally 1 or 2 tonnes, per area of 20-30 sq m. down to the depth of 0.5-1.0 m. The pegmatites were also found to contain 0.3 to 3% lithium, 0.001 to 0.1% cesium, 0.001 to 0.03% rubidium, and 0.001 to 0.05% tin (19, 120). 123; 139/500-II See the sections on beryllium (123, Darrahe Pech) and lithium (139, Shamakat). 48/500-III Tagawlor, see the section on lithium. Occurrences 66; 103/200-IV See the section on lithium (66, Talbuzanak; 103, Futur). 26; 173; 177/500-I See the sections on molybdenum (26, Tundara) and tin (173, Behsud Field; 177, Dardang). 17/500-II Pachigram, see the section on lithium. 45/500-II Wasgul, Konar Province, 3529'10"N, 7059'10"E. The mineral occurrence is confined to pegmatite dikes in Proterozoic gneiss. The dikes, ten in number, being 1.5 to 5.0 m thick and 100 to 400 m long, are composed of spodumene-microcline-cleavelandite pegmatite which exhibits block structure. The length of spodumene crystals reaches 1.5 m, their cross-section being 15 x 20 cm. The average size of crystals is 10 x 15 x 40 cm. Tantalite in large crystals and nests have been found in three blocks on the left side of the Uchakgul Valley. Commonly, tantalite crystals are 4 x 6 x 1.5 cm in size, the largest being 14 x 19 x 3 cm. The weight of their aggregates is from 5 to 7 kg. Pollucite is found in rarely scattered small patches, 3 x 10 cm in size, associated with blue cleavelandite and plychromatic tourmaline. Greisen selvages at the dike contacts are rich in cassiterite (120). 76/500-II Salang (Dawlathan), Parwan Province, 3518'N, 6916'30"E. Rare-metal-bearing pegmatite dikes (23 in number) have been found in Ordovician quartz-biotite schist. The dikes are 0.5 to 10 m thick and 10 to 320 m long. They are composed of muscovite-cleavelandite and spodumene-albite pegmatites with visible 184

disseminations of columbite-tantalite and cassiterite. The content of tin may reach 1% and that of tantalum pentoxide 0.012-0.2%, the tantalum-to-niobium ratio being 1.2 (120, 134). 92/500-II Taghma, Parwan Province, 3511'15"N, 6912'30"E. Proterozoic diorite encloses 40 rare-metalbearing pegmatite dikes in an area of 5 sq km. The thickness of the dikes varies from 0.5 to 18 m, the maximum length being 700 m. The largest dike, 7 x 700 m in size, is composed of spodumene-microclinealbite pegmatite with visible disseminations of columbite-tantalite and cassiterite. The content of tantalum pentoxide is 0.022% and that of tin reaches 2% (134). 95/500-II Sumte-Shamir, Parwan Province, 3509'30"N, 6913'30"E. 16 dikes of rare-metal-bearing pegmatites have been found in Proterozoic microquartzite and biotite-quartz schist. The dikes range from 0.3 to 6.0 m in thickness and from 10 to 80 m in length. They consist of muscovite-albite pegmatite with visible disseminations of columbite-tantalite. Tin content is not more than 0.2% (134). 119/500-III Gursalaq, see the section on beryllium. 131/500-II Daramdaram, Kapisa Province, 3450'16"N, 6946'18"E. Tabular pegmatite dikes, 0.3 to 1.5 m thick, occur in Proterozoic gneissose granite. These are made up of quartz, microcline, and an aggregate of lamellar saccharoidal albite with a variable amount of fine-flake muscovite and garnet. Fine grains of cassiterite and columbite-tantalite are very rare (120). 151/500-II Qarbah, Laghman Province, 3434'14"N, 7018'17"E. Pegmatite dikes occur in Upper Triassic shale. They consist of slightly albitized oligoclase-microcline pegmatite with schorl, garnet, muscovite, and beryl, and of spodumene-albite pegmatite. Their thickness varies between 1.5 and 4 m and length between 70 and 400 m. Widely developed are columbite-tantalite and cassiterite (120).

Rare Earths Occurrences 52/600-II Khanneshin, Helmand Province, 3028'N, 6335'E. The occurrence is restricted to a volcanic carbonatite complex of Early Quaternary age occurring as a heavily eroded stratovolcano with a 40 sq km base. The volcanic body consists of tuff and agglomerate of extruded and intruded subvolcanic rocks. Compositionally, the rocks are predominantly carbonatites. These are soevite, barite-ankerite-fluorite carbonatite and its tuff, alvikite and its agglomerate and tuff. Leucite-phonolite is present in small amounts. The rocks are reported to be rich in thorium, rare earths, uranium, barium, strontium, fluorine, phosphorus, niobium, and lead (33, 155, 159).

Cadmium Deposits 99/400-IV Qalay Asad, see the section on lead and zinc.

4. Radioactive Elements
Uranium and Thorium Occurrences 121/500-I Surkh-i-Parse, see the section on copper. 51/600-II North Khanneshin, Helmand Province, 3029'40"N, 6335'E. A zone of shattered and silicified sandy clayey rocks, up to 25 wide and to 2 km long, carries 0.006-0.015% uranium and 0,002-0.01% thorium (19). 52/600-II Khanneshin, see the section on rare earths. 55/600-II South Khanneshin, Helmand Province, 302720"N, 6334'30"E. The occurrence is situated near the south-western part of the Khanneshin volcano dame of Early Quaternary age. The mineralization is localized in 185

Neogene sandstones cut by carbonatite dikes 0.5 m thick and 0.3-1.5 km long. It is confined to a steep fault of a SW strike that intersects radial fissures and carbonatite dikes. The sandstones in the fault zone had undergone hydrothermal and metasomatic transformation resulting in replacement of the original iron-clay-carbonate cement by dolomite-chlorite aggregate. Later, during the mineralization phase, uranium and uranium-bearing minerals were precipitated along vertical fissures of a NW strike. Four ore bodies are found in the area, one of them having workable parameters (length of over 300 m, thickness of 14.2 to 58 m, erosion exposure to a depth of 100 m). The richest uranium mineralization carrying more than 1% of the metal is commonly found in the zones of most intensive fracturing and in coarse-grained sandstones of high porosity. Oxidized zones, up to 5 m in thickness, carry unidentified uranium silicate, hydrouranite, uranyl phosphate and uranium-bearing gypsum. The average chemical composition of the ore (of 10 samples) is as follows: 46.53% SiO2, 11.65% CaO, 5.76% MgO, 2.67% Fe2O3, 1.14% FeO, 5.78% Al2O3, 0.53% TiO2, 0.05% MnO, 1:63% P2O5, 1.95% SO3 0.6% Na2O, 3.18% K2O, 0.47% SrO, 0.34% BaO, 17.24% loss on ignition. Magnetic uranium anomalies of the Khanneshin Volcano 50-75r/hr in intensity are related to early calcite carbonatites and are produced by pyrochlore present in scattered grains, schlieren and pockets. The pyrochlore contains 5.7% uranium. Magmatic thorium anomalies are produced by radioactive monazite disseminations in carbonatitic rocks of the early mineralization phase. All hydrothermal-metasomatic anomalies related to (a) barite-ankerite-calcite carbonatites, (b) carbonatite dykes of the earliest phase, and (c) shear zones in red sandstones at the exocontacts of carbonatite intrusions, are of the thorium nature. During the hydrothermal-metasomatic process, thorium, barium, strontium, rare earths, fluorine and lead were introduced to barite-ankerite-calcite carbonatites. The radioactivity was recorded to be 200500/hr. Thorium and rare earth minerals form accumulations, packets or stockworks responsible for the radioactivity of 1250 /hr. The principal carrier of thorium is torbastnaesite. Carbonatite dikes of the earliest phase contain up to 1% thorium, up to 0.5% zirconium and 1% lanthanum (19). Mechanical Mineralogical Haloes 148/200-IV The halo (75 sq km) is in the midstream of the Rode Chal River and its right-hand tributary basin. The area is made up of Ordovician, Silurian-Devonian and Lower Carboniferous shale and sandstone intruded by Early Carboniferous plagiogranite. Of 11 panning samples taken, eight contain single grains to 10 or more grains of thorite and uranothorite and also single grains of scheelite and gold (72). 22; 35/400-I See the sections on tin (22) and tungsten (35). 59/400-II See the section on tungsten. 4/500-II See the section on tin. 14/500-II The halo (70 sq km in area) is in the headwaters of the Darya-i-Kawush River. It is confined to a fault zone in Early Triassic granitic intrusions. Of eight samples, four manifested 10 or more grains, and three, single grains of thorite and uranothorite (72). 157/500-III The halo, occupying an area of 32 sq km, is at the headwaters of the Tangali River. The area is confined to Oligocene granite. Of 48 samples, 27 contain 3 to 150 g of monazite per cubic meter (42).

5. Precious Metals
Gold Deposits 34/200-IV Weka Dur [Vekadur], Badakhshan Province, 3730'50"N, 7035'37"E. The deposit is situated in an area underlain by Proterozoic schist and amphibolite cut by diabase and quartz keratophyre dikes. The main ore body is bed-shaped with an average thickness of 2 m and extension of 300 m. The body is traced for 110 m down the dip. It consists of silicified and ochreous brecciated auriferous schist. In addition to gold, the body contains silver (46.7 g/t), arsenopyrite, galena, chalcopyrite and scheelite. Gold reserves of C1 + C2 categories are 958.3 kg with an average gold content of 4.1 g/t (63). 165/500-III Zarkashon, Ghazni Province, 3253'-3255'N, 6741'-6742'E. The area is underlain by Middle Triassic dolomite and limestone, Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous deposits and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite. Gold and copper mineralization is localized in skarns and shattered zones that 186

are greatly affected by serpentinization, silicification and carbonatization. The skarns are of the garnetvesuvian-diopside and diopside types with phlogopite, epidote, and wollastonite. The principal ore minerals chalcopyrite, pyrite, sphalerite, chalcocite, bornite, and native gold are finely and irregularly disseminated in the ore bodies. Several auriferous zones were delineated, their width varying from 1 to 15 m and extension reaching 600 m. The zones enclose ore bodies of commercial value, which appear as lenses and nests 1.5 to 50 m in length and 0.5 to 3.8 m in thickness. The gold content varies between several tenth fractions of a gram to 10 g per tonne. The zones were followed by tunnelling to a depth of 80 m. The Category C1 + C2 reserves are 7.7 tonnes of gold (99). 256/500-III Kundalan, see the section on copper. Occurrences 22/200-IV Cadar [Kular], Badakhshan Province, 3736'33"N, 7035'50"E. Auriferous quartz stringers with disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite have been found in a fault zone, 20 to 70 m wide and 400 m long, in Early Triassic granodiorite. The stringers contain 0.1 to 1.6 g/t of gold (133). 26/200-IV Nesheb Dor Badakhshan Province 3735'53"N, 7036'31"E. Proterozoic gneiss encloses three quartz veins, 1.5 to 40 m in thickness and 120 to 360 m in length, carrying disseminations of galena, sphalerite, arsenopyrite, pyrite, and chalcopyrite. The gold content is 0.2 to 1.1 g/t (133). 29/200-IV Shengan, Badakhshan Province, 3730'20"-3738N, 7016'-7021'15"E. The gold occurrence, 110 sq km in area, is confined to the contact between a gabbroic rock intrusion and extrusive rocks and limestone of Early Carboniferous age. The contact zone encloses a great number of quartz veins and stringers from several centimeters to a fen meters in thickness and up to several tens of meters in extension. The largest of them 25 veins contain up to 0.4 g of gold per tonne (63). 37/200-IV Rishaw, Badakhshan Province, 3730'10"N, 7038'35"E, A quartz vein, 0.6 to 2.3 m thick and 400 m long, emplaced in Lower Carboniferous marmorized limestone assayed 5 g/t gold (133). 40/200-IV Chil-Konshar, Badakhshan Province, 3726'-3730'N, 7015'-7017'E. The occurrence is 21 sq km in area. Gold is found in quartz veins occurring in a fault zone in Lower Carboniferous volcanics. 40 veins, 0.2 to 6.5 m thick and 20 to 285 m long, have been located. Commercial gold concentrations have been ascertained in four veins, the gold content varying from 12.3 to 84.9 g/t. Total reserves of C1 + C2 categories in the four veins are 245 kg of gold, the average metal content being 16.1 g/t (133). 53/200-IV Nakhchir Par, Badakhshan Province, 3721'N, 7105'50"E. The gold occurrence is a zone of silicified and hornfelsed Upper Triassic-Middle Jurassic sandstone traced for 300 m. The silicification is accompanied by abundant dissemination of pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite, and magnetite, the last forming lenses up to 0.8 m thick. The most intensive mineralization have been established within a stretch 25 m long, with the following contents: 0.4 g of gold per tonne, up to 0.04% copper, and up to 0.06% tungsten (130). 77/200-IV Dogh-Galat, Badakhshan Province, 3707'35"N, 7021'E The area of 40 sq km includes five localities of gold mineralization. Gold is found in shattered zones, together with sulfides, and in thin quartz stringers in Early Carboniferous granodiorite. The gold content is 0.6 g/t (133). 80/200-IV Furmoragh I. Badakhshan Province, 3705'10"N, 7050'20"E. The occurrence (80 sq km in area) is confined to the exocontact of an Oligocene granite intrusion in Upper Permian-Upper Triassic sandstone and limestone. Gold is localized in garnetiferous and garnet-magnetite-skarns. The gold content is 3.3 g/t. At a small distance from the contact gold occurs in limonitized lenses and-at a greater distance (up to 5 km), in quartz-sulfide veins where its content decreases to 0.1 to 2.8 g/t. Apart from gold, the mineralized bodies carry up to 1.0% copper, 1-3% arsenic, 0.1% tungsten, and up to 0.5% molybdenum (133). 160/200-IV Pusida, Takhar Province, 3605'-3610'N 7008'-7011'E. The occurrence is localized in a shattered zone, 0.5 to 3 m, at places to 20 m in width and 150 m in length, enclosing quartz veins emplaced in a series of Proterozoic schist, amphibolite, and gneiss. Gold content in the quartz veins is from 0.1 to 1.1 g/t and in the shattered zone up to 3 g/t (81). 39; 44; 53/400-II See the section on copper (39, Ohankoshan; 44, Kushkak; 53, Tagab-Soni). 187

90/400-IV Chenar, see the section on tin. 93/500-III Khanabad, Ghazni Province, 3310'20"N, 6715'30"E. A skarn zone, 2 to 10 m in width and 400 m in extension, has been found at the contact between Lower-Middle Devonian deposits and Oligocene granitic rocks. The skarns bear disseminated pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and pyrite, and malachite films. Gold content is from 2 to 6 g/t, that of copper, 0.1 to 0,3%. occasionally up to 1% (42). 96/500-III Tamakap, Ghazni Province, 3310'50"N, 6746' 30"E. A fault zone, 600 m long and 2 to 15 m wide, in Ordovician siltstone and sandstone consists of silicified and sericitized rocks. The chalcopyrite and galena mineralization is uniformly distributed in quartz lenses and stringers assaying: 0.1 to 5.0 g of gold per tonne, 0.1 to 3.0% lead, and 0.1 to 1.0% zinc (17). 109/500-III Luman, Ghazni Province, 3306'20"N, 6740'10"E. In Oligocene granites are several quartz veins in a shear zone, up to 0.5 to 1.5 m thick and 60 m long, assaying 1.4 g of gold per tonne, 1% copper, and 0.05% lead (42). 134/500-III Kareztu, Ghazni Province, 3257'45"N, 6742'15"E. Gold mineralization is localized in skarn and serpentine stringers up to 5 cm thick and 1 to 6 m long, occurring in garnet-pyroxene skarn (0.5 to 5 x 70 m) found at the contact between the Upper Triassic brecciated marble and an intrusion of Late CretaceousPaleocene diorite. Gold content in the skarn is 1.2 to 8.8 g/t and in the serpentine stringers, 7.0 to 11.9 g/t (78). 136/500-II Belaw, Ghazni Province, 3257'50"N, 6733'20"E. The occurrence is confined to the contact between Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite dikes and Upper Permian marmorized limestone. The mineralization is found in skarn zones (1 x 10 m in size) and in zones of ochreous and serpentinized rocks (2 to 25 m wide and up to 250 m long). The ore minerals are pyrite, chalcopyrite, and native gold. The skarn and serpentinized rocks assay 0.1-0.8 g of gold per tonne and 0.1% copper. The ochreous zones carry 1-4 g of gold per tonne, 0.3% copper, and 0.5% zinc (42). 138/500-III Alaghzar, Ghazni Province, 3257'10''N, 6732'55"E. The mineralization is in a fault zone in Upper Permian marmorized limestone and Devonian quartzitic sandstone and conglomerate invaded by diorite intrusions of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene age. At the exocontacts of the diorite intrusions, there are skarn lenses, 0.1 to 11 m thick and up to 100 m long, and zones of serpentinized and limonitized rocks with sulfides, reaching 70-100 m in width and 500 m in extension. The skarns assay from 0.01 to 1.6 g/t gold. In zones of serpentinization enriched with chalcopyrite and hematite, gold content amounts to 35 g/t, that of copper being 0.1 to 3.1%. The limonitized limestone assays not more than 0.2 g of gold per tonne: in patches enclosing streaks of serpentine with chalcopyrite gold content increases to 35 g/t (42). 141/500-III Mirzaka, Ghazni Province, 3256'37"N, 6741'46"E. Mineralized zones extend along the contact between Upper Triassic carbonate rocks and Upper Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate formations invaded by a diorite body of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene age. The mineralized zones, 1 to 4 m thick and tens of meters long, are imbedded in the country rocks. Assay values of the samples taken from the walls of ancient workings (selvages) are 20 g of gold per tonne, 33 g of silver per tonne, up to 0.12% copper, up to 16.52% lead, up to 14.6% zinc, and up to 0.89% tin. Drill holes did not manifest high values at depth. The essay values of cores were 0.4 g of gold per tonne, 0.05% copper, 0,17-0.84% lead, less than 0.07% zinc and not more than 0.02% tin (100). 142/500-III Bashargar, Ghazni Province, 3256'46"N, 6740'43"E. The occurrence is at the contact between Upper Triassic marmorized carbonate rocks end Late Cretaceous - Paleocene diorite stocks. There are four lenses of diopside-vesuvianite skarn 1 m in thickness and 50 to 80 m in extension. Gold content is from 2.9 to 12.3 g/t. A higher content reaching 43 g of gold per tonne has been reported from the limonitized limestone (78). 146/500-III Utqul Ghazni Province 3255'50"N 6733'40"E. Gold mineralization is localized in a fault zone in marmorized and dolomitized limestone of Late Permian age. The zone, having the strike length of 300 m, is 0.5 m wide. Gold is associated with sulfides in slightly ochreous rocks forming patches, 1 to 5 x 5 m in size. The highest gold content is 11 g/t (78). 154/500-III Anguray, Ghazni Province, 3255'N, 6732'10"E. The mineralized zone is in contact between Upper Permian carbonate rocks and quartz diorite of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene age. The zone consists of garnetiferous, garnet pyroxene, and pyroxene skarns up to 1 m in thickness and several tens of meters in 188

length. The mineralization consists in scarce disseminations of chalcopyrite, bornite, and covellite. Gold content varies from 0.3 to 143 g/t. In addition, the rocks carry up to 0.6% copper, up to 3.7% lead and up to 2.6% zinc (78). 156/500-III Bala, Ghazni Province, 3254'30"N, 6732'40"E. The mineralization is localized in a fault zone in upper Permian limestone, where the rock is intensely brecciated and ochreous. The zone, 0.5 to 12 m wide and 140 m long, assays between 0.8 and 34 g/t gold (42). 158/500-III Dynamite, Ghazni Province, 3254'38"N,, 6741'01"E. Zones of shattered and ochreous rocks, 0.6 to 1.2 m wide, have been found in marmorized limestone of Middle Triassic age. Samples taken from the walls of ancient openings yielded 4.0 to 70 g of gold per tonne. The limonitized limestone penetrated by boreholes at depths of 40-43 m and 70-77 m carry less than 0.3 g of gold per tonne (100). 159/500-III Sufi Kademi, Ghazni Province, 3254'21"N, 6741'38"E. The irregular gold mineralization occurs in a bed of skarnified conglomerate largely made up of limestone pebbles which occurs in between Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous hornfelsed rocks. The conglomerate assayed from traces to 7 g/t gold. Samples collected from the walls of an ancient opening assayed 2.5 to 4 g/t gold (100). 160/500-III Chah-i-Surkh, Ghazni Province, 3254'22''N, 6740'24"E. A shattered zone, 0.2 to 2.5 m wide and 100 m long, in slightly marmorized limestone of Middle Triassic age, mineralized by hematite and limonite, assays 0.6 to 3.2 g/t gold (100). 500-III Khinjaktu, Ghazni Province, 3254'N, 6744'E. Gold mineralization occurs in skarn at the contact between Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous marmorized limestone and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite. The skarn zone, 200 m in strike length, assays 1.8 g/t gold and 0.65 to 1.02% copper (100). 164/500-III Lashkar-Qala, Ghazni Province, 3253' 40''N; 6731'05"E. A fault zone in Upper Permian dolomitized limestone bears pyrite and chalcopyrite disseminations, malachite and azurite coatings, and occasionally native gold. The rock contains 0.1 to 19.4 g of gold per tonne (average 1.1 g/t), and 2.4 to 3.5% copper (42). 166/500-III Zardak, Ghazi Provinces, 3253'40"N, 6744'05"E. The mineralization is confined to a series of faults in Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous limestone with brecciated limestone zones and scarce disseminations of pyrite, chalcopyrite, and occasionally gold. The zones, up to 1 m wide and 50 to 140 m long, contain 1.2-19.4 g/t gold (100). 167/500-III 16 Gulakhel, Ghazni Province, 3253'15"N, 6741'20"E. A zone of contact between Upper Jurassic - Lower Cretaceous limestones and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite stocks encloses skarns, 1 to 1.5 m wide and 50 to 70 m long, bearing disseminated chalcopyrite, magnetite, bornite, covellite, and pyrite. Gold content is 4.4 g/t (78). 180/500-III Tanga, Ghazni Province, 3247'30"N, 6725'30"E. The mineralization is localized in a shattered and silicified zone in Silurian siltstone. The mineralized zone extends for over 1 km, its width being 40 to 45 m. Gold content varies between 1.3 and 15.3 g/t, and copper content, between 0.4 and 1.57% (17). 223/500-III Ludin, Zabul Province, 3235'08"N, 6631'47"E. The mineralization in a zone of brecciated and strongly ferruginized Lower-Middle Devonian marble, 50 to 70 m wide and 100 m long, assayed 13.4 g of gold per tonne, up to 0.16% copper, up to 2.6% lead and up to 6.35% zinc (116). 236/500-III Ekrak, Zabul Province, 3230'57"N, 6640'10"E. The mineralization has been found in skarns at the contact between Oligocene granite and Ordovician limestone. These are garnet-diopside, garnetiferous and vesuvianite-bearing skarns extending for 10 to 60 m and having a width of 1 to 4 m. The ore minerals are hematite, chalcopyrite, covellite, bornite, and pyrite, which are either disseminated or form veinlets. The contents are: 11.3 g of gold per tonne, 0.09 to 1.88% copper, up to 0.05% lead, up to 0.5% zinc, and up to 0.1% tin. The occurrence was mined in old times (42). 239/500-III Kunagh, see the section on copper. 243/500-III Daryabhar, Zabul Province, 3227'22"N, 6635"E. The occurrence is confined to a large remnant of the deposits lying on top of an Oligocene granite intrusion, The remnant is built up of marble, marmorized limestone, and quartzite-like sandstone of Late Devonian age. There are four zones of skarn rocks with 189

sulfides. The width of the zones varies from 9 to 70 m, and the length, from 100 to 900 m. The gold content is variable from traces to 5.8 g/t. The copper content is from 0.01 to 0.7%. In places abundant in sulfides the contents increase to 45.8 g of gold per tonne and 8.42% copper (98). 246/500-III Sare Sarkh, see the section on copper. 247/500-III Buzgala II, Zabul [Uruzgan] Province, 3225'13"N, 6635'46"E. Lens-shaped bodies of magnetite-ludwigite and serpentine-diopside skarns with scarce chalcopyrite disseminations have been found in a zone of contact between Oligocene granitic rocks and Carboniferous - Lower Permian limestone. The thickness of the bodies varies from 3 to 12 m and the length from 15 to 200 m. The gold content is from 0.1 to 1.3 to 8 g/t, the copper content, from 0.16 to 1.42% (98). 250/500-III Assanak, Zabul Province, 3222'04"N, 6634'25"E. The occurrence has been found in a zone of heavily brecciated, pyritized and marmorized limestones of Carboniferous - Early Permian age. The zone, 1 to 2 m vide and 150 m long, assayed 2.2 g of gold per tonne, 0.26% copper, 1% zinc, and 2.96% lead (98). 251/500-III Tugra, Zabul Province, 3221'26"N, 6634'03"E. The occurrence is confined to a zone of brecciated rocks with sulfide mineralization, 5 to 6 m wide and 250 m long in terrigenous strata of VendianCambrian age. The contents are: 0.1 to 6.5 g of gold per tonne, 0.06 to 2.03% copper, 0.4 to 14.15% lead, and 0.05-5-35% zinc (116). 252/500-III Garang, Zabul Province, 3221'N, 6635'E. The mineralization is localized in a zone of skarnified and serpentinized rock, up to 3 m in width and 250 m long, at the contact between Vendian-Cambrian limestones and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite stocks. The ore minerals are chalcopyrite, chalcocite, and pyrite. More are scarce fine gold flakes. The maximum content of gold is 36 g/t, the average being 5-8 g/t, and that of copper is 2.63% (1-2% on the average). The occurrence was mined in ancient times (116). 254/500-III Exposure 543, Zabul Province, 3220'23''N, 6635'16"E. A zone of brecciated, calcitized, and serpentinized rock with disseminated chalcopyrite and chrysocolla films extends for 100 m in VendianCambrian limestone. The width of the zone is 1.5 to 2.5 m. Gold content is variable between 9.3 and 13.2 g/t. The rock carries 1.03 to 3.6% copper, 0.1% zinc and 0.002% bismuth (42). 271/500-III Bagwan, see the section on copper. 278/500-III Kadalak, Zabul Province, 3207'20"N, 6620'09"E. The occurrence consists of two mineralized zones localized in Upper Triassic limestone. The width of the zones varies from 0.2 to 2.5 m, the extension being 90 m and 200 m, respectively. The ore is brecciated, consisting of limestone and hematite fragments cemented by quartz-carbonate material with disseminated pyrite, chalcopyrite, bornite, chalcocite, galena, and hematite. The average contents are: 70 g of gold per tonne, 2.5% lead, 3.0% zinc, and 0.87% copper (42). 281/500-III Argasu- see the section on copper. 282/500-III Hasanzay, Kandahar Province, 3203'25"N, 6612'16"E. The mineralization is localized in garnet-diopside skarn occurring in a fault zone at the contact between Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite intrusions and Upper Permian marmorized limestone. The skarn bodies are from 0.3 to 0.4 m in width and 300 m in extension. The ore minerals are disseminated pyrite and chalcopyrite. The skarn bodies bear 3.8 g of gold per tonne, 0.84% copper, 0.1% combined lead, zinc, and bismuth, 0.05% tungsten, and 0.002% of silver (42). 283; 284/500-III See the section on copper (283, Charsu; 284, Exposure 7273) 4/600-II Zanda I, see the section on copper. 6/600-II Jaffur Qalay, Kandahar Province, 3155'15"N, 6538'17"E. The mineralization is confined to quartz veins emplaced in Eocene-Oligocene volcanic rocks. The largest vein, 1.2 m in thickness and 120 m in length, assayed 2.1 to 9.6 g/t gold (42). 27/600-II Kandahar, Kandahar Province, 3140'N, 6545'E. Gold mineralization is localized in quartz veins and stringers occurring in Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous altered carbonate rocks and basic volcanics. The gold content is not more than 3-4 g/t. Gold was worked out to a great extent in ancient time (78). 190

Showings 15/200-II Badakhshan Province, 3813'12"N, 7042'24"E. A shear zone with pyrite and galena disseminations has been found in bleached limonitized volcanics of Early Carboniferous age. The width of the zone is 8 m, and the length, 280 m. The zone bears traces of gold (72). 25/200-II Badakhshan Province, 3807'40"N, 7118'E. Fragments of Ordovician shale enclose quartz-calcite stringers and pyrite disseminations. The stringers bear 0.3 g of gold per tonne and less than 0.1% copper (130). 14/200-IV Badakhahan Province, 3742'40"N, 7056'40"E. Brecciated and limonitized rocks are found in Proterozoic schist and Silurian-Devonian sandstone with interbedded marmorized limestone. The rocks contain up to 0.6 g of gold per tonne and hundredth fractions of one per cent copper, zinc, arsenic, tin, and tungsten (130). 20/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3737'07"N, 7029'10"E. A shattered and limonitized zone with quartz stringers in Early Carboniferous granodiorite contains 0.1 g of gold per tonne (133). 24/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3735'35"N, 7026'30''S. A quartz vein 1.2 m in thickness and up to 100 m in extension, emplaced in Proterozoic gneiss, carries 0.1 g of gold per tonne (133). 27/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3734'30"N, 7027'30"E. A zone of brecciation and limonitization, 10-15 m wide and 70 m long, in Proterozoic gneiss contains 0.1 g of gold per tonne (133). 54/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3721'05"N, 7108'42"E. Fragments of silicified rocks and quartz are found in an area underlain by Upper Triassic-Middle Jurassic sandstone and shale and Oligocene granitic rocks. Quartz fragments contain 3.0 g of gold per tonne, 1.06 copper, and hundredth fractions of one per cent arsenic, silver, and tin (130). 55/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3719'20"N, 7101'40"E. A zone of hydrothermally altered rocks, 27 m wide and 60 m long, is found in Upper Triassic-Middle Jurassic shale. The ore minerals are pyrite, pyrrhotite, and magnetite. The rocks bear 0.1 to 0.6 g of gold per tonne, up to 1% copper, and hundredth fractions of one per cent zinc, arsenic, and tungsten (130). 61/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3716'10"N, 7042'08'E. A zone of brecciated micaceous Proterozoic schist, 70 to 100 m in width and 200 m in extension, encloses a great number of quartz-feldspar stringers bearing 0.1 g of gold per tonne (133). 62/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3715'30"N, 7038'10"E. Altered granite of Lower Triassic age encloses small quartz-feldspar stringers bearing 0.1 g of gold per tonne (133). 63/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3715'30"N, 7042'20"E. A zone of ochreous and leached rock 7 m wide extends for 150 m in Proterozoic amphibolite. The gold content is 0.1 g/t (133). 69/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3711'45"N, 7040'30"E. A zone of ochreous Proterozoic gneiss and amphibolite, 70-80 m in width, and 100 m in extension, encloses quartz stringers and nest-like concentrations of galena, arsenopyrite, chalcopyrite, and pyrite. The mineralized patches carry 0.1 g of gold per tonne (133). 70/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3711'22"N, 7042'41"E. Gold occurs in the talus slopes of Proterozoic ochreous and leached gneiss, its content being up to 0.1 g/t (133). 74/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3708'00'N, 7040'45"E. Tremolitic skarn, 1 m thick and 15 m long, at the contact between Proterozoic marble and Early Triassic granodiorite, has been found to bear traces of gold (133). 78/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3706'55"N, 7043'40"E. A zone of cataclastic migmatite, 1.5 to 2.0 m wide and 100 m long, in Proterozoic schist, carries 1 g of gold per tonne (133). 144/200-IV Takhar Province, 3619'06"N, 7016'10"E. The mineralization is localized in zones of hydrothermally altered schist, marble, and amphibolite of Proterozoic age. The zones, first few meters in width, assay 0.1-0.3 g/t gold (81).

191

76/500-III Ghazni Province, 3321'15"N, 6719'30"E. A sample taken from Proterozoic shattered sandstone has been found to contain 0.3 g of gold per tonne (42). 84/500-III Ghazni Province, 3315'25"N, 6724'20"E. A zone of altered rock has been found at the contact between Carboniferous-Lower Permian limestone, sandstone, siltstone and Oligocene granite. The zone, 5 to 6 m in width and 200 m in extension, assays 1.1 g/t gold (42). 114/500-III Ghazni province 3302'40"N 6717'25"E. A zone of shattered, limonitized, and silicified granite of Oligocene age, 30 m in width, carries 0.3 g of gold per tonne (42). 115/500-III Ghazni Province, 332'40"N, 6738'30"E. Lenses of intensely limonitized rock enclosed in Lower-Middle Devonian silicified limestone contain 0.2 g of gold per tonne and 0.03% copper (42). 125/500-III Ghazni Province, 3300'05"N, 6736'20"E. Hematite veinlets 0.5 to 2.0 cm in thickness and several meters is extension, rich occur in Upper Permian limestone, carry up to 2.5 g of gold per tonne and 0.05% copper (42). 171/500-III Ghazni Province, 3251'15"N, 6723'15"E. Ten quartz veins, 0.3 m in thickness and up to 20 m in length, emplaced in Ordovician schist, contain 0.6 g of gold per tonne and up to 0.3% copper (42). 193/500-III Zabul Province, 3244'26"N, 6704'33"E. A series of quartz veins, 0.01 to 0.05 m thick and 25 to 40 m long, have been found in Proterozoic metamorphosed sandstone. The veins contain at a maximum 59.3 g of gold per tonne and 4.89% copper (108). 197/500-III Zabul Province, 3244'32"N, 6703'09"E. A zone of hematitized rock 1 m wide extends for 75 m along a fracture in Silurian sandstone. The gold content is 3.4 g/t (108). 198/500-III See the section on copper. 205/500-III Ghazni Province, 3242'40"N, 6721'50"E. The mineralization is localized in phlogopite-garnetdiopside and magnetite-bearing skarns, 0.1 to 1.5 m in thickness, found at the contact between VendianCambrian limestone and stocks of Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite. The skarns contain at a maximum 0.8 g of gold per tonne and 0.1% copper (42). 216/500-III Zabul Province, 3218'27"N, 6639'30"E. A quartz lens, 5 x 7 m in size, has been found at the contact between Upper Devonian limestone and Oligocene granodiorite. Quartz bears 0.4 g of gold per tonne and 0.13% copper (42). 221/500-III Zabul Province, 3235'52"N, 6640'09"E. A quartz vein, 0.9 m in width and 40 m in length, emplaced in Oligocene granite, carries 5.6 g of gold per tonne, 0.97% copper, and 0.005% bismuth (42). 224/500-III Zabul Province, 3235'28"N, 6646'09"E. A quartz vein, 0.1 m thick and 15 m long, in a zone of contact between Ordovician quartzite and Oligocene granite, contains 4 g of gold per tonne and 0.05% copper (42). 226/500-III Zabul Province, 3234'11"N, 6645'35"E. Quartz veins, 0.05-0.1 m thick and 1 to 5 m long, emplaced in a fault zone at the contact between Proterozoic sandstone with hornfels and Oligocene granite, carry 0.4 g of gold per tonne and 0.13% copper (42). 228/500-III Zabul Province, 3233'31"N, 6633'29"E. A zone of heavily ochreous, serpentinized, and silicified rock has been found at the contact between Oligocene granite and an inlier of Upper Permian dolomite. The zone, 1.5 to 3 m wide and 100 m long, assays 0.3-1.9 g/t gold, 0.1% copper, and 0.2% zinc (42). 234/500-III Zabul Province, 3231'48"N, 6647'28"E. A silicified zone having a width of more than 10 m and a length of 1.3 km has been found in Proterozoic schistose sandstone. The content of gold is 0.6 g/t, and of copper, 0.06% (42). 237/500-III Zabul Province, 3230'07"N, 6643'55"E. Two quartz veins, not more than 0.1 m in thickness and 15 m in extension, are emplaced in Proterozoic sandstone at its contact with Oligocene granite. The veins assayed to 4.4 g/t gold and up to 0.1% copper (42). 238/500-III See the section on copper. 192

240/500-III Zabul Province, 3229'13"N, 6641'03"E. A skarn zone is developed at the contact between Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite stocks and Vendian-Cambrian limestone. The width of the zone is 0.4 m, and the length, 500 m. The skarn assayed 0.2 g/t gold and up to 0.13% copper. Associated with the skarn zone is a zone of hornfels which is up to 100 m in width and several hundred meters in extension. The hornfels contain 0.4 g/t gold and 0.03% Copper (42). 259/500-III Zabul Province, 3217'N, 6634'37"E. A zone of brecciation and silicification extends for 300 m in Proterozoic sandstone. It contains 0.4 g, occasionally 0.9 g of gold per tonne (99). 266/500-III See the section on copper. 259/500-III Zabul Province, 3213'27"N, 6637'10"E. Skarn has been found at the contact between Upper Permian limestone and a diorite intrusion of Late Cretaceous -Paleocene age. Chalcopyrite (in 2 x 3-cm nests), malachite, and azurite have been found in the skarn. The content of gold is 9.6 g/t and of copper 0.1 to 0.3%, more rarely 0.86 to 1.03% (42). 270/500-III Zabul Province, 3213'17"N, 6626'20"E. Zones of brecciated rock with disseminated hematite, magnetite, and less frequently with pyrite and chalcopyrite occur at the contacts between Late CretaceousPaleocene diorite intrusions and Silurian limestones. The zones carry traces to 32 g of gold per tonne, 0.13 to 0.27% copper, up to 0.1% lead, and 0.05 to 0.5% zinc (42). 285/500-III Zabul Province, 3202'10"N, 6621'34"E. A shattered zone, 0.5 to 1.0 m wide and 50-60 m in strike length, in Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic limestone, contains 2.2 g of gold per tonne (42). 10/700-I Kandahar Province, 3153'38"N, 6601'17"E. A shattered zone extending for 40 m in Lower Cretaceous limestone consists of ochreous and calcitized rock bearing 4.6 g of gold per tonne (42).

Placer Gold Commercial Placers 23/200-IV Samti, Takhar Province, 3734'-3736'N, 6949'-6954'E. The placer is situated in an alluvial valley, its length being 8 km, width, 900 to 9,700 m and average depth of excavation, 27.9 m. The placer consists of two alluvial horizons, the lower, composed of boulders, sand, and pebbles and varying in thickness from 25 to 45 m, and the upper, consisting of loam and sand and varying between 5 and 20 m in thickness. The formation of the Panj placer took a long time. Gold is derived from reworked Middle Pleistocene auriferous deposits and from the cement of Lower Pliocene conglomerates whose outcrops are observed at the sides of the valley. It is likely that another source of gold that has accumulated in the alluvium of the river was the veins found in the Dawang creek basin. In plan, gold accumulations are distributed in patches and streams, and in cross-section, in patches and beds. The highest concentrations of gold have been found in the central part of the placer. The auriferous bed rests on the bedrock and eluvium, repeating on the whole the bedrock relief in the section. At places it passes to a hanging auriferous bed. The gold content of the bed varies from 100 mg/cu m to 30-40 g/cu m, the thickness of the bed varying between 0.25 and 4 m Lithologically, the bed does not differ from the overburden, its upper limit being determined only by sampling data. The overburden is also auriferous, with gold content varying from several mg/cu m to 1000 mg/cu m. There are three workable locations in the area, the Right Hand, the Central, and the Marginal. The Right Hand Placer is 5.02 km in length and 90 to 490 m in width, averaging 493 mg/cu m gold per rock mass under the average excavation depth of 30.8 m. The Central Placer consists of two pay streaks, the distribution of gold between the two being relatively uniform. The placer is 3.8 km in length and 80 to 450 m in width, averaging 22.8 mg/cu m gold. The Marginal Placer is situated at the left side of the valley. There are two workable pay streaks, the right and the left. The right streak is 1.8 km in length, 80 to 160 m is width and 258 mg/cu m in average gold content. The left streak is 1.48 km in length, 80 to 280 m in width and 375 mg/cu m in average gold content.

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The gold from the Samti Placer is yellow, dark yellow, and light yellow, perfectly or well rounded, the average carat value being 955.2. Granulometrically, most of the gold particles exceed 1 mm in diameter (55). 31/200-IV Nuraba, Hasar, and Anjir, Takhar Province, 3729'-3736'N, 6949'-6954'E. All the three placers are identical in the origin, geology, and pattern of gold distribution. Where the placers are founds the valleys are U-shaped, the sides being very steep. The width of the valley floors varies from 80 to 120 m in the Hasar, from 50 to 100 m in the Nuraba, and from 50 to 150 m in the Anjir Valleys. All the placers are of the alluvialvalley type. They are composed of sandy-clayey rocks variable in thickness between 7 and 14 m. The lengths of the placers are: 4.6 km in the Hasar, 3.8 km in the Nuraba and 2.3 km in the Anjir Valleys, the widths being 30 to 100 m, 10 to 50 m and 20 to 70 m, respectively. All the three placers are simple in structure; the auriferous beds resting on the bed-rock everywhere. Lithologically and granulometrically, the auriferous bed is indistinguishable from the overburden, the limit between them being traceable only by sampling data. The concentration of gold in the bed is not uniform, varying from 90-100 mg/cu m to 19 g/cu m across and along the bed. The overburden is also auriferous, the Au content being variable between several milligrams per cubic meter and 300 mg/cu m The washing capacity of the auriferous sand and the overburden is good, 80 per cent of gold being in particles larger than 1 cm across including 24 per cent of gold particles exceeding 3 mm. The gold reserves estimated according to the C1 +C2 Categories are 437 kg. in the Hasar and 210 kg. in the Nuraba Placer, and, according to the C2 category, 155 kg in the Anjir Placer (56, 118). Non-Commercial Placers 25/200-IV Chah-i-Ab, Takhar Province, 3725'N, 6949'E. (the central part). The placer is situated in a valley 30 km long and, 3 to 4 km wide. Gold occurs in Middle Quaternary conglomerate. In the Nuraba River basin, the thickness of the auriferous bed is from 1 to 3 m and the gold content is 100 to 760 mg/cu m. In the Anjir valley the bed is 1 to 2.5 m thick containing 123 to 2,716 mg/cu m gold. The gold-bearing bed rests on the bedrock. In addition to the main bed, there are auriferous patches scattered vertically throughout the section, the largest gold content in these reaching 1,527 mg/cu m. The samples taken from the walls of the ancient adits have yielded 470 mg of gold per cubic meter (55). 28/200-IV Jar Boshi, Takhar Province, 37331N, 69421E. (the central part). The placer is of a complex structure. It is a combination of small channel-bed, river-bar, and terrace placers, the total area measuring 6 x 1 to 1.5 km. As evidenced by the locals, the placer has been worked to a depth of 1.5 m, the average gold value being 100 to 600 mg/cu m. As reported by Dr. Abdullah Nasseri (1942) the gold content of the placer is 1,500 mg per cubic meter (55). 147/500-III Zarkashon, Ghazni Province, 3254'30"N, 6744'E. (the central part). The placer is of the valley type, with the auriferous bed of a complex structure resting on the bedrock. The total length of the placer is 3 km and the width 200 m, the thickness of the gold-bearing bed being from 1.2 to 2.5 m. The thickness of the overburden varies from 1.5 to 11 m. The reserves estimated at the head, of the placer, according to the C1 + C2 categories, are 116.0 kg of gold under the average Au content of 1,111 mg/cu m. The total volume of the rock mass in the auriferous beds is estimated to be 104.4 thousand cubic meters for the average thickness of the bed of 2.0 m and the extension of 1 km (100). Mechanical Mineralogical Haloes 2/200-II See the section on tungsten. 11/200-II The 115 sq km area of the halo within the Shinadi and Sanglech River basins includes exposures of Early Carboniferous volcanics and gabbro-diorite and sedimentary deposits of Ordovician, Middle-Late Carboniferous, and Early Permian ages. 22 samples out of 27 showed single colours of gold (72). 19/200-II; 200-IV Basin of the Ghumay, Begaw and Kuf Rivers and the Shewa River mouth. The halo, 500 sq km in area, is found in metamorphic and sedimentary rocks ranging in age from Proterozoic to Early Cretaceous, which are invaded by Oligocene granite intrusions. 50 samples out of 71 showed single colours each to 0.4 g of gold per cubic meter and 56 samples revealed lead and scheelite in the amounts ranging from single grains in a sample to 0.9 g/cu m. Small amounts of bismuthinite, bismuthite, and cinnabar have also been found (130). 4/200-IV Area of 80 sq km in the lower course of the Chasnud River and the, basin of the Yarkh River. The halo is restricted to Oligocene granite and Proterozoic metamorphic rocks, which enclose zones of intense 194

limonitization and hematite lenses. 16 samples out of 35 showed single colours and one sample has yielded 0.18 g of gold per cubic meter. Single grains of bismuthinite have been found in 10 samples (130). 5/200-IV The halo covers an area of 150 sq km in the Shewa River lower course underlain by Proterozoic and Ordovician sandy-shaly sequence intruded by Oligocene granite. Of 27 samples, 21 showed gold, 18 scheelite, four bismuthinite, and one cinnabar, all in single grains (130). 10/200-IV Zarnudor and Rawenjab river basins. The halo, 300 sq km in area, is associated with Paleozoic and Neogene deposits. 65 samples have yielded 0.12 to 0.35 g of gold per cubic meter (133). 11/200-IV Headwaters of the Zarnudor River and the right hand tributaries of the Rawenjab River. The halo covers an area of 130 sq km which includes exposures of Proterozoic metamorphics and granite with a great number of quartz veins. Single colours of gold have been found in 22 samples (133). 12/200-IV Shewa River middle course. The halo covers an area of 50 sq km underlain by Proterozoic, Silurian-Devonian, and Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic sequences. 14 samples out of the 17 collected showed single grains of gold, scheelite, bismuthinite, galena, and cerussite (130). 13/200-IV Golom River basin. The halo (300 sq km in area) is associated with Proterozoic, PermianTriassic, Jurassic, and Eocene-Oligocene formations. 36 samples out of 74 showed single colours and one sample 0.43 g of gold per cubic meter. In addition, single grains of scheelite, bismuthinite, bismuthite, galena, cinnabar, and cassiterite have been found (130). 16/200-IV Headwaters of the Rawenjab, Seh Ab and Ragh rivers. The halo area of 150 sq km includes exposures of Proterozoic metamorphic rocks, Ordovician, Lower Carboniferous and Neogene deposits, and Early Triassic granodiorite. 20 samples out of 50 have yielded 0.1 to 6.1 g of gold per cubic meter (133). 21/200-IV Middle course of the Shewa River. The halo, 150 sq km in area, is confined to the formations ranging in age from Proterozoic to Early Cretaceous. 10 samples out of 32 showed single colours of gold and 18 samples single grains of bismuthite (129). 32/200-IV Pash Darrah, Mucha Darrah and Ab-i-Dawang River basins. The halo area of 700 sq km is underlain by Lower Carboniferous volcanics and Pliocene sandstone, siltstone and conglomerate. Of 67 samples, 42 showed single colours and to 10 or more colours of gold per sample, and five 0.02 to 0.2 g of gold per cubic meter (72). 46/200-IV Right-hand bank of the Kokcha River and the head waters of the right-hand tributary of the Yaftal River. The halo, 14 sq km in area, is restricted to Pliocene conglomerate. 10 or more colours of gold have been found in each of four samples (133). 52/200-IV Middle course of the Nakhchir Par River and the headwaters of the Pilo River. The halo covers an area of 230 sq km which includes exposures of Upper Triassic-Middle Jurassic: deposits and Oligocene granitic rocks. 20 samples out of 45 showed single colours of gold each. Bismuthinite and bismuthite have been found in single grains in 28 samples and up to 0.1 to 0.2 g cu m in four samples (129). 56/200-IV Valley of the Kokcha River right-hand tributary. The halo, 25 sq km in area, is confined to Pliocene conglomerate and Lower Carboniferous plagiogranite, Gold has been found in five samples in the amounts varying from single colours in a sample to 0.17 g/cu m (133). 81/200-IV Left-hand bank of the Zardew River. The halo (20 sq km) is restricted to Archean gneiss. As much as 50 colours of gold have been found in each of four samples out of seven (41). 96/200-IV See the section on tin (96) and tungsten (98). 99/200-IV Basin of the Jakhan River and the headwaters of the Bozurg River. The halo (290 sq km) occurs in Archean marble and gneiss. Of 64 samples, 17 showed single colours of gold each and 18 single grains of cassiterite in each. Most of the samples contain some scheelite and galena (41). 137/200-IV Dehgal River basin. The halo (100 sq km in, area). is associated with quartzitic and shaly rocks of Late Triassic, Carboniferous, and Permian ages. Six samples out of 20 showed single colours of gold (41). 195

143/200-IV Kokcha River basin. The halo (300 sq km in area) is confined to Archean metamorphic rocks and Lower Carboniferous volcanic and sedimentary rocks. 39 samples out of 104 showed single colours of gold per sample, and seven have yielded 40 to 500 g of gold per cubic meter (110). 162/200-IV/500-II The Anjoman River basin. The halo covers an area of 100 sq km underlain by Proterozoic, Ordovician, Lower Permian, and Lower Carboniferous formations which are cut by a'series of faults. Single colours of gold have been found in each of 10 samples (41). 18/400-I Interfluve of the Darrah-i-Khush Rabat and Ab-i-Chobl Rivers. The halo (20 sq km) is associated with Upper Permian and Lower Triassic terrigenous-carbonate rocks. Ten samples showed single colours of gold each (10). 25/400-I Interfluve of the Rod-i-Khush and Rode Syahab Rivers. The halo covering an area of 200 sq km includes exposures of Proterozoic metamorphic and granitic rocks and Lower Triassic, Eocene, Neogene, and Quaternary sediments. Gold has been found in single colours to 10 or more colours in 20 samples. (10). 2/400-I Maluma area. The halo (45 sq km) is associated with Eocene terrigenous deposits, Eocene-Oligocene volcanogenic formations and Quaternary deposits. One sample showed 17 colours and each of seven samples single colours of gold (10). 40/400-I See the section on tin. 41/400-I North side of the Kohe Taraqa Mountain. The halo covers an area of 200 sq km underlain by Lower-Middle Jurassic carbonate-terrigenous deposits which locally enclose quartz and quartz-carbonate veins. Gold has been found in the amounts ranging from two to 39 colours in five samples (43). 12/400-II Murghab River right-hand bank. The halo area (12 sq km) includes exposures of Upper Cretaceous Paleocene terrigenous-carbonate deposits intruded by Miocene diorite porphyry. Three samples showed single colours of gold each, with associated cinnabar, cerussite, and sphalerite (44). 14/400-II - Murghab River middle course. The halo (an area of 600 sq km) is restricted to Upper Cretaceous, Paleocene and Eocene deposits. 45 samples out of 70 showed single colours of gold each, with associated cerussite, less frequently with cinnabar and bismuthinite (44). 15/400-II Murghab River right-hand bank. The halo covers an area of 150 sq km underlain by Lower Cretaceous and Upper-Cretaceous-Paleocene deposits intruded by Miocene granite-porphyry. Each of 12 samples out of 21 showed single colours of gold with associated cerussite and galena (44). 17/400-II The halo (20 sq km in area) has been outlined in Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene limestone. It is restricted to the Sehkoh occurrence. Gold has been reported in single colours to 59 colours from three samples (44). 22/400-II See the section on mercury. 29/400-II Kharbed River basin. The halo covers an area of 600 sq km underlain by Lower Triassic terrigenous deposits and Upper Cretaceous carbonate formations intruded by stock-shaped granite-porphyry bodies of Miocene age. Gold has been found in single colours to 80 colours in 41 samples out of 51, with associated cerussite, pyromorphite, and galena. Less frequently some scheelite and cinnabar have been noted (44). 37/400-II Right-hand bank of the Hari Rod River. The halo covers an area of 700 sq km underlain by Lower Carboniferous, Lower Permian, Lower Triassic, and Pliocene deposits intruded by Early Carboniferous granodiorite. Bach of 70 samples showed single colours of gold. Single grains of lead minerals have been found in 160 samples, of cinnabar, in 44 and of barite, in all the samples (10). 43/400-II; 400-IV See the section on lead and zinc. 46/400-II; 500-I Drainage basins of the Hari Rod and Keshlaw rivers. The halo (320 sq km) is restricted to Proterozoic, Lower Carboniferous, Eocene., and Pliocene rocks out-cropping in the Hari Rod Fault Zone. 0f 71 samples, each of 27 showed single colours of gold, 32 have single grains of lead minerals, and 14 those of cinnabar (75). 47/400-II Hari Rod River basin. The halo covering an area of 250 sq km, is elongated along the Hari Rod Fault, where Lower Carboniferous, Pliocene, and Quaternary deposits crop out. Gold has been found in the 196

amounts ranging from single colours and to 10 or more colours in 15 samples. 22 samples showed single grains to 10 or mare grains of cinnabar. Less frequent are cassiterite and lead minerals (75). 87/400-II; 400-IV See the section on lead and zinc. 5/400-III See the section on tin. 29/400-IV See the section on lead and zinc. 39/400-IV Caji Rod River basin. The halo occupies an area of 80 sq km underlain by Upper Proterozoic metamorphics and Upper Permian terrigenous-carbonate deposits. Each of five samples showed single colours of gold, and each of six samples, single grains of scheelite (75). 47; 48; 51/400-IV See the section on tin. 7/500-I Balkhob River basin. The halo occupies an area of 80 sq km which includes exposures of Upper Triassic volcanic rocks, Lower-Middle Jurassic siltstone and sandstone, and Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene sandstone and limestone. Of 28 samples, each of eight showed single colours of gold and each of three, single grains of cinnabar and cassiterite. Three samples showed 10 or more grains of galena and cerussite (129). 57/500-I See the section on mercury. 75/500-I Lower course of the Warsandane Khurd River. The halo covers an area of 31 sq km underlain by Ordovician sandstone and shale intruded by Early Triassic granitic rocks. Each of three samples out of four showed single colours of gold with associated scheelite (71). 89/500-I Margh River basin. The area occupied by the halo, 196 sq km in size, includes exposures of Lower Carboniferous and Ordovician volcanics and shale and Early Triassic granitic rocks. Seven samples out of 14 showed single colours of gold, each with associated scheelite and galena. (71). 93/500-I Left side of the Gorband Valley. The halo (65 sq km in area) is restricted to a series of faults in Ordovician and Silurian-Devonian deposits, Bach of six samples showed single colours of gold with associated galena and scheelite. (71). 105/500-I See the section on mercury. 109/500-I Gorband River basin. The halo (100 sq km in area) occurs in Proterozoic metamorphic rocks, Ordovician, Lower Carboniferous and Neogene deposits, and Early Carboniferous ultrabasic rocks exposed in the Hari Rod Fault Zone. Of 42 samples, 22 revealed gold in the amounts between single colours and 10 or more colours, 18, scheelite (single grains to 3.2 gr/cu m), 17, cinnabar (single to 10 or more grains), and 6, some bismuthinite (44). 128/500-I Pursa River basin. The halo (45 sq km in area) is localized in Triassic shale and CarboniferousPermian carbonate-terrigenous rocks. Each of six samples out of 10 showed single colours of gold with associated scheelite and galena (44). 155/500-I Lak River basin. The halo covers an area of 115 sq km underlain by Lower Carboniferous volcanics and Pliocene deposits. Of 37 samples, each of 14 revealed single colours of gold, and each of seven, single grains of galena (75). 32/500-II Headwaters of the Andarab River. The halo (58 sq km in area) is confined to a contact zone between an Early Triassic granite intrusion and Proterozoic metamorphic rocks. Each of five samples out of seven showed single colours of gold with associated bismuthinite, scheelite, and galena. (71). 150/500-II See the section on tin. 62/500-III Khurdak River and Helmand River basins. The halo (650 sq km) is found in an area underlain by Oligocene granitic rocks and Proterozoic, Carboniferous, Permian, Triassic, Jurassic, and Lower Cretaceous strata cut by a series of faults. 25 of the samples taken revealed gold in the amounts ranging from single colours to 94 colours per sample, 22, cassiterite (10 grains in a sample to 12 gr/cu m and 31, scheelite (10

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grains in a sample to 20 gr/cu m or more). Cinnabar, galena, and cerussite have also been noted in the amounts of 10 or more grains per sample (75). 111/500-III See the section on lead and zinc. 162/500-III Damada River basin. The halo (62 sq km) is restricted to Ordovician sandstone, Silurian limestone and shale, and Oligocene granitic rocks. Each of 24 samples showed single colours of gold (42). 186/500-III Right-hand bank of the Argandab River. The halo (7.5 sq km in area) is localized in Proterozoic and Ordovician strata and Oligocene granitic rocks. Of eight samples, six showed single grains of gold and bismuthinite each (42). 500-III Headwaters of the Aktaa River. The halo (6.0 sq km in area) embraces Vendian-Cambrian, Upper Devonian, and Upper Permian deposits. Each of 17 samples revealed single colours of gold with associated chalcopyrite and cinnabar (42) 211/500-III Right-hand bank of the Argandab River. The halo (50 sq km) includes exposures of Proterozoic and Ordovician schists and Silurian limestone. Of 46 samples, 22 showed single colours to 10 or more colours of gold (42). 217/500-III Right-hand bank of the Argandab River. The halo (84 sq km in area) occurs in Proterozoic, Ordovician and Silurian sandstones, siltstones, and phyllite-like slates. All of the 110 samples tested have yielded single to 10 or more colours of gold (42). 232/500-III Left-hand bank of the Argandab River. The halo (33 sq km in area) is confined to Proterozoic schist. Each of 18 out of 37 samples revealed single colours of gold (42). 245/500-III Argandab River basin. The halo (184 sq km in area) is confined to Proterozoic, Paleozoic, Upper Triassic and Jurassic deposits and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene and Oligocene diorites. Each of 172 out of 434 samples showed 10 or more colours of gold with associated cassiterite, bismuthine, scheelite, and lead minerals. (42). 272/500-III; 700-I Argandab River basin. The halo (184 sq km in area) is restricted to Mesozoic deposits and Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite. Of 380 samples 200 revealed single to 10 or more colours of gold and some of the samples carry 100 to 150 colours of gold (42). 4/500-IV Left-hand tributaries of the Rode Gardes River middle course. The halo (100 sq km in area) has been found in Oligocene and Pliocene deposits. Each of seven samples showed single colours of gold (130). 15/600-II Left-hand bank of the Argandab River, near Mansurbad. The halo (32 sq km in area) extends along the contact between an Oligocene granite and Proterozoic schist and Lower Cretaceous limestone and serpentinite. Each of 18 out of 35 samples revealed single colours of gold with associated chromite and cerussite, less frequently with chalcopyrite and cassiterite (42). 66: 29/700-I See the sections on copper (6) and mercury (29). Silver Occurrences 81/400-IV Exposure No. 7757, see the section on lead and zinc. 34/500-II Chukrinaw, see the section on iron. 141/500-III Mirsaka, see the section on gold. 253/500-III Surkhbed Kandahar Province, 3220'36"N, 6601'08"E.The mineralization is confined to a fluorite-calcite vein, 0.7 to 0.8 m thick and 1 km long, at the contact between, Upper Triassic and Upper Triassic-Jurassic limestones. The vein carries nests and disseminations of chalcopyrite, galena, azurite, malachite, and chalcosite, and contains 287.7 to 823.2 g of silver per tonne, 0.44 to 8.23% lead, 0.63 to 0.83% zinc, 0.24 to 0.26% copper, and traces of gold (42)

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Showings 19/500-II Baghlan Province, 3544'20"N, 6920'E, Calcite-fluorite veins 0.1-1.0 m wide and 3-5 m length emplaced in Upper Triassic volcanic rocks are slightly limonitized, and contain finely disseminated chalcopyrite. The silver content is 50.8-67.7 g/t (71).

GROUP III NONMETALLIC MINERALS

1. Chemical Raw materials
Sulphur Deposits 9/200-III Alburs, Balkh Province, 3635'N, 6835'E. The deposit is a 500 x 700 m zone of Upper Cretaceous altered rocks enriched in native sulphur. The ore is classified into four types: siliceous-opal, tripoli-like, alum-gypseous, and siliceous-carbonate. The average sulphur content for the whole deposit is 40%. Speculative reserves are 200 thousand tonnes. The deposit is mined with an annual production of 12 thousand tonnes (23). Occurrences 14/200-III Astana, Samangan [Balkh] Province, 3627'N, 6742'90"E. The occurrence is represented by a sulphur-bearing bed 1 m thick, in Eocene deposits. (19). 15/200-III Samangan (Shadyan), Samangan Province, 3620'N, 6755'E. Native sulphur has been found in an area of Eocene limestone, 200 m off a hydrogen sulfide spring (23). 141/200-IV Sanglech, Badakhshan Province, 3620'N, 7115'E. Sulphur-bearing beds containing up to 80% sulphur have been discovered in a fault zone in Archean marble near mineral water springs. The speculative reserves inferred by M.G. Pikulin (1956) are 250 thousand tonnes (23). 205/500-I Gogard, Bamyan Province, 3410'N, 6701'E. The occurrence is restricted to a fault zone in Proterozoic schist where sulphur-saturated thermal water has been outflowing apparently since Late Quaternary time. A deposit of sulphur ore, 0.2 sq km in area and 12 m in thickness is composed of brecciated rock consisting of schist fragments cemented with sulphur. Pure crystalline sulphur has been noted in lenses, 1 to 3 long and 0.5 m thick. The sulphur content of the deposit is 20.65 to 38.9% (45). Showings 151/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3614'N, 7109'E. The mineralization is confined to a fault zone in Archean metamorphics. The sulphur is derived from mineral water springs around which it occurs in knolls and sinters in an area of 5000 sq m. It has also been found to be cement in the pebble beds in the Sanglech Valley (23). 11/400-IV Doshakh, Ghor Province, 3354'N, 6348'E. The occurrence is restricted to a gas-discharging sulphur-water spring near which there is a small (14 x 20 m) lake surrounded by unconsolidated sulphur-rich carbonates precipitated from the spring (44). 82/500-I Dashte Safed, Bamyan [Baghlan] Province, 3518'32"N, 6757'24"E. A sulphur-bearing bed (1.0 to 1.5 m thick) containing celestite lies between Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene marl and gypsum strata. Sulphur and celestite form crystal concentrations in voids and fissures. At places they impregnate the entire rock mass. No assays have been made for sulphur and strontium content. The barium content has been found to vary between 0.3 and 3% (103).

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Fluorite Deposits 70/400-IV Bakhud, Oruzgan Province, 3227'17"N, 6553'58"E. The ore bodies of the deposit were found in a zone of fault breccia at the contact between Upper Triassic massive dolomitic limestone and the overlying Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic clay and marl strata. These bodies are stratiform and gently dipping (less than 10). Two types of ore have been distinguished: carbonate-fluorite and quartz-fluorite. The most widespread is the carbonate-fluorite ore. The thickness of the ore beds varies from 0.25-0.35 to 5.4-7.6 m (2.16 m on the average) and the fluorite content, from 15-25% to 90.40% (47.39% on the average). By the type of texture and structure, the carbonate-fluorite ore is classified into massive, foliated, streaky disseminated, and brecciated. Different types of ore consist of variable amounts of fluorite and calcite including small quantities of quartz, sphalerite, and galena. The secondary hypogene minerals are barite, ankerite, dolomite, pyrite, chalcopyrite, tennantite, and molybdenite. The supergene minerals are iron hydroxides, calcite, aragonite, cerussite, anglesite, smithsonite, calamine, azurite, chrysocolla, chalcocite, native silver and others. The fluorite is colourless, greenish and pale violet to deep violet. The quartz-fluorite ore is older than the carbonate one. Its fluorite content varies between 2-3 and 40-70% (37.02% on the average); the average content of silica is 55.13% and that of calcium carbonate 4.6%. Structurally, the quartz-fluorite ore falls into metasomatically disseminated, breccia cement and veinlet-filling types. Apart from quartz and fluorite, the ore contains barite, chlorite, calcite, ankerite, galena, clay minerals, secondary lead and zinc minerals, and iron hydroxides . Fluorite in this type of ore is colourless to greenish or pale blue. The deposit consists of four areas the Eastern, Western, Northern and Southern. The Eastern Area incorporates carbonate-fluorite and quartz-fluorite ores. The ore beds have been traced for 50-200 m along the strike and 2500 m down the dip. The thickness of the carbonate-fluorite ore beds is from 1 to 3 m (2.17 m on the average), the contents being 33.41 to 59.78% (45.06% on the average) fluorite, 2.6 to 40.43% (14.32% on the average) calcium carbonate, and 9.66 to 32.01% (18.75% on the average) silica. The quartz-fluorite tabular ore bodies range from 2.52 to 3.18 m in thickness, the average thickness being 3.10 m. The contents are: 21.63 to 39.9% (39.32% on the average) fluorite, 3.5 to 17.87% (6.79% on the average) calcium carbonate, and 45.16 to 78.93% (57.83% on the average) silica. The Western Area comprises carbonate-fluorite ore. The ore beds have been traced for 60 to 300 m along the strike and 800 m downdip, their thickness varying between 1 and 3.22 m (2.17 m on the average). The contents are: 36,46 to 56.39% (46.14% on the average) fluorite, 5.35 to 24.99% (12.06% on the average) calcium carbonate, and 13.34 to 48.5% (32.9% on the average) silica. The Northern Area also is notable for carbonate-fluorite ore. The ore beds extend for 70 to 280 m along the strike and 900 m down the dip, their thickness varying between 1.1 and 2.6 m (2,07 m on the average), The contents are: 37.65 to 65.26% (44,39% on the average) fluorite, 12.4 to 25.5% (17.1% on the average) calcium carbonate, and 2.19 to 21.1% (13.12% on the average) silica. Both the carbonate-fluorite and quartz-fluorite ore varieties occur in the Southern Area, the thicknesses of the ore beds ranging from 1.0 to 2.66 m (1.8 m on the average) and from 1.45 to 2.05 m (1.71 m on the average), respectively. The ore beds have been traced for 10 to 200 m along the strike and 500 m downdip. The carbonatefluorite ore contains 38.21 to 64.24% (51.06% on the average) fluorite, 3.57 to 14.28% (8.41% on the average) calcium carbonate, and 13.43 to 40.52% (23.06% on the average) silica. The quartz-fluorite ore contains 21.58 to 40.16% (35.55% on the average) fluorite, 6.6 to 17.85% (11.04% on the average) calcium carbonate, and 45.84 to 56.68% (52.44% on the average) silica. The fluorite tonnage for the whole deposit estimated according to the B + C1 categories is 4,350.9 thousand tonnes, the average fluorite content being 44.8% and the thickness 2.11 m. The fluorite tonnage according to the C2 category is 4,441.0 thousand tonnes, the average fluorite content being 48.54% and the thickness 2.14 m. The total fluorite reserves (B+C1+C2 categories) are 8,791.9 thousand tonnes under the average fluorite content of 46.69% and the thickness 2.13 m (9). Occurrences 62/400-IV Chura, Oruzgan Province, 3243'N, 6549'E. The occurrence is confined to a shear zone in Triassic limestone. Fissures are filled with calcite bearing fluorite nests (116).

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68/400-IV Anagay, Oruzgan Province, 3229'N, 6546'E. A series of parallel fissures and voids inTriassic marble, varying from several centimeters to 2 m in size, are filled with calcite veins. The swells of the veins enclose nodules and 0.1 x 0.15 m nests of fluorite (116). 69/400-IV Saraw I, II, III, Oruzgan Province, 3228'N, 6549'E. The area is underlain by Upper TriassicLower Jurassic and Middle-Upper Jurassic limestones and calcareous sandstones. Fluorite mineralization has been found in three localities. In locality I the ore occurs at the junctions of intersecting faults, where the brecciated limestone contains fluorite, barite, and small amounts of azurite, malachite and limonite. The ore occurs in nests and pillars over an area of 100 sq m. The contents are: 35.13% fluorite, 0.17% copper, 7.76% lead and 5.02% zinc. In locality II fluorite lenses 2 x 3 m in size have been found along a concordant calcite body, 3 m thick and 270 m long, at the contact between limestone and calcareous sandstone. In locality III fluorite has been found in a zone of brecciation and mylonitization, 3 to 5 m wide, extending for 40 or 50 m in Upper Triassic-Lower Jurassic dolomitic limestone. The contents are: 6.3 to 82.37% fluorite, 0.19 to 0.29% copper, 1.75 to 5.69% lead, and 5.49 to 7.28% zinc (9). 73/400-IV Chanigay, Oruzgan Province, 3223'N, 6553'E. The occurrence is restricted to the contact between Upper Triassic limestone and Middle-Upper Jurassic sandy limestone. A vein-shaped ore body, 5 to 8 m thick and over 1 km long, is imbedded in the sequence. The body consists of chalcedony-fluorite rock enclosing many lenses (3 x 50 m in size) of pure fluorite (42). Showings 36/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3730'33"N, 7032'42"E. Scattered fluorite particles, up to 7 mm across, occur in quartz-calcite stringers in Lower Carboniferous volcanic rocks. The stringers are up to 5 cm in thickness 5 to 7 m in length (72). 19/500-II See the section on silver.

Barite Deposits 12/400-I Sang-i-Lan, Herat Province, 3445'55"N, 6201'40"E. Barite veins are localized in fault zones within Eocene-Oligocene volcanic and terrigenous rocks. The deposit is 3.3 sq km in area. 24 workable barite veins have been explored, these occurring in three zones, 200 to 700 m wide and 2.5 km long. The veins vary in width from 0.4 to 5.7 m (1.5 m on the average) and in length from 70 m to 1 km. They have been traced to a depth of 135 m Most of the veins are tabular; lense-shaped bodies are less frequent. The volcanics have been found to be favourable enclosing rocks. The barite ore is classified into monomineral coarse-crystalline, fine-grained banded, and brecciated grades. Besides, zones of baritization have been distinguished. The monomineral coarse-crystalline ore accounts to for more than 80 per cent of the vein material, which mostly compose the entire vein, the thickness of veins varying between 0.5 and 5.5 m. The barite content ranges from 80 to 98.76%. The fine-grained banded ore commonly forms selvages, their thickness being from 0.1 to 0.7 m and barite content from 75 to 94%. The brecciated ore patches, 0.2 to 1 m thick, occur at the contacts of veins with the enclosing rocks. This ore contains 47.3 to 74.3% barite. The zones of baritization, up to 2.5-3 m in width with the mineralized veinlets, have been found at the exocontact of some of the veins. The barite content in such zones varies between 40 and 75%. Vertical zonation is observed in some of the veins where monomineral barite ore occupies an interval from the surface to a depth of 50-110 m, grading downwards to barite-calcite and calcite varieties. Barite veins consist of nearly monomineral barite including an insignificant amount of fine quartz, calcite, and witherite grains, as well as some chalcopyrite, pyrite, and less frequently galena. The barite content of the veins is from 57.74 to 98.76% (85.16% on the average). The veins also contain 0.4 to 19.54% (5.74% on the average) silicon dioxide, 0.07 to 1.68% (0.35% on the average) iron oxide, and 0.02 to 1.07% (0.28% on the average) soluble salts including 0.02-0.15% (0.07% on the average) calcium. The deposit has been explored and is under exploitation. The estimated reserves are 1,178 thousand tonnes (B+C2 categories) and 315 thousand tonnes (C2 category), the total reserves being 1,493 thousand tonnes (161).

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106/500-I Farenjal, Parwan Province, 3459'N, 6841'E. Barite ore bodies and lead and zinc mineralization occur in Ordovician brecciated limestone. There have been localized 16 barite ore bodies, lens-shaped or, less frequently, forming nests, 1 to 9 m thick end 10 to 70 m long. The barite is fine-crystalline, fragmental, The barite lenses range in area from 20 to 300 sq m. The ore fragments recovery ratio is 0.73. On the average the ore contains 83.6 barite and 0.5% soluble calcium salts. The specific gravity of the ore is 4.18. Associated with barite is lead and zinc mineralization occurring throughout the area of brecciated limestone, 500 m in the strike length and 100 m down the dip. The thickness of the mineralized zones in the west of the deposit is from 10 to 20 m, and in the east, from 20 to 40 m. The contents in the west are 5 to 9% lead and 2 to 4% zinc, those in the central area reducing to 0.44% lead and tenth fractions of one per cent zinc. The barite category 01 reserves are 54.6 thousand tonnes. The speculative reserves of barite are 150-200 thousand tonnes, and of lead and zinc, 25-30 thousand tonnes (77, 78). Occurrences 1/400-I Gerdani-Burida, Herat Province, 3520'25"N, 6125'00"E. Five lens-shaped barite veins occur in Paleogene terrigenous deposits. The thickness of the veins ranges from 0.2 to 0.6 m and the length, from 5 to 20 m. The barite is milk-white and pink, coarse to fine-crystalline (161). 9/400-I Gulran, Herat Province, 3451'30''N, 6144'00"E. Eight barite, 15 barite-calcite, and two calcite veins, 0.15 to 0.7 m thick and 30 to 700 m long, have been found in a fault zone in Eocene terrigenous deposits. The barium sulphate content of barite veins varies between 80 and 95.85%, and. of barite-calcite ones, between 12.0 and 26.0%. Transparent crystals of Iceland spar, 10 x 20 cm in cross-section, occur in the barite veins (161). 39/400-I Zanda Jan, Herat Province, 3417'30"N, 6153'40"E. The mineralization is confined to a fault zone in Proterozoic, Cambrian, and Middle-Upper Jurassic strata. The ore fills in fissures forming lens-shaped barite and calcite veins and veinlets, their thickness varying between 5 cm and 1.6 m, and length, between 20 and 90 m (161). 44/400-II Kushkak, see the section on copper. 58/400-IV Durbas, Farah Province, 3250'N, 6313'E. The mineralization is represented by a series of barite veins up to 2 m in thickness and up to 30 m in length, which form an intricate branching pattern in plan. The contents are: 93.4% barium sulphate 0.03 to 4.39 copper, 0.1 to 1.73% lead, up to 0.07% zinc, and up to 0.5% strontium (45). 104/500-I North Farenjal, Parwan Province, 3500'30"N, 6841'E. A 2 m thick barite vein occurs in Ordovician limestone, extending for 200 m. The barite content is about 97% (77). 110/500-I Tangi Loli, Parwan Province. 3459'N, 6834'E. Barite mineralization forms floats in Early Quaternary breccias underlying six areas (77). 131/500-I Zarak, Parwan Province, 3446'07"N, 68"16'10"E. 0.3-m. thick barite veinlets occur in a shattered zone 5 to 15 m wide, and 350 m length in Upper Devonian limestone. The content of barium oxide is from 13.4 to 51.1% (90). 137/500-I Roqol, Bamyan Province, 3442'10"N, 6808'05"E. Lower Carboniferous quartz-sericite schist encloses barite veinlets and veins up to 0.7 m thick and up to 3 m long. The width of the mineralized zone is 70 m, and the extension 350 m. The content of barium oxide is 64.8% (90). 138/500-I Chapqol, Banyan Province, 3441'45"N, 6808'E. A fault zone 10 m wide, which has brought into contact the Lower Carboniferous quartz-sericite schist and volcanic rocks, encloses a great number of barite veinlets 0.1 to 0.3 m thick, the composite thickness being 1 to 1.5 m, and length, 50 m. The content of barium oxide is 64.8% (90). 142/500-I Hajigak, Banyan Province, 3440'20"N, 68"03'45"E. The Hajigak iron ore deposit comprises five locations of barite mineralization. Barite ore occurs as veins, 0.2 to 1.2 m thick and 15-25 to 135 m long in Proterozoic chlorite-sericite schist. In addition, barite debris has been found over an area of 10 sq km. The speculative reserves of the largest vein are 36.2 thousand tonnes with the average barium oxide content of 56% (90).

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Showings 99/500-I Parwan Province, 3502'N, 6838'E. Barite occurs in isolated small inclusions, nodules and nests scattered in Ordovician limestone. Besides, barite has been found in limestone breccia talus over an area of 80 sq km (77). 101/500-I Parwan Province, 3501'N, 6837'30"E. Ten locations of fine-crystalline barite and galena disseminations have been found in the area underlain by Ordovician limestone (77). 111/500-I Parwan Province, 3459'N, 6837'30"E. Barite lenses 1 to 1.5 m in thickness and 15 to 20 m in length occur in Lower Carboniferous limestone (77). Mechanical Mineralogical Haloes 3/400-I Herat area. The 6000-sq km area of the halo is underlain by Proterozoic metamorphic and intrusive rocks and Upper Permian, Lower Triassic, Upper Cretaceous, Eocene, Oligocene, Neogene, and Quaternary deposits. Barite has been found in 828 samples, of which 96 contain also some celestite (10).

Celestite Deposits 5/200-III Qunduz (Kartaw), Qunduz Province, 3642'N, 6835'E. A celestite bed, 0.9 to 1.5 m thick, has the strike length of 1,400 m being traced downdip for 140 m in the Suzak and Bukhara formations of Paleogene age, The ore bed is mostly overlain by Quaternary sediments. Compositionally, the bed is uniform consisting of fine- to medium-grained celestite of a bluish white colour. The average SrSO4 content is 76.91%; the specific gravity, 3.861 the content of soluble salts, 0.36% and the volume weight, 3.11. The speculative ore reserves amount to 1 million tonnes (19). 147/200-IV Tangi Murch, Baghlan [Ghanzi] Province, 3616'13"N, 6912'24"E The Bukhara and Suzak carbonate rock formations of Paleogene age crop out in the area. The host rock is bituminous limestone. The ore beds consist of fine- to coarse-crystalline celestite-bearing rock. Four ore beds have been located, their thicknesses ranging from 0.4 to 1.67 m and, maximum length is 170 m. The celestite content is from 28.85 to 76.91% and the specific gravity, from 3.00 to 3.94 g/cm3. The speculative reserves of the celestite ore is 85.6 thousand tonnes cinder the average celestite content of 53.96% and specific gravity of 3.43 g/cm3 (77).

Borosilicates Occurrences 79/500-III See the section on iron. Showings 98/500-III See the section on copper.

2. Fertilizers
Apatite Occurrences 52/600-II Khanneshin, see the section on rare earths.

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Phosphorite Occurrences 38/400-II Katal-i-Sabzak, Herat Province, 3439'30"N, 6909'E. A phosphorite-bearing bed 0.3 to 1.1 m thick occurs within a clay formation intercalated with sandstone and limestone, lying at the base of the Upper Cretaceous sequence. The bed consists of irregular phosphorite nodules, 0.5 to 5-6 cm of in size, cemented with carbonate-phosphate material. The P2O5 content ranges from 6.2 to 9.7% (102).

3. Miscellaneous Nonmetallic Minerals

Asbestos Deposits 218/500-II Logar, Logar Province, 3406'30"N, 69"01'30"E. Asbestos occurs in a zone of serpentinization that is developed in Eocene peridotite as isolated 'veins' scattered along fault zones and at the contacts of quartz porphyry and lamprophyre dikes. The width of the serpentinized zones varies from 10-5 cm to 5-6 m (0.5-1.0 m on the average), their length ranging from first few tens of meters to 400-600 m or more. The serpentinized zones contain asbestos in joints and at places in series of closely spaced parallel veinlets of cross-fibre chrysotile asbestos varying in thickness from 5 to 8 mm., more rarely to 15 mm. The veinlets are spaced 3 to 15 mm apart. Poorly serpentinized peridotites enclose veins arranged in a rectangular pattern and also salvaged-type compound veins with asbestos. The asbestos content of the sills with the combined type of asbestos mineralization exceeds 10%, while that of the sills enclosing asbestos in joints is not more than 0.8%. One of the asbestos-bearing locations referred to as "Northern" has been explored. It encloses two bodies. One is 90 m long and 42 m thick, the average content of asbestos fibres being 4.14%. The fibre is 2-4 to 8-10 mm long, being mainly of grade V and VI, more rarely of grades III and IV. The other body is 400 m long, averaging 32 m in thickness and 4.17% in asbestos content. The total reserves of chrysotile asbestos of the deposit are estimated to be 358.1 thousand tonnes (65). 12/500-IV Shadal, Paktya [Khost] Province, 3314'N, 6935'E. The deposit includes six zones of asbestos mineralization (19 sq km in area) confined to fault zones in Eocene peridotites. The principal type of ore is slipfibre asbestos Chrysotile asbestos occurs in parallel fibres up to 15-20 cm long. From the surface down to a depth of 5-6 m the asbestos fibres are integrown with magnesite. The amount of magnesite inclusions decreases with depth and the content of asbestos increases. The fibres are of high quality; they are needle-shaped, strong and easily becoming fluffy. In addition to the slip-fibre ore variety, the serpentinite encloses cross-fibre chrysotile asbestos occurring in short veins with fibres not more than 1.5-2 mm. long. The best studied area is zone No. 4 extending for 640 m and averaging 130 m in width. The asbestos content of the zone is not uniform varying from 0.23 to 39.37% (6.0% on the average). The speculative chrysotile asbestos reserves to a depth of 100 m is 1.5 million tonnes including 539 thousand tonnes of the C2 category reserves (65). Occurrences 108/500-I Parenjal, see the section on talc. 201/500-I Spinkala, Logar Province, 3411'50"N, 6855'15"E. A zone of serpentinization, 50 to 700 m wide has been found in Eocene peridotite. The asbestos is of two types, slip-fibre (predominant) and cross-fibre. The content of chrysotile asbestos varies between 0.25 and 7.88% (141). 130/500-II Bagrami, Parwan Province, 3450'30"N, 6928'30"E. The occurrence, being restricted to Eocene ultrabasic rocks, includes seven locations of asbestos mineralization forming a single ore field, 1-3 km wide and up to 17 km long. Each location comprises several zones, each zone consisting of numerous asbestosbearing bodies, 3-5 to 20-50 m in thickness and 10-20 to 150-200 m in length. Some of the locations are up to 3 sq km in size. Asbestos is not uniformly distributed. The most common are compound veins with asbestos in the selvages forming a rectangular pattern of large and small spacings. Also present are dense reticulated veins and less frequently zones of rare reticulated veins, small and short veinlets, and simple asbestos-fringed veins. Chrysotile asbestos is commonly of the cross-fibre type, the oblique-fibre and slip-fibre varieties being found occasionally. The chrysotile asbestos content of the rock mass varies from tenth fractions of one per cent to 5.65%, the length of fibres ranging from fractions of a millimeter to 6 mm. The fibres are commonly of grade 204

VI, smaller amounts being of grades V and IV. The speculative ore reserves in part of the asbestos-bearing bodies is 51.9 thousand tonnes, with the chrysotile asbestos content averaging 1.73% (63). 180/500-II Gerdab, Nangarhar Province, 3423'N, 7043'E. An intrusion of Early Carboniferous ultrabasic rocks encloses a zone of serpentinization, 200 m wide and 2 km long. The rock in the zone is heavily schistose including numerous veins consisting of carbonate with slip-fibre asbestos. The veins are from 0.1 to 0.3 m in- thickness and 5 to 10 m in length (39). 219/500-II Kohe Moge Aba, Logar Province, 3414'30"N, 6902'45"E. A zone of asbestos mineralization, 20-50 m wide and 300 m long extends along a diabase dike in Eocene serpentinite. The asbestos is of the cross-fibre type, the average content being 3.83% with the fibre of grades V and VI (141). 227/500-II Abparan, Logar Province, 3411'55"N, 6915'15"E. A zone of asbestos mineralization.5-20 m wide and 300 m long, occurs in Eocene serpentinized peridotite. The thickness of asbestos veinlets varies from 1 to 15 mm. (141). 230/500-II Waghjan, Logar Province, 3407'50"N, 6903'35"E. A zone in Eocene peridotite, 500 m in length, encloses lens-shaped bodies of asbestos-bearing serpentinite ranging in thickness from 0.3 to 3 m and in length from 30 to 80 m. The thickness of asbestos veinlets is from 0.5 to 5 mm. The asbestos is of the cross-fibre type (141). 233/500-II Shahsi, Logar Province, 3407'05"N, 6904'15"E. Asbestos mineralization is localized in heavily serpentinized zones confined to fault zones in Eocene peridotite. The asbestos-bearing zones are 30 to 60 m in length; only one of them has the strike length of 200 m. The width is variable between 0.3 and 6 m. The chrysotile asbestos content of the zones is not more than 9.5%. Different types of mineralization are present with a wide development of asbestos in joints, the fibre content averaging 0.8% (141). 500-IV Sperkay, see the section on chromium. 829/14/500-IV Kopra, Paktya [Khost] Province, 3313'11"N, 6934'00"E. A zone of heavily shattered and altered peridotite includes numerous veinlets of slip-fibre asbestos intergrown with acicular calcite. The thickness of the veinlets is from 3 to 4 cm (11l). 15/500-IV Rogay, Paktya [Khost] Province, 3312'55"N, 6932'45"E. The occurrence is restricted to a zone of shattered and hydrothermally altered rocks 20 to 30 m wide, which occurs at the contact between an ultrabasic intrusion and Eocene siltstone. The zones of asbestos mineralization are 8 to 10 m wide and 350 to 400 m long. The asbestos, predominantly of the slip-fibre type occurs in joints, its content ranging from 5 to 8% (111). 16/500-IV Rosana, Paktya [Khost] Province, 3312'25"N, 6936'35"E. A zone of asbestos mineralization has been found in an intrusion of Eocene serpentinized peridotite. The asbestos is of the cross-fibre type. The zone is 10 to 30 cm wide and 50 m long. The asbestos is of grade I (111). 19/500-IV Afdzalkhel, Paktya, [Khost] Province, 3311'05"N, 6932'22"E. An intrusion of heavily serpentinized and brecciated peridotite includes veinlets of slip-fibre asbestos at its eastern endocontact. The width of the asbestos-bearing zone is from 10 to 15 m and the extension is 600 m (111). 21/500-IV Samandkay, Paktya [Khost] Province, 3310'05"N, 6940'46"E. An intrusion of Eocene ultrabasic rocks includes a series of small zones and single veinlets of cross-fibre asbestos with fibres 0.2 to 1.5 mm long. The zones are up to 30 cm in width and up to 10 m in length (119). 22/500-IV Kandinkhel, Paktya [Khost] Province, 3309'45"N, 6938'30"E. A body of Eocene serpentinized peridotite encloses a zone, 50 cm wide and 800 m long, enriched in slip-fibre chrysotile asbestos (111). 23/500-IV Sperkay, Paktya [Khost] Province, 3308'40"N, 69"38'35"E. Veinlets of cross-fibre asbestos, 0.5 to 0.7 cm in width, have been found in Eocene ultrabasic rocks (111). 826/28/500-IV Border-Side, Paktya Province, 3235'N, 6922'E. Asbestos mineralization is confined to an intrusion of Eocene ultrabasic rocks. Asbestos occurs in veinlets filling cracks in carbonatized serpentinite. The width of the mineralized zone is 10 m, the length of asbestos fibres ranging from 10 to 12 cm (111).

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Showings 14/200-II Badakhshan Province, 3813'31"N, 7041'33"E. Early Carboniferous ultrabasic rocks enclose two veinlets of slip-fibre asbestos having a thickness of not more than 10 cm and a length of 3 m. The fibres are 1 to 5 cm long (130). 88/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3657'10"N, 70"44'20"E. Rock fragments carrying chrysotile asbestos veinlets, not more than 1.5 cm thick have been found in talus deposits which occur near the contact between an ultrabasic intrusion and schist with marble layers (129). 32/500-I Sayda Ka'in, Baghlan Province, 3537'39"N, 6821'20"E. A patch, 1 m wide and first few meters long, in a body of Early Carboniferous ultrabasic rocks carries thin asbestos veinlets in minute joints (103). 197/500-I Logar Province, 3413'40"N, 6859'30"E. Veinlets of cross-fibre asbestos with fibres up to 55 mm. long have been found in a zone of serpentinization, 20 to 30 m wide and 150-200 m long, in an intrusion of Eocene pyroxenite (141). 200/500-I Logar Province, 3412'25"N, 6857'55"E. Zones of serpentinization, 0.3 to 0.5 m wide and first few tens of meters in strike length, occur in Eocene peridotite. These carry cross-fibre asbestos in joints and at the selvages (141). 202/500-I Logar Province, 3411'45"N, 6859'40"E. Veinlets of cross-fibre asbestos, up to 3 mm thick; more rarely up to 0.5 cm thick, occur in a series of serpentinized zones, 0.1 to 1.0 m in width and up to 30 m in length, within Eocene ultrabasic rocks (141). 208/500-I Logar Province, 3408'50"N, 6858'55"E. Chrysotile asbestos veinlets with fibres 1.5 to 2.0 mm long have been found at the contacts of a gabbro-diorite dike emplaced in Eocene serpentinized peridotite. The length of the asbestos-bearing zone is 1.2 km and the width, 100 to 200 m (141).

Muscovite Fields of Rare Metal Pegmatites 500-II Pachagan, see the section on beryllium. Deposits 110/500-II Pachagan, Kapisa Province, 3502'03"N, 6943'10"E. The deposit consists of a swarm of pegmatite dikes in Proterozoic sequence invaded by an intrusion of Early Cretaceous altered gabbro and gabbro-diorite. Mineralogically and structurally, the pegmatites are of the three types: 1) zonal, bearing muscovite-beryl mineralization; 2) albitized massive, carrying fine-disseminated beryl mineralization; and 3) barren massive patchy-zonal. The thickness of the pegmatite bodies varies between 1.5 and 4.5 m, less frequently reaching 10 m, and the length, between 40 and 600-800 m Muscovite crystals are from 0.3 to 0.5 m in cross-section and 10 to 15 cm in thickness, and beryl crystals are 1.5 x 3 to 20 x 30 cm in cross-section. The muscovite is of low quality. The C2 category muscovite reserves in Dikes Nos. 1, 3, and 4 are 490 tonnes, with the mica content of 13.6 to 38.5 kg/cu m. By 1973, 400 tonnes of crude ore had been produced. The beryl reserves in Dike No. 4 are 90.5 tonnes to the depth of 4.5 m with the beryl content varying from 8 to 80% (120). 160/500-II Sarobay, Laghman Province, 3429'-3430'N, 6955'-6958'E. Muscovite-bearing pegmatite dikes, 0.1 to 50 m thick and 20 to 150 m long, occur in Proterozoic metamorphic rocks. The muscovite crystals are fractured, curved, and tabular varying in size from 4 to 100 sq km Occasionally these have holes and apatite or tourmaline inclusions. The run-of-mine ore reserves estimated for 21 veins are 1,129 tonnes, under the muscovite content ranging from 25.9 to 97.2 kg/cu m (Cat. C1), and 575 tonnes, with the muscovite content of 11.3 to 86.5 kg/cu m (Cat. C2). The total category C1 + C2 reserves are 1,704 tonnes (53). Occurrences 55/400-IV Bashlang, Helmand Province, 3256'N, 6456'E. Muscovite occurs in pegmatite dikes and in quartzmuscovite veins cutting the dikes which are emplaced in Proterozoic schist and gneiss. The pegmatite dikes 206

range from 0.3 to 4 m in thickness and from first few hundred meters to 1.5 km in extension. The thickness of the quartz-muscovite veins is from 0.1 to 1.0 m, their length being first few tens of meters. The muscovite is of low grade, the crystals being chopped, arborescent, enclosing numerous quartz inclusions (76). 170/500-I Tokana, Maydan [Wardak] Province, 3426'N, 6835'E. Muscovite occurs in pegmatite dikes cutting Proterozoic biotitic gneiss. The dikes are bed-shaped, lens shaped, or pipe-shaped, their thickness ranging from 25 to 35 m and the length, from 200 to 300 m. The largest length of muscovite zones in the pegmatites is 30 m, with the width ranging from 0.5 to 5.0 m. The muscovite crystals are short columnar, tabular, and more rarely arborescent. They are generally deformed and vary in size between 5 and 30 cm. The category C1 reserves of muscovite are 126.6 tonnes. In 1971, 48 tonnes of crude muscovite ore were extracted (53). 190/500-I Andar, Maydan [Wardak] Province, 3416'N, 6847'E. Pegmatite dikes, 15 to 20 m in thickness and 500 to 800 m in strike length, occur in Proterozoic schist and gneiss. The dikes enclose muscovitebearing zones 3 to 5 m wide and 300 to 400 m long. The muscovite crystals are 4 x 6 cm in size. The percentage of muscovite in the pegmatites varies from; 10 to 30%. The mica is of poor quality (53). 39/500-II Andarab, Baghlan Province, 3533'N, 6938'E. Small (1 to 2 sq cm) muscovite crystals have been found in pegmatite dikes, 0.5 to 3.0 m thick, in Proterozoic gneiss (53). 50/500-II Manjadar, Kapisa Province, 3528'N, 6940'E. Muscovite-bearing pegmatites make up five lensshaped dikes, 3-4 m thick and 80 to 100 m long, in Proterozoic gneiss. The muscovite crystals are 40 to 50 sq cm in size. Their quality is low (53). 53/500-II Kamdesh, Konar [Nuristan] Province, 3525'N, 7122'E. Muscovite-bearing pegmatite dikes occur in Proterozoic gneiss. The muscovite crystals are 15 x 20 cm in size. They are wedge-shaped and tabular and are of low quality (53). 55/500-II Awshaba, Kapisa Province, 3525'N, 6930'E. Muscovite occurs in small pegmatite bodies emplaced in Proterozoic gneiss. The bodies are lens-shaped, 2 to 3 m in thickness and 30 to 40 m in length. The width of the muscovite bearing zones range from 0.5 to 1.0 m and the length from 15 to 20 m. The crystals are small (6 to 10 sq cm) and defective (53). 68/500-II Parandeh, Kapisa Province, 3522'N, 6928'E. Small muscovite-bearing pegmatite dikes occur in Proterozoic gneiss. The dikes are lens-shaped, 2 to 3 m in thickness and 40 to 60 m in length. The width of the muscovite-bearing zones in the dikes is from 0.5 to 1.0 m. The content of muscovite is not more than 25 kg/cu m, its quality being low (53). 77/500-II Tambana, (Darah-i-Shast), Kapisa Province, 3518'N, 6927'E. Muscovite-bearing pegmatite dikes are confined to small bodies of serpentinized ultrabasic rocks emplaced in Proterozoic gneiss. The dikes are lens-shaped, varying in thickness between 2 and 8 m and in length between 30 and 100 m. In four dikes muscovite crystals are as large as 10 x 15 x 6-7 cm. The muscovite concentration may reach 70-80 kg/cu m, though the recovery of valuable mica is low because of fracturing, poor strength, and arborescent structure (53). 102/500-II Gulin, Kapisa Province, 3506'30"N, 6940'E. Muscovite occurs in pegmatites up to 3 m in thickness and up to 100 m in extension. The pegmatites were found in Proterozoic gneiss. The muscovite content is 30 kg/cu m, the mica quality being good. Some of the dikes may be recommended for hand working . (64). 103/500-II Zuri, Kapisa Province, 3506'N, 6938'E. A muscovite-bearing pegmatite dike occurs in a granite body emplaced in Proterozoic biotitic gneiss. The pegmatite dike is 3.5 to 4.0 m thick and 100 m long. It consists of large blocks, zones, with a quartz core at the periphery of which there are muscovite plates, 5 x 6 cm in area and 1 to 1.5 cm in thickness. The muscovite content is insignificant (64). 107/500-II Esshni, Kapisa Province, 3504'N, 6936'E. Large concentrations of muscovite.have been reported from three pegmatite dikes out of 30 dike bodies in Proterozoic biotitic gneiss. The thickness of the muscovite-bearing dikes ranges from 1 to 10 m and the extension, from 40 to 100 m (64). 113/500-II Dewaz, Konar Province, 3501'N, 7105'E. Muscovite-bearing pegmatite dikes, 2-3 m in thickness and 100 m in length occur in Proterozoic gneiss. The muscovite crystals are 20 x 30 cm in size.

207

They are tabular and wedge-shaped. The muscovite content of the dike material was roughly estimated to be 100-150 kg/cu m (53). 124/500-II Kusuk, Laghman Province, 3455'N, 7006'E. Thin dikes of muscovite bearing pegmatites have been found in Proterozoic gneiss and granite gneiss (53). 127/500-II Kohe Baba Sanghun, Kapisa Province, 3452'N,6938'E. Muscovite bearing pegmatite dikes 0.5 to 2.0 m thick and 200 m long, occur in Proterozoic gneiss. Muscovite is restricted to patches of a block structure. The badly deformed muscovite crystals are up to 200 sq cm in area and 1.0 to 1.5 cm in thickness. (64). 163/500-II See the section on beryllium. 166/500-II Jigdalek, Kabul Province, 3426'N, 6950'E. Muscovite occurs in a pegmatite dike intruding Proterozoic gneiss and schist. The muscovite crystals, up to 15 sq cm. in size, are of low quality (53). 4/500-III Qonak, Oruzgan Province, 3400'N, 6641'30"E. Muscovite occurs in pegmatite dikes invading Proterozoic formations. The dikes are 1.5 to 20 m in thickness and tens to hundreds of meters in extension. The muscovite crystals (4 to 10 sq cm in size) are of low quality, the muscovite yield from some of the dikes reaching 10 kg/cu m. Scarce grains of garnet, cassiterite, and orthite have also been noted (146). 55/500-III Bande Sultan, Ghazni Province, 3343'N, 6823'E. Pegmatite bodies in Proterozoic schist and gneiss contain muscovite crystals 2 cm, more rarely 8 cm across. The width of the pegmatite bodies is 0.2 to 8 m and the length, first few hundred motors. The zone abundant in pegmatites is 1.8 to 2 km wide and 6 km long. The crystals are of low quality, containing mineral inclusions (45).

Talc Deposits 228/500-II Ghunday (Mamahel), Nangarhar Province, 3411'N, 7001'E. The deposit is discovered in Proterozoic dolomitic marble intruded by amphibolite bodies. It consists of two talc-bearing zones; (the Northern and Southern, composed of a series of elongated lenticular talc bodies, clusters of nests, and veinlets. In the Northern Zone, 200 m in strike length, talc bodies are 0.5 to 12 m thick and up to 60 m long. In the Southern Zone, 240 m in extension, talc bodies are 1 to 3 m in thickness and 8 to 20 m in length. The talc is white, more rarely pink, commonly occurring as steatite. The contents are 60.22 to 96.28% (76.0280.6% on the average) talc, 26 to 35-31% (31.3-32.2% on the average) MgO, 0.53 to 14.4% (4.66-5.16% on the average) CaO, and 33.25 to 60.28% (56.2-57.8% on the average) SiO2. The speculative talc ore reserves in the Northern Zone is 356.3 thousand tonnes with the average talc content of 76% and in the Southern Zone, 113.9 thousand tonnes under the average talc content of 80.67% (19). 236/500-II Achin, Nangarhar Province, 3403'N, 7043'E. A talc-bearing zone, 2 km in length, has been found in Proterozoic dolomitic marble. The zone is restricted to diabase porphyrite dikes. It consists of a series of closely spaced en-echelon talc veins extending for several meters to 150 m and exposed to a depth of 100 to 160 m. The economically valuable portion of the zone is 860 m long. The veins are of an intricate shape with numerous swells and necks; they are composed of foliated talc and more rarely of steatite with insignificant dolomite, magnesite, quartz, and calcite inclusions. The talc is grey and white. The chemical composition of the talc rock is as follows: 50.22 to 95.94% (70.38% on the average) talc, 26.5 to 40.37% (31.6% on the average) MgO, 31.56 to 61.9% (57.2% on the average) SiO2, and 0.24 to 16.2% (7.88% on the average) CaO. The talc ore reserves are 1.25 million tonnes. Along with the talc bearing zone and closely associated with it, there occur magnesite ore bodies averaging 33 to 70 m in thickness and 328 to 765 m in extension. These are lens shaped and consist of magnesite with talc, dolomite, calcite, and quartz inclusions. The selvages of the lenses are composed of dolomite-magnesite ore containing 30-38% MgO, whereas the cores consist of practically pure magnesite exceeding 40% in MgO content. The talc content is from 3.56 to 14.4%. According to the analytical data obtained after baking, the magnesite quality is characterized by the following contents: 81.94 to 83.47% MgO, 7.77 to 12.26% SiO2, and 3.53-6.96% CaO. The speculative magnesite ore reserves are 31.2 million tonnes (19).

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16/500-I Dane-i-Ghori, Baghlan Province, 3543'55"N, 6818'56"E. The occurrence is confined to the endocontact of an ultrabasic rock intrusion containing talc rock in an area of 1,000 sq m. The ultrabasics intrude Middle-Upper Carboniferous carbonate and shale strata (103). 108/500-I Farenjal, Parwan Province, 3459'N, 6841'E. A belt of talc-bearing rock, 10 m wide, extends along the contact between a serpentinite intrusion and Lower Carboniferous schist (77). 177/500-II Lalandor, Kabul Province, 3423'48"N, 69"01'48"E. The occurrence includes four zones of talcbearing rocks extending for 100 to 800 m at the contacts between Eocene ultrabasic bodies and Upper Persian shale alternating with marmorized limestone. The zones enclose talc nests and veins 3 x 5 to 20 x 30 m in size. Talc is being worked by the locals (141). Showings 21/500-III Maydan Province, 3354'N, 6844'E. Small talc lenses, 0.1 to 0.5 m thick and 3 to 5 m long, occur in heavily serpentinized ultrabasic rocks of Eocene age (39). 65/500-III Ghazni Province, 3335'N, 68'38'E. A talc-bearing zone10 to 15 m wide extends in Lower Carboniferous marble and greenschist. A magnesite layer occurs in the zone (19).

Magnesite Deposits 236/500-II Achin, see the section on talc. Occurrences 196/500-II Mamaduga, Logar Province, 3419'30"N, 6907'30"E. A vein-shaped magnesite body has been found in Eocene diabase. Its apparent thickness is 0.35 m and length, 200 m. The chemical composition of the magnesite is 5.18% SiO2, 0.56% A12O3, 0.11% Fe2O3, 1.91% CaO, 46.30% MgO, 0.002% MnO, and 0.01% S (101).

Graphite Occurrences 85/200-IV Yaghdara, Badakhshan Province, 3659'15"N, 7122'E. A 10 m thick layer of Archean gneiss, extending for 200-250 m, contains up to 5% fine-flaky graphite forming uniform and dense disseminations (41). 102/200-IV Sanglech, Badakhshan Province, 3640'N, 7121'E. A lenticular graphite body more than 5 m thick extends for 50 m in Archean schist and gneiss. The graphite is of high quality, though it includes rare but large grains of white quartz. The graphite reserves are 5 thousand tonnes (19). 155/200-IV Istrombi, Badakhshan Province, 3612'N, 7046'30"E. Lenses of graphite-bearing rocks, 10 m thick and 40 to 50 m long occur at the contact between Archean marble and calciphyre and granite. The graphite is fine-crystalline; it is, localized in nests and lenses where its content ranges from 50 to 60%. The associated minerals are hematite, iron hydroxides, and quartz (97). 183/500-I Shakabul, Maydan Province, 3419'10"N, 6849'15"E. A graphite-bearing zone, 200 to 250 m wide extends for 500-600 m in Proterozoic marble. The zone contains 3 to 8% graphite. There occur occasional nests of graphite 20 x 30 cm in size (141). 224/500-II Khawra, Kabul Province, 3413'N, 6945'E. Graphite-bearing quartzite and marble layers are enclosed in Proterozoic metamorphic rocks. The graphite is flaky its roughly estimated content being not more than 2% (44). 46/500-III Charkh, Logar Province, 3345'N, 6853'E. An area (6 sq km) of graphite mineralization has been found in Proterozoic sequence at the exocontact of an Oligocene granitic intrusion the larger portion of 209

which is emplaced in Upper Permian terrigenous strata. The width of the mineralized zones varies between several meters and 50 m occasionally reaching 100 m; the extension is more than 1 km (39).

Gypsum Occurrences 27/200-II Dodkash, Baghlan Province, 3600'55"N, 6847'30"E. The occurrence comprises massive gypsum beds,1.5 to 2.0 m, occasionally up to 6 m thick, which extend for 12 km in Upper Jurassic clay, siltstone, sandstone, and dolomite. The gypsum has the following chemical composition 99.37% CaSO4.2H2O, 0.2% SiO2, 0.58% A12O3, 0.12% Fe2O3, 33.34% CaO, 0.14% MgO, 52.96% SO4, 44.08% SO3, and 20.50% lose on ignition. The gypsum is being worked (103). 114/200-IV Sar-i-Kan, Takhar Province, 3634'47"N, 6939'14"E. A 150 m. thick unit consisting of alternating gypsum and clay beds occurs in Upper Jurassic clay sequence (403). 116/200-IV Chal, Takhar Province, 3633'03"N, 632'14"E. Gypsum beds first few meters thick lie between Upper Jurassic clay and siltstone. The gypsum is contaminated with clay (903). 164/200-IV Shoraw, Baghlan Province, 3603'45"N, 6908'56"E. A 1 m thick gypsum bed occurs in Jurassic sandstone, clay and gritstone. The occurrence is being worked manually (103). 13/400-I Charhulang, Herat Province, 3444'N, 6202'30"E. Two gypsum beds occur in Pliocene sandstone and oilstone strata. One bed, 20 m thick and 15 km long, consists of monomineral gypsum, and the other, 30 m thick and 5 km long, encloses gypsum lenses 0.2 to 2.0 m in thickness. The occurrence is under manual exploitation (161). 45/400-I Pushte Koh, Herat Province, 3409'N, 6210'E. A series of gypsum lenses, up to 10 m in thickness and 10 to 50 m in length occur in Upper Cretaceous limestone. Gypsum is being mined manually (10). 51/400-I Rabat-i-Sapcha, Herat Province, 3405'N, 6219'E. Small gypsum lenses occur in fractures cutting Upper Cretaceous marly limestone. Gypsum is being worked by the locals (10). 53/400-I Pir-i-Surkh, Herat Province, 3403'N, 6227'E. Gypsum lenses, up to 10 m thick and up to 50 m long, occur in Upper Cretaceous marly limestone. Gypsum is being worked manually (10). 31/400-II Laman, Badghis Province, 3445'-3447'N, 6307'-6310'E. Gypsum lenses not more than 1 m thick, occur in Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene carbonate rocks. The gypsum is massive and cloddy, at places clayey (102). 93/400-I Pushta-i-Bedak, Ghor Province, 3408'N, 6445'E. Gypsum beds and lenses occur over an area of 4.5 sq km in Pliocene sandstone. The gypsum is saccharoidal and crystalline (43). 45/500-I Sare Asya I, Samangan Province, 3531'32"N, 6730'02"E. Gypsum beds, 2 to 10 m thick occur in Upper Cretaceous Paleocene sequence (103). 49/500-I Sare Asya, Samangan Province, 3530'32"N, 6736'08"E. Gypsum beds and lenses up to 15 m in thickness have been found in Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene deposits (103). 60/500-I Nadr, Bamyan Province, 3526'25"N, 6748'02"E. A 12 m thick bed containing 89.09% gypsum occurs in Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene dolomite, clay, and limestone which crop out from beneath Eocene deposits (103). 66/500-I Nalak, Baghlan Province, 3224'06"N, 6812'30"E. A 12 m thick unit of bedded gypsum occurs in Upper Jurassic sandstone and clay (103). 86/500-I Kahmard, Bamyan Province, 3518'32"N, 6754'E. Beds consisting of massive gypsum, up to 2.5 m thick, and stratified gypsum, 20 to 40 cm thick, have been found in Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene clay and dolomite. The total thickness of the gypsum unit is 20 m and the average gypsum content is 97.94% (103). 210

87/500-I Dashte Safed, Bamyan Province, 3517'09"N, 6753'08"E. A unit of stratified gypsum 30 m thick, occurs in Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene clay and limestone (103). 191/500-II Surkh Rod, Nangarhar Province, 3421'N, 7005'E. A 10 m thick gypsum bed extends for 1.5 km in Neogene clay and siltstone. The speculative reserves are 13 million tonnes. The gypsum is being mined by primitive tools (103).

GROUP IV SALTS
Rock salt Deposits 1/100-IV Andkhoy, Faryab Province, 3645'N, 6521'E. Upper Quaternary - Recent clay contains rock salt layers. NaCl concentration in the nearby salt lakes is 87.2% in the water, and 98.5% in the dry residue. The salt is being worked by primitive tools (67). 5/100-IV Dawlatabad, Faryab Province, 3636'15"N, 6456'E. Rock salt has been found in the sediments of salt lakes. The NaCl content of dry residue is 92.68% (67). 8/100-IV Maymana, Faryab Province, 3606'N, 6442'30"E. Salt is being produced by evaporating from a salt lake, The NaCl content of dry residue is 98% (67). 4/200-III Tashqurgan (Khulm), Samangan Province, 3650'N, 6742'30"E. Salt has been found in lacustrine sediments. The contents are: 89.2 to 95.5% NaCl, 5.66% MgSO4, 2.56 to 4.15% MgCl2, and 4.53 to 0.95% CaSO4. The deposit is under exploitation (67). 113/200-IV Namakab, Takhar Province, 3635'N, 6937'30"E. The deposit appears as a salt-gypsum dome in Upper Jurassic strata. Its thickness is 400 m, and the outcrop of salt-bearing deposits is 1500 m in diameter. The NaCl content ranges from 77 to 99%. The rock salt is being mined (103). 117/200-IV Chal I, Takhar Province, 3633'N, 6932'E. Rock salt occurring in Upper Jurassic formations has been discovered on the side of the Cal Valley over a distance of 1 km. The salt is being worked by primitive tools (103). 119/200-IV Chal II, Takhar Province, 3632'N, 6931'E. Rock salt occurs in Upper Jurassic beds. Pits dug to a depth of 20 m were stopped in the salt (103). 50/400-I Namksar, Herat Province, 3405'N 6045'E. Salt is being produced from a salt lake by evaporation. The NaCl content of dry residue is from 95 to 98% or 315.6 g/l in the brine (45). 69/400-II Rukh, Ghor Province, 3416'N, 6424'E. Rock salt is associated with Pliocene clay, marl, and sandstone. The salt-bearing rock unit is 20 m thick. The speculative reserves are 360 thousand tonnes assaying on the average of 48 to 50% NaCl. Salt is being mined by hand methods. (45). 23/400-III Kawire Nayzar, Herat Province, 3340'N, 6052'E. Salt is being produced by evaporating from a salt lake (67). 28/600-II Khushk-i-Nakhub, Kandahar Province, 3136'30"N, 6504'E. Salt is being produced by evaporating from a salt lake. The NaCl content of dry residue is 88.65% (67). 33/600-II Ruhabad, Kandahar Province, 3124'40"N, 6542'E. Salt is being produced from Recent lacustrine sediments. The salt contents of dry residue are 88.13% NaCl, 9.73% Na2SO4, and 1.19% CaSO4 (67). 36/600-II Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province, 3119'N, 6556'E. Salt is being produced from lacustrine sediments. The NaCl content of dry residue is 94.16% (67). Occurrences 98/500-I Usdurahar, Parwan Province, 3503'N, 6855'E. Salt has been found in travertine precipitated on the bank of the left-road tributary of the Gerband River near Namakab (19). 211

GROUP V GEMS AND DECORATIVE STONES

Ruby Deposits 165/500-II Jigdalek, Kabul Province, 3426'N, 6949'E. The area is underlain by Proterozoic marble intruded by Oligocene granite. Ruby mineralization is localized in a unit of calcite-dolomite marble and calciphyre ranging in thickness from 500 m in the west to 2,000 m in the east. Rubies are commonly observed in the vicinity of migmatite-gneiss and pegmatite outcrops. The ruby concentrate from ruby-bearing horizons yields from 122.2 to 157.3 g/cu m (113). Emerald Occurrences 47/500-II Darun, Kapisa Province, 32"29'15"N, 69"54'15"E. 48/500-II Dahane Rewat, Kapisa Province, 3529'00"N, 6950'50"E. 49/500-II Buzmal, Kapisa Province, 3528'35"N, 6950'E. 51/500-II Rewat, Kapisa Province, 3528'N, 6952'30"S. 54/500-II Mikeni, Kapisa Province, 3525'20"N, 6946'45"E. 56/500-II Khench, [Darkhenj] Kapisa Province, 3524'50"N, 69"45'30"E. All the above occurrences belong to the same type of emerald mineralization. They occur in fault zones in Ordovician limestones and shales in close spatial association with gabbro-diorite and quartz porphyry dikes making up a belt up to 3 km in width and 16 km in length. As a result of vigorous hydrothermal and metasomatic activity, compositionally different rocks in the fault zones were biotitized, albitized, carbonatized, tourmalinized, pyritized, and silicified. Metasomatically altered gabbro-diorite, dolomitic marble, quartz-biotite schist, and quartz porphyry are cut by a network of small quartz-ankerite and dolomite veinlets with beryl and emerald mineralization. Beryls of the most intense emerald colour have been found in quartz-ankertie veins which occur in gabbro-diorite dikes at the Khench and Darun occurrences. Emerald crystals are transparent, but strongly fractured. Their length is from 1 to 1.5 cm and width, from 2 to 3 mm, very occasionally up to 32 cm and 5-7 mm, respectively. Unfractured crystals 4 x 2 mm in cross-section are found in small slit-like cavities in quartz-ankerite veins. Most of the emeralds are closely intergrown with quartz, ankerite, or calcite forming parallel or randomly oriented aggregates 2 x 5 x 2 cm in size. Commonly, the emerald content of quartz-ankerite veins varies between 5 and 10% of the rock volume occasionally reaching 30%. Thick biotitized, albitized, and carbonatized gabbro-diorite dikes are most promising for gem-quality emerald (19). 129/500-II Badel, Konar Province, 3450'20"N, 7056'30"E. Emeralds occur in a pegmatite dike, 20 to 50 cm thick and 20 m long, in Proterozoic amphibolite, marble, and gneiss. Emerald crystals are found in a thin glimmerite selvage of the dike as well as at its endocontact (120). Kunzite Deposits 91/500-II Kulam, Laghman Province, 3512'07"N, 7020'04"E. The deposit consists of more than 10 dikes of albitized microcline rare-metal pegmatite occurring in an intrusion of Early Cretaceous gabbro-diorite. Two veins referred to as Main and Kunzite have been commercially evaluated. The Main Vein is about 3,000 m in length and from 0.5 to 20 m in thickness, The Kunzite Vein is 150 m long and is on the average 5 m thick. The veins are either bed-shaped, with pronounced swells and numerous offshoots, or lens-shaped. Kunzite-bearing cavities are localized in the cores and at tops of the swells, most of them on the southern sides of the veins. The cavities are isometric or slightly elongated. The size of the cavities carrying precious stones varies from 5 x 5 x 5 to 3.3 x 3.3 x 2-6 m in the Main Vein and to 1.5 x 1.6 m in the Kunzite Vein, the commonest size being 0.3 m 0.2 x 0.3 m. The minerals round in the cavities are rock crystal, 212

microcline, cleavelandite, lepidolite, transparent spodumene (kunzite) and tourmaline varieties of various colours, vorobyevite, pollucite, cassiterite, manganotantalite, microlite, petalite, and beryllium phosphates. Of economic value are large cavities containing 90 to 150 kg. of kunzite crystals producing 7 to 24% cuttable-grade stones, and tourmaline nests. Several kunzite varieties different in colour have been distinguished: pink, violet, green with a bluish tint, dark blue, colourless, yellowish-green, and polychromatic. The size of the crystals varies from 1.0 x 1.0 x 0.2 cm to 35 m 12 x 5.0 cm, the size applicable in jewelry ranging from 1.2 x 1.3 x 2 cm to 30 x 7.5 x 1.8 cm. The average recovery of monoblocks from the spodumene crystals suitable for jewelry estimated for the whole deposit is 35% of the cuttablegrade stones. The Main Vein contains pink, green, dark blue, colourless, and polychromatic tourmaline varieties applicable in jewelry. The size of the crystals amounts to 35 x 20 x 20 mm, the size suitable for jewelry application being 13 x 5 x 4 mm. The recovery of monoblocks averages 20-22% of the total amount of applicable-grade stones. Vorobyevite is associated with jewelry spodumene. It is yellowish-pink and its crystals vary in cross-section from 2 x 1 cm to 15 x 7 cm In the course of the geological exploration conducted in 1973-1975, spodumene and tourmaline were produced with attendant recovery of 1056.3 kg of spodumene yielding 615.2 kg of jewelry grade stones, or 58.2%, and 4.5 kg of tourmaline yielding 0.5 kg of jewelry grade stones, or 11.6 %. The speculative reserves of kunzite are 2,226.6 kg of grade stones and 714.7 kg of cuttable-grade stones, and those of tourmaline (grade stones) are 16.3 kg. Vorobyevite and pollucite varieties applicable for jewelry and high-grade piezo-quartz, hand-sorting beryl, and tantalite concentrate can be extracted as by-products in future mining (120). Occurrences 81/500-II Kantiwa, see the section on quartz. Garnet Occurrences 18/500-II Pachigram, Konar Province, 3545'00"N, 7111'40"E. Garnet crystals occur in Proterozoic sericite and chlorite-schists. The schists containing well-faced crystals of garnet (almandine) and staurolite form a zone 100 to 150 m wide and 500-700 m long. The garnets are from 1 to 50 mm. across (40). Lazurite Deposits 158/200-IV Saresang, Badakhshan Province, 3610'N, 7049'E. The area is underlain by Archean gneiss, marble, calciphyre, and schist intruded by alaskitic granite and basic dikes. Lenticular lapis-lazuli bodies are confined to skarn belts in calciphyre containing diopside, forsterite, scapolite, and monticellite. Nine mineralized zones, 1 to 8 m wide and 20 to 300 m long, have been located. The largest of them have been explored far 450 m along the strike and 125 m down the dip. The Category C1 reserves of lapis-lazuli are 141.4 tonnes; the Category C2 reserves, 65.3 tonnes, and the speculative reserves, 1.3 thousand tonnes (97).

Serpentine Occurrences 93/400-IV Zamburak, Kandahar Province, 3210'N, 6530'E. A zone of serpentinization has been found at the contact between Upper Triassic dolomitized limestone and Oligocene granodiorite. The serpentine varies in colour from pale yellow to dark green (116). 97/400-IV Sire Dagh, Kandahar Province, 3208'28"N, 6523'50"E. Lens-shaped and irregular bodies, 1 x 5 to 5 x 20 m in size, of serpentine-garnet-amphibole-pyroxene and serpentine amphibole skarns occur at the contact between Upper Triassic carbonate rocks and Oligocene granodiorite. The serpentine is greenishyellow, at places canary-yellow. It is being worked by primitive tools (42).

213

268/500-III Lajar, Zabul Province, 32"13'55"N, 6628'51"E. Lens-shaped bodies of massive bright green and lemon-green serpentine, 3 x 5 m in area, have been found at the contact between Late Cretaceous-Paleocene diorite and Permian dolomite. Serpentine is being worked by primitive tools (42). 25/600-II Shah Maqsud, Kandahar Province, 3140'N, 6525'E. Lens-shaped bodies of yellow to green serpentine have been traced for 30-50 m along the contact of dolomitic marble and Early Cretaceous gabbrodiorite. Serpentine is being mined manually to produce handicraft wares (116).

GROUP VI OPTICAL MATERIALS

Quartz Fields of Rare-Metal Pegmatites 57/500-II Kantiwa, see the section on lithium. Deposits 91/500-II Kulam, see the section on kunzite. Occurrences 139/200-IV Mando Qol, Badakhshan Province, 3623'N, 7129'E. Quartz veins up to 2 m thick, with vugs and nests filled with rock crystals, are associated with an Upper Triassic quartzite unit, 50 to 70 m thick, at the exocontact of an Oligocene granitic intrusion (41). 159/200-IV Darraw Su, Badakhshan Province, 3609'N, 7048'E. The mineralization is localized in a pegmatite dike, 10 m thick and 30 m long, in Archean gneiss. The quartz core, 2 m thick, contains 10 x 15 cm vugs lined with transparent needles of rock crystal, beryl (0.5 x 2.0 cm in cross-section), and muscovite crystals (120). 94/400-IV Petaw, Kandahar Province, 3209'31"N, 6541'39"E. A vein of coarse-crystalline quartz, 2.5 x 500 m in size, occurs in Oligocene granite. The quartz is translucent or transparent, its crystals being up to 20 cm in length and 4 cm across. Rauchtopaz has also been noted (42). 81/500-II Kantiwa, Konar Province, 3517'N, 7044'30"E. Rock crystals have been found in a swam of pegmatite dikes at the exocontact of Proterozoic gneiss intruded by Oligocene granite. Pegmatite bodies have been traced for 3 km. In some of the dikes, in microcline blocks replaced by cleavelandite, there are vugs, 10 to 15 cm in size, lined with smoky rock crystals, green transparent tourmaline, and scarce kunzite. The size of quartz crystals ranges from 3 x 5 to 10 x 15 cm, and that of tourmaline, from 1 x 5 to 10 x 100 mm (120). 138/500-II Khawra-Kharra, Kabul Province, 3444'N, 6930'E. Quartz veins, up to 2 m in thickness and up to 50 m in extension, which occur in Proterozoic volcanic rocks, have vugs 10 to 20 cm across, lined with rock crystals up to 10 cm in length (39). 231/500-III Korotka, Zabul Province, 3233'18"N, 6639'56"E. The mineralization is localized in 0.3 x 0.3 x 2-m. nests in Oligocene granite. Some of them enclose rock crystal and amethyst (42). 5/500-IV Alamqan, Paktya Province, 3319'05"N, 6940'25"E. Quartz veins have been found in a silicified zone up to 40 m wide, in Eocene sequence. Some of the veins, as thick as 1 m, have vugs lined with small rock crystals (less than 2.5 cm in length) (111). 6/500-IV Shamali, Paktya Province, 3318'55"N, 6937'00"E. Quartz veins and silicified zones, not more than 2 m thick, occur in Paleocene siltstone. The quartz is of a large-block structure, carrying small-size crystals of rock crystal in vugs (111). 18/500-IV Zandar Garay, Paktya Province, 3312'10"N, 6931'00"E. Quartz stringers found in a block of altered amphibolite include vugs lined with rock crystals 2 to 4 cm long (111).

214

Showings 2/200-IV 3755'N, 7113'15"E. Quartz lumps up to 20 cm across have been found in the debris of supposedly Proterozoic sandstone and quartzite near their contact with an Oligocene granitic intrusion. Vugs in the lumps enclose translucent quartz and rock crystal (1 to 3 cm long) (130.). 6/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 375215N, 7113'50"E. Two blooks, 0.5 x 1 in size, of translucent quartz with rock crystals Up to 1.5 z 4 cm in cross-section have been found in the alluvium. They are likely to be derived tram the upper reaches of the river eroding the Oligocene granitic bodies and Proterozoic metamorphic rocks (150). 7/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3751'30"N, 701540E. Rock crystals up to 4 cm in length, together with granite-porphyry fragments occur in talus deposits (150). 15/200-IV Badakhshan Province, 3741'15"N, 7114'15"E. Fragments of milk-white quartz up to 45 cm across, with voids and vugs line with rock crystals Up to 4 x 15 cm in cross-section, have been found in granite porphyry detached blocks (130). 18/400-IV Ghor Province, 3348'N, 6416E. Cataclastic sandstone of Early Cretaceous age encloses a series of quartz veins and nests in an area 5 km long and 100 m wide. The veins, 0.05 to 0.5 m in thickness and 10 m in length, consist of milk-white quartz with vugs lined with rock crystals up to 4 cm long (43). 21/400-IV Ghor Province, 3347N, 6420'E. Several closely spaced subparallel quartz veins have been found in Lower Cretaceous sandstone. The veins are composed of milk white quartz with vugs lined with rock crystals Up to 4 cm in length. The veins are 0.2 to 0.7 m thick and 1 to 50 m long (43). 217/500-II Nangarhar Province, 3415'N, 6950E. Proterozoic quartzite encloses a quartz vein 0.6 m thick and 2.5 m long, with vugs 20 x 30 cm in size lined with rock crystals 12 x 4 cm in cross-section (39).

Iceland Spar Occurrences 3/200-IV Rabat-i-Pa'in, Badakhshan Province, 3755'25"N, 7134'45"E. A zone of fractured limestone of Late Triassic-Middle Jurassic age encloses a cavity, 2 x 3 m in size lined with Iceland spar crystals up to 2 x 3.5 cm in cross-section (130). 9/400-I Gulran, see the section on barite. 74/500-III Gizab, Oruzgan Province, 3323'20"N, 6617'09"E. Iceland spar lenses and veins have been discovered in Upper Triassic limestone. The thickness of the bodies is 0.5 to 3.0 m and the length, first few tens of meters (146). 2/500-IV Yajlek, Paktya Province, 3331'50"N, 6957'50"E. Paleocene conglomerate encloses a calcite vein up to 30 cm in thickness and 100 m in length. The core of the vein is composed of transparent 2 x 3 cm crystals of Iceland spar (130). 7/500-IV Kosha, Paktya Province, 3316'N, 69'35'40"E. Eocene conglomerate encloses a zone 50 m in extension carrying lens-like bodies of transparent calcite, 40 to 50 cm thick and up to 3 m long (130).

Tourmaline Fields of Rare-Metal Pegmatites 57; 104/500-II See the sections on lithium (57, Kantiwa) and cesium and rubidium (104, Kurghal).

215

Occurrence 31/500-II Paprok, Konar Province, 3536'30"N, 7110'E. Tourmaline-bearing pegmatite veins, 5-8 m thick and 50-60 m long, are en echelon arranged in Upper Triassic shale. Crystals of gem-quality tourmaline up to 3 x 7 cm in cross-section are usually found in association with cleavelandite, lepidolite, and rauchtopaz (120). 81/500-II Kantiwa, see the section on rock crystal. 106/500-II Kurghal, Laghman Province, 3504'06"N, 7018'29"E. Tourmaline occurs in pegmatite dikes whose exposures are surrounded by Proterozoic gneiss and schist. One of the dikes, 10 to15 m thick and 150 m long, consists of medium-grained leucocratic aplite-like rock (50%) and microcline pegmatite of a small block structure, with apographic quartz growths in the microcline. The widely developed quartz-muscovite aggregates contain green tourmalines ranging in cross-section from 0.1 x 1.0 to 1.0 x 4 cm. The other dike, 7 to 10 m in thickness and more than 100 m in length, is composed of coarse-grained aplitic rock containing cleavelandite aggregates with lepidolite, green tourmaline, and cassiterite. Still other vein, 2 to 7 m thick and 30 to 35 m long, has a non-uniform symmetrically zonal structure. The zones occurring from the hanging wall down to the footwall are: 1) muscovite-quartz endocontact zone, 10 to 30 cm thick; 2) block-structure microcline pegmatite, 4 m thick, with green tourmaline; 3) block-structure quartz in 0.5 x 2.0 m. accumulations with 0.2 x 1.0m pollucite aggregates in the selvages; 4) block-structure microcline pegmatite with violet lepidolite aggregates, cleavelandite, smoky quartz, and disseminated cassiterite; and 5) leucocratic aplite (120).

GROUP VII BUILDING STONES

1. Natural Building Materials
Massive Rocks (limestone, dolomite, marl) Deposits 12/200-II Jamarji-Bala, Badakhshan Province, 3815'15"N, 7121'10"E. Silurian limestone and marl crop out over an area of 6 sq km. These are massive, thick-flaggy, slightly fractured, fine- to medium-grained rocks applicable in the production of binding materials and as building stones. The deposit is under exploitation (106). 23/200-II Ghumay, Badakhshan Province, 3808'30"N, 7115'30"E. Permian dolomite and limestone occur over an area of several square kilometers. The rocks are compact, massive, thick-flaggy, slightly fractured, fine-to medium-grained. In debris they occur as blocks up to 1.5 m in size. The deposit is being worked (106). 24/200-II Sabz, Badakhshan Province, 3808'10"N, 7033'00"E. Compact, massive, fine-to medium-grained limestones of Early Carboniferous age outcrop in an area of 3 sq km. Their fragments, up to 1 m across, occur in talus. The speculative reserves are 500 million cubic meters (106). 27/200-II Wakupwij, Badakhshan Province, 3804'50"N, 7112'00"E. Permian dolomite and limestone outcrop in area of several tens of square kilometers. The deposit is being worked (106). 19/500-I Sheniwoghur, Baghlan Province, 3543'47"N, 6833'E. An 80 m thick unit of Upper Cretaceous dolomite extends for 1 km. The dolomite is black, compact, massive (103).

Decorative Stones Deposits 10/200-II Bini Kama, Badakhshan Province, 3818'30"N, 7117'00"E. Silurian-Devonian compact, massive, coarse-to medium-grained, slightly fractured marble crops out in an area of 2 sq km. The chemical composition is: 0.2% SiO2, 0.63% Fe2O3, 53.57% CaO, 1.71% MgO, and 0.13% SO3. The hydraulic modulus (HM) is 69, and the lime-magnesia modulus is 32 (106). 216

168/500-I Maydan, Maydan Province, 3426'N, 6847'E. Marble beds 300 to 450 m thick occur in Proterozoic sequence. The marble is grey to dark grey. The beds include schist layers reaching 40 m in thickness (67). 143/500-II Karize Mir, Kabul Province, 3439'00"N, 6905'30"E. White, more rarely grey-yellow, granular marl of Proterozoic age is being worked (67). 146/500-II Alyhoi, Kabul Province, 3438'N, 69E. An outcrop of coarse-grained yellow and grey marble of Proterozoic age has the thickness of 20 m (67). 149/500-II Deke Kenak, Kabul Province, 3435'N, 6903'00"E. The deposit consists of white, at places grey and yellow marble of Proterozoic age (67). 152/500-II Ghazak, Kabul Province, 3433'30"N, 69.27'E. Proterozoic marmorized limestone and marble outcrop in the area. Their volume weight is 2.79 g/cu cm; compressive strength, 990 kg/sq cm, tensile strength, 72 kg/sq cm; elastic velocity in a rock bar, 5,580 m/sec; Young's modulus, 8.7x105 kg/sq cm; electric resistivity, 0.37x109 ohm meters and magnetic permeability, 0.984 (67). 153/500-II Khwajarawaz, Kabul Province, 3433'N, 6907'30"E. The deposit of Proterozoic marble is periodically exploited, though no special investigation has been made (67). 158/500-II Sharar, Kabul Province, 3430'N, 6910'E. A 20 m thick marble layer occurs in Proterozoic amphibolite and gneiss. The marble is largely white homogenous, occasionally containing grey to greyyellow particles (67). 170/500-II Shanhi Baranti, Kabul Province, 3425'30"N, 6914'E. White fine to coarse-crystalline marble of Proterozoic age has been found in the area (67). 172/500-II Sultan Padshah, Kabul Province, 3425'30"N, 69'08'30"E. white and grey, partly dolomitized fine-grained marble of Proterozoic age has been discovered in the area (67). 37/500-III Wardak, Maydan Province, 3347'N, 6831'E. A 50 m thick layer of fine-grained white marble of Proterozoic age, with grey streaks, extends for 8 km. Its volume weight is 2.8 g/cu cm; compressive strength, 1449 kg/sq km; tensile strength, 55 kg/sq cm elastic velocity in a rock bar, 5830 m/sec; Young's modulus, 9.52x105 kg/cm; electric resistivity, 0.1x1011ohm/meter; and magnetic permeability, 0.989 (67). 78/500-III Anguray, Ghazni Province, 3319'15"N, 6741'05"E. White and greyish white, massive, finecrystalline, slightly fractured marble of Late Permian age has been found in the area (42). 126/500-III Alaghaar, Ghazni Province, 3259'25"N, 6745'25"E. White and occasionally banded marble of Late Triassic age is easily polishable to produce polished stone of a good decoration pattern (67). 5/600-IV Arbu, Helmand Province, 2949'N, 6858'E. The deposit consists of a series of bed-shaped aragonite veins found within a subvolcanic andesite-dacite neck of Early Quaternary age and in the surrounding Early Quaternary elastic rocks. The veins are concordant or crosscutting; their thickness ranges from 0.5 to 4 m and length, from 100 to 250 m. The aragonite is predominantly of a high grade, the rock being cut into small-and medium-size blocks. The speculative reserves are 170 thousand tonnes (942). 7/600-IV Zoldag, Helmand Province, 2946'N, 6352'E. Aragonite bed-shaped bodies occur at the contact between Early Quaternary subvolcanic bodies and Pliocene sequence. The largest vein extends for 250 m and is 50 m thick. The aragonite forming large blocks is of good quality. The speculative reserves are 580 thousand tonnes (142). 9/600-IV Sukhlog, Helmand Province, 2943'N, 6327'E. Two small aragonite sheet-like bodies lie horizontally on Eocene-Oligocene tuff. The bodies are 50 x 50 and 15 x 20 m in area and 0.6 and 0.5 m in thickness, respectively. The speculative reserves are 6,350 tonnes (130). 11/600-IV Malekdokand, Helmand Province, 2943'N, 6336'E. Aragonite veins occur in Eocene-Oligocene volcanics near an andesite-dacite neck of Early Quaternary age. The veins are 1.2 to 5.0 m in thickness and up to 500 m in extension. The total area of the outcrops of the flatlying bed-shaped veins is 128.3 thousand sq m. 217

The decoration aragonite is of high quality, its colour being green and yellow. The speculative reserves are 650 thousand tonnes (142). 20/600-IV Panawuk, Helmand Province, 2934'N, 6354'E. A bed-shaped aragonite body occurs in EoceneOligocene volcanics. It is round in plan, its diameter being 12 m and thickness 3 m. The aragonite is massive, fine-grained of light green, yellowish-green, white, and brown colours. The speculative reserves are 1,000 tonnes (130). 21/600-IV Muzdan, Helmand Province, 2934'N, 6358'E. Three bed-shaped aragonite bodies, 1 to 2 m thick and 200 m long, are traced in Eocene-Oligocene volcanics. The green and yellow aragonite forms large blocks. The speculative reserves are 11.8 thousand tonnes (130). 222/700-I Spin Boldak, Kandahar Province, 3102'N, 6623'E. A series of small aragonite veins, 0.1 to 0.5 m thick, occurs in Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous rocks. The aragonite is coarse-to fine-grained, and cryptocrystalline. It is coloured yellow, dark yellow, grey, and white. The veins exhibit zonation (19). Sand, Gravels, and Boulders Deposits 1/200-II Nusay, Badakhshan Province, 3826'40"N, 705000,'E. The deposit is composed of alluvial pebbles, boulders, gravels, and sand. These form low terraces of the Panj River. The fragmental material is poorly cemented, unconsolidated, and easily separable into fractions. The pebbles and gravels are fragments of schist and gneiss (20 to 65%), quartzite (up to 20%), volcanic rocks (35 to 70%), granitic rocks (5 to 10%), ultrabasic rocks (5 to 10%), and sedimentary rocks (5 to 10%). Most of the pebbles and gravels are medium-rounded. The speculative reserves are 16 million cubic meters (106). 3/200-II Maymay Badakhshan Province, 3825'00"N, 7102'00"E. Alluvial pebbles, boulders, gravels, and sand compose a 30 m high terrace of the Panj River. The lower 14 m of the terrace consist of boulders, and the upper 16 m, of pebble beds. The speculative reserves are 3 million cubic meters (106). 4/200-II Ghuj, Badakhshan Province, 3825'N, 7106'E. Alluvial pebbles, boulders, gravels, and sand build up a 65 m high terrace of the Panj River. The fragmental material is predominantly medium-to poor-rounded. The speculative reserves are 25 million cubic meters (106). 5/200-II Waris, Badakhshan Province, 3823'30"N, 7107'30"E. Boulder beds make up 80-85% of the volume of a 65 m high Panj terrace. In the middle of the terrace the boulders are smaller in size (not more than 1.5 m across) and are interbedded with pebble beds. The speculative reserves are 60 million cubic meters (106). 6/200-II , Zangerya, Badakhshan Province, 3820'00"N, 7037'30"E. Alluvial pebbles, boulders, gravels, and sand compose two terraces of the Panj River, 22 and 35 m high. The deposits are unconsolidated and easily separable into fractions. The pebbles compose 80% of the alluvium. They consist of granitic rocks, schist, volcanics, and sandstone. Most of the fragments are medium-rounded. The boulders do not exceed 0.5 m across. The speculative reserves are more than 15 million cubic meters (106). 7/200-II Zanif, Badakhshan Province, 3818'N, 7115'E. The deposit consists of sand and pebble beds composing the Panj River terrace. The pebble beds are up to 16 m thick and fine sands, up to 12 m thick. The speculative reserves are 10 million cubic meters of pebbles and 8 million cubic meters, of sand. Boulders in the pebble beds are rare, their size being less than 40 cm (106). 9/200-II Murkhan Darrah, Badakhshan Province, 38"17'30"N, 7118'30"E. Medium and large, poorly cemented pebbles are exposed in the Panj River terrace. Most of the pebbles are medium-rounded. Occasional boulders are not more than 50 cm in size. The speculative reserves of the pebbles are 5 million cubic meters (106). 16/200-II Rawanak, Badakhshan Province, 3811'30"N, 7032'40"E. Alluvial sand, gravels, pebbles, and boulders are poorly cemented and easily separable into fractions. The pebbles consist of volcanic rocks (65%), quartzite (20%), schist (10%), and ultrabasic rocks (5%) (106). 21/200-II Amurn, Badakhshan Province, 3810'50"N, 7121'20"E. Sand, gravels, pebbles, and boulders occur in the low and intermediate terraces above the flood plain of the Panj River, 10 and 25 m high, respectively. The deposits are contaminated with rock debris cemented with clay material (106). 218

29/200-II Warw, Badakhshan Province, 3801'10"N, 7117'E. Pebbles, boulders, gravels, and sand have been found in the Panj River terrace 30 m in height. The speculative reserves are 1.5 million cubic meters (106). 1/200-IV Shewa, Badakhshan Province, 3800'N, 7116'E. Pebbles, boulders, gravels, and sand form layers 1 to 4 m thick in a 37 m high terrace of the Panj River. The speculative reserves of the pebbly-boulder sequence are 3.5 million cubic meters and those of pebbly-gravely unit are 0.5 million cubic meters (106). 45/200-IV Krunj, Badakhshan Province, 3727'00"N, 7130'30"E. Pebble beds 5 m thick extend for 5 km in a 22 m high terrace of the Panj River. Unconsolidated workable pebbles occur at the upper part of the terrace. The speculative reserves are 10 million cubic meters (106). 145/500-III Shabiam, Ghazni Province, 3256'45"N, 6749'15"E. A pebble bed 2 to 5 m thick occurs in the alluvial and alluvial-fan deposits of the Tarnak Valley over an area of 5 sq km (42). 170/500-III Abdul Qala, Ghazni Province, 3251'40"N, 3749'20"E. Gravel beds up to 4 m thick occur in the alluvial and alluvial-fan deposits of the Tarnak River over an area of 3 sq km. The gravels are well sorted (42). 200/500-III Anghonan, Ghazni Province, 3244'15"N, 6737'40"E. A bed of pebble and gravel material, 2 to 3 m thick, has been found in the alluvial and alluvial-fan deposits of the Tarnak Valley over an area of 2.3 sq km (42).

2. Cement Rocks and Other Raw Materials

Carbonate Rocks Limestone and Marl for Cement Production 30/200-II Dodkash, Baghlan Province, 3600'40"N, 6946'00"E. A 30 m thick limestone bed crops out in between Jurassic clays and siltstones. The limestone is grey, stratified, compact, and aphanitic. To be used for cement production, it needs addition of other agents (103). 23/400-I Benosh Darrah, Herat Province, 3434'30"N, 6246'20"E. Lower Triassic limestone, 464 m thick, outcrops in an area of 3 sq km. The chemical analysis revealed 5.65 to 12.55% SiO2, 1.05 to 3.60% Al2O3, 0.4 to 1.0% Fe2O3, 51.65 to 48.83% CaO, 0.65 to 0.7086 MgO, 40.24 to 85.82% loss on ignition, and 0.072 to 0.085% SO3. The moduli are 7.27 and 2.66, hydraulic; 3.90 and 2.71, silicate 2.60 and 3.60, alumina (102). 31/400-I Darrah-i-Chartag, Herat Province, 3426'20"N, 6246'00"E. Lower Triassic limestone bed up to 460 m in thickness extends for 5-6 km. The limestone is light coloured, compact, fine-grained, occasionally oolitic, and pseudo-oolitic, bearing fine organic detritus. At places the rock is contaminated with silty or sandy material making up 8% of the rock and consisting of quartz, feldspar, and more rarely altered felsite grains (102). 33/400-I Rod-i-Sanjur, Herat Province 3426'N, 6244'E. Middle-Upper Triassic limestone is fine-grained and bedded at the base and fine-grained to aphanitic, compact, with a conchoidal fracture, vaguely bedded to massive at the top. The thickness is 410 m (102). 30/400-II Laman, Badghis Province, 3445'50"N, 63"06'30"E. Upper Cretaceous marl and limestone unit over 300 m thick consists of two parts. The upper more clayey part contains 20.24% SiO2, 5.67% Al2O3, 2.59% Fe2O3, 37.57% CaO, 1.18% MgO, 0.16% SO3, 30.00% loss on ignition. The moduli are 1.31, hydraulic; 2.70, silicate; 2.19, alumina. The chemical composition of the lower limestone part is: 4.64% SiO2, 1.34% Al2O3, 0.7% Fe2O3, 51-93% CaO, 0.69% MgO, 0.17% SO3, 40.75% loss on ignition. The moduli are 7.78, hydraulic; 2.88, silicate; 3.50, alumina (103). 2/500-I Pule Khumri, Baghlan Province, 3558'24"N, 68"40'56"E. Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene limestone 300 to 500 m thick occurs over an area of several thousand square kilometers. The rock is light coloured, thick-bedded, and fine-crystalline. Limestone is being worked to supply a cement plant with raw material (103). 78/500-I Siwak, Bamyan Province, 3519'N, 6753'42"E. Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene marl and marly limestone form beds of different thickness, the largest thickness being 40 m (103).

219

96/500-II Jabal-us-Saraj, Parwan Province, 3509'20"N, 6916'30"E. The deposit consists of Proterozoic marble, which is grey, coarse grained, 450 m thick (71).

Limestone and Dolomite Fluxes Deposits 28/200-III Dodkash, Baghlan Province, 3600'47"N, 6847'20"E. A 3.9 m thick dolomite bed occurs in Lower Cretaceous siltstone, limestone, and gypsum units. In composition the rock is almost chemically pure dolomite (103). 120/500-I Bamyan, Bamyan Province, 3452'N, 6744'E. 60 to 70 m thick dolomite bed occurs in Upper Permian carbonate deposits. The dolomite satisfies the require meats of flux raw material. The Category A+B+C1 reserves to a depth of 10 m are 1.04 million tonnes (101). 122/500-I Bamyan I, Bamyan Province, 3451'N, 6744'E A 70 to 80 m thick bed of monolithic dolomite is found in Upper Permian sequence. The dolomite is fine-grained suitable for metallurgic application as flux. The Category A+B+C1 reserves are 7.5 million tonnes (101). 144/500-I Hajigak, Banyan Province, 3440'20"N, 6804'E. Upper Devonian limestone 64 m thick extends for 800-900 m. The limestone contains 49.08 to 54.7% CaO. It can be used as flux raw material. The speculative reserves in an area of 45,000 sq m. to a depth of 60 m are 3.5 million tonnes (101).

Clay Rocks Refractory Clay Deposits 49/500-I Rafak, Samangan Province, 3531'49"N,, 6751'09"E. A 5 m thick clay bed occurs in Lower Cretaceous siltstone. The clay is suitable for refractory products manufacturing (103). 62/500-I Nalak, Baghlan Province, 3525'27"N, 6809'26"E. A 13 m thick clay bed has been found in the weathering crust on Late Triassic diorite porphyrite. The clay is refractory (103). 72/500-I Tala, Baghlan Province, 3521'00"N, 6807'30"E. Lower Middle Jurassic sequence includes five clay beds varying in thickness from 0.5 to 2.7 m and extending for 500 m. The clay is of medium plasticity and high dispersion capability. It is suitable for manufacture of chamotte and semi-acidic refractory products. The Category C2 reserves are 385 thousand tonnes (101). Brick and Roofing Tile Clays Deposits 26/400-I Karukh, Herat Province, 3430'N, 6234'40"E. The deposit consists of Quaternary clay applicable for brick manufacture. The clay is being worked (102). 27/400-I Maluma, Herat Province, 3429'N, 62"44'E. The area is underlain by Quaternary clays varying in lime content and rich in silty and sandy material (102). 3 /500-I Surkhab, Baghlan Province, 2558'25"N, 6840'32"E. A bed of Neogene clay has been found in the area. The clay is used as an additive in cement production (103). 4/500-I Kawkpar, Baghlan Province, 3556'55"N, 6852'36"E. Clay beds 2 to 17 m thick have been found between Neogene sandstone and conglomerate beds. The clay is lumpy, slightly gypsiferous (103). 18/500-I Dane-i-Tor, Samangan Province, 3543'13"N, 6715'41"E. A clay bed, 40 to 50 m thick occurs in Lower-Middle Jurassic sandstone and argillite. The clay is refractory (103).

220

27/500-I Shabbashak, Samangan Province, 3441'36"N, 6727'E. Lower-Middle Jurassic clay is suitable for drilling mud production and as moulding material thanks to its granulometric composition and plasticity. A high alkali content is indicative of its heat resistance (101). 148/500-II Deh Kepal, Kabul Province, 3437'N, 6904'30"E. The deposit consists of Quaternary clay containing 56.3% SiO2 and 5.04% Fe2O3. The speculative reserves of the clay applicable for ceramic industry are 2.2 million cubic meters (101).

Porcelain and Pottery Clay Deposits 112/200-IV Tapchakhana, Takhar Province, 3635'N, 6937'E. A clay bed 4 to 5 m thick occurs in between Upper Jurassic conglomerate. The clay is dark grey to black with brown patches, thin-bedded, platy, carbonaceous. The chemical composition is: 63.27% SiO2; 0.54% TiO2; 17.62% Al2O3; 1.51% Fe2O3; 1.28% FeO; 0.1% CaO; 1.34% MgO; 0.4% Na2O; 2.88% K2O; 0.23% SO3, and 10.12% loss on ignition. The clay is used by the Qunduz porcelain factory and Kabul ceramic plant for the manufacture of porcelain ware, pottery, and electric insulators (101). 71/500-I Tala Barfak, Baghlan Province, 3521'49"N, 6810'40"E. The deposit consists of three small kaolin relics in the weathering crust on a Late Triassic subvolcanic body of quartz porphyry. The kaolin relics extend for more than 1 km, their widths reaching 250 m and thicknesses 20 m. The kaolin is white, relatively compact, at places including patches of slightly weathered rock. Its chemical composition is: 73.09 to 75.85% SiO2, 15.19 to 16.99% Al 2O3, 0.09 to 0.12% TiO2, 1.50 to 2.41% Fe2O3, traces to 0.17% CaO, traces to 0.25% MgO, 0.25 to 0.48% Na2O, 1.70 to 3.00% K2O, 0.12% SO3, and 3.63 to 4.95% loss on ignition. The fire resistance capacity is from 1540 to 1610C. The speculative reserves of the kaolin are 100-150 thousand tonnes. The kaolin is used by the Kabul ceramic plant and Qunduz porcelain factory as an additive to the charge for ceramic goods manufacture (101). Showings 79/500-I East Eshpushta, Baghlan Province 3518'37"N, 6806'02"E. A zone of slightly kaolinized rocks of Middle-Late Triassic age, 20 to 25 m thick, extends for 0.5 km (101). 83/500-I West Eshpushta, Baghlan Province, 3518'05"N, . 6804'14"E. A belt of slightly kaolinized terrigenous rocks of Lower-Middle Jurassic age, 20 m thick, extends for 300 m (101).

Sand for Glass Industry Deposits 10/200-III Koh-i-Alburs, Balkh Province, 3635'N, 6651'E. The deposit is composed of 225 m of massive quartz sandstone occurring in Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene terrigenous-carbonate sequence. The deposit comprises three areas. In the Chasbua-i-Shafa Area Upper Cretaceous poorly cemented sandstone forms a surficial deposit up to 10 m thick and 4,000 sq m in area. The chemical composition is: 86 to 91% SiO2, 0.54 to 1.41% A12O3, 1.5 to 2.5% Fe2O3, 3.53 to 4.7% Na2O + K2O, 1.21 to 1.96% CaO, 0.32 to 1.75% MgO, and 0.20 to 1.72% loss on ignition. After dressing the sandstone can be used in the manufacture of bottle glass and window pane. The speculative reserves are 110 thousand tonnes. In Sati-Takalyar Area, erosion has exposed poorly cemented sandstone as thick as 225 n. The sandstone is light grey, fine-grained, quartz-feldspathic, cemented with clay-carbonate material. The main grain fractions (0.2, 0.16, 0.1 mm.) in the sandstone average 82.4%, and the clay fraction, 4.3%. The deposit has been explored for an extension of 1,900 m and to a depth of 25 to 97 m on the average). In Kati-Takalyar Area, the Category C1+C2 reserves are 10.9 million tonnes (101).

221

Quartz Sandstone Deposits 115/200-IV Farhar, Takhar Province, 3632'-3636'N, 6949'30"- 6951'E. The area is underlain by Lower Carboniferous siltstone, sandstone, and shale containing two quartz sandstone beds, 50 to 120 m in thickness and 1.2 to 8 km in length. Their SiO2 content is from 95 to 97.3% (81). 145/500-I Hajigak, Bamyan Province, 3440'N, 6804'E. The deposit is composed of Upper Devonian quartz sandstone 50 m thick. Its SiO2 content is from 93.66 to 97.31%. The speculative reserves are 650 thousand tonnes (101).

GROUP VIII MINERAL WATERS

1. Nitrous Waters
Reservoirs 68/400-III Chashma-i-Gharmab, Farah Province, 3221'30"-N, 6231'50"E. Alt. 1,000 m. Slightly bubbling water springs issue from fractured granite of Oligocene age (89). M0.5 Cl 49 HCO3 40 Na 61 Ca 32 t 30, D 346 70/400-III Dorobode Payn, Farah Province, 3219'16"N, 6203'04"E. Alt. 650 m. The outflow is confined to Lower Cretaceous limestone (89). M1.3 SO4 62 HCO3 36 Ca 36 Mg 32 Na 32 t 23 D 2592 27/400-IV Manake Bala, Ghor Province, 3340'06"N, 6354'10"E. Alt. 2,250 m. The outflow is associated with a fractured zone at the contact between Lower Cretaceous limestone and claystone (89). M0.2 HCO3 91 Ca 65 Mg 20 t 18 D 12960 64/400-IV Kwaja Garmab, Helmand Province, 3240'44"N, 6456'35"E, Alt. 1,500 m. Water is discharged from a fractured zone in Upper Permian limestone (89). M0.4 HCO3 75 SO4 20 Mg 52 Ca 34 t 22 D 3456 76/400-IV Mazar, Helmand Province, 3221'00"N, 6510'10"E. Alt. 1,020 m. The outflow is confined to a fractured zone in Upper Triassic limestone (89). M0.4 HCO3 47 SO4 38 Mg 49 Na 29 Ca 22 t 28 D 2160 80/400-IV Garm-ab, Helmand Province, 3217'N, 6514'50"E. Alt. 1,100 m. The outflow is associated with a fractured zone in Middle Triassic limestone (89). M0.7 Cl 45 HCO3 25 SO4 20 Na 59 Ca 25 t 42 D 605 82/400-IV Ziarat Garmab, Helmand Province, 3214'50"N, 6500'40"E. Alt. 980 m. The outflow is confined to fractures in Upper Triassic limestone. A bathing pavilion is constructed at the spring (89). M0.6 HCO3 44 SO4 39 Ca 35 Mg 35 Na 29 t 38 D 259 Springs 67/200-IV Galbagh, Badakhshan Province, 3712'30"N, 7127'00"E. Alt. 2,500 m. The outflow consists of two artesian type springs issuing from gravel-shingle deposits of Quaternary age (40). M0.47 HCO3 71 SO4 15 Cl 14 Ca 73 Na 16 D 3416 92/200-IV Darya-i-Yaghdare, Badakhshan Province, 3712'30"N, 7127'00"E. Alt. 2,700 m. The spring issues from fractures in Archean gneiss (40). 222

M0.83 HCO3 88 SO4 10 Ca 50 Mg 34 t 22 D 216 93/200-IV Zarinjal, Badakhshan Province, 3648'30"N, 7131'30"E. Alt. 2,500 m. The water flows out a fault zone in Archean gneiss. The discharge is 130 m3/day, the temperature is 37C (40). 95/200-IV Mochkhul, Takhar Province, 3643'40"N, 6936'38"E. Alt. 810 m. The water flows out from gravel - shingle deposits (81). M0.81 HCO3 68 Cl 21 Ca 34 Mg 30 Na 26 D 16 145/200-IV Sanglech, Badakhshan Province. 3617'30"N, 7111'00'E. Alt. 3,200 m. The outflow is confined to a fault Zone in Archean granitic gneiss (67). M0.81 HCO3 82 SO4 14 Ca 55 Mg 40 D 432 150/200-IV Tahana-i-Bandar, Badakh Province, 3613'00"N, 7109'30"E. Alt. 3,650 m. The outflow of water is associated with a fault zone in Archean rocks (67). M2.03 HCO3 71 SO4 28 Ca 50 Mg 47 D 259 2/400-II Chashma-i Nayak, Badghis Province, 3549'00"N, 6350'10"E. Alt. 680 m. The outflow takes place from a suffusion dimple in Middle Quaternary loess-like loam (89). M3.6 SO4 51 Cl 33 Na 70 Mg 19 t 17 D 4.3 3/400-II Kwaja Qadir, Badghis Province, 3546'10"N, 6337"E. Alt. 545 m. The water flows out from an excavation that has exposed Middle Quaternary shingle and loan (89). M1.4 SO4 42 HCO3 34 Cl 22 Na 58 Mg 22 t 24 D 12.7 8/400-II Khotun, Badghis Province, 3535'55"N, 6347'20"E. Alt. 920 m. The water flows out from a suffusion dimple in Pleistocene sandy loam (89). M4.8 SO4 53 Cl 35 Na 73 Mg 19 t 18 p 12.7 18/400-II Ab shora, Badghis Province, 3510,55"N, 6301'45"E. Alt. 752 m. The outflow is confined to a fractured zone in Eocene siltstone and claystone (89). M6.9 SO4 72 Cl 24 Na 51 Mg 26 Ca 22 t 21 D 1269 19/400-II Darrah-i-Bum, Badghis Province, 3509'15"N, 6328'00"E.. Alt. 750 m. The outflow is restricted to a fault zone is Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene limestone (89). M 2.1 SO4 52 Cl 33 Na 49 Ca 30 t 24 D 708 27/400-II Garchaghay, Badghis Province, 3450'40"N, 6322'20"E. Alt. 1,210 m Numerous springs issue from Eocene limestone (89). M1.5 SO4 74 HCO3 18 Ca 65 Mg 20 Na 14 t 18 D 6048 28/400-II Hok-Padak, Badghis Province, 3453'36"N, 6337'00"E. Alt. 1,650 m. The outflow is confined to the contact between Quaternary loam and Eocene-Oligocene extrusive rocks (89). M 3.1 SO4 56 Cl 34 Na 68 Mg 20 t 17 D 86 49/400-II Pule Harirod, Ghor Province, 3431'24"N, 6515'06"E. Alt. 2,250 m. The outflow is restricted to gravel-shingle deposits of Quaternary age (89). M 0.7 HCO3 64 Na 36 Ca 35 Mg 27 t 12 D 22 50/400-II Madraza, Ghor Province, 3431'21"N, 6530'00"E. Alt. 2,400 m. The water flows out from Middle Quaternary conglomerate (89).

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M 0.4 HCO3 40 Cl Mg 26 t 14 D 86 82/400-II Paye-Kotal, Ghor Province, 3412'40"N, 6425'30"N. Alt. 2,725 m. The spring issues from a fault zone in Pliocene rocks. Salt is extracted from the water by the locals (89). M 341.12 Cl 98 Na 98 t 15 8/400-IV Khadir, Oruzgan Province, 3355'21"N, 6555'44". Alt. 2,400 m. The water flows out from gravelshingle deposits (89). M 0.29 HCO3 71SO4 11 Mg 50 Ca 27 Na 22 t 10 D 216 71/500-III Ghuji, Oruzgan Province, 3326'45"N, 6611'30"E. Alt. 1,325 m. The discharge of individual spouts amounts to 4,320 m3/ day at the faulted contact between Proterozoic quartz sandstone and Upper Triassic limestone (89). M 0.3 HCO3 88 Ca 48 Mg 36 t 22 D 10368 89/500-III Wolongak, Oruzgan Province, 3312'30"N, 6621'30"E. Alt. 1900 m. The outflow is observed over a distance of 1,000 m, the discharge of separate spouts amounting to 5,184 m3/day in a fault zone at the limestone-siltstone contact (89). M 0.3 HCO3 88 Ca 57 Mg 39 t 22-25 D 17280 189/500-III Kalatag Garmaw, Oruzgan Province, 3245'30"N, 6629''15"E. Alt. 2,500 m. Two springs issue from the zone of contact between Upper Permian limestone and siltstone (89). M 0.6 HCO3 86 Ca 57 Na 28 t 25-31 D 216 209 500-III Kughel, Oruzgan Province, 3241'45"N. 6607'00"E. Alt. 1,951m. The outflow is confined to the contact between Lower Cretaceous sandstone and siltstone (89). M 1.0 SO4 46 HCO3 32 Na 50 Mg 29 t 21-23 D 43

2. Sulphur Waters
Reservoirs 3/200-III Ghanj, Balkh Province, 3651'00"N. 6715'00"E. A high-pressure thermal water reservoir has been found by drilling (Wells 1 and 2) in Bukharian limestone at depths from 560 to 570 m. The water evolves hydrogen-sulphide bubbles (89). HSO0.05 M2.6 Cl 84 Ca 54 Mg 28 t 36 D 30,000-120,000 Well 1 HSO0.06 M2.6 Cl 85 SO4 10 Ca 69 Mg 30 t 36 D 2160 Well 2 Springs 26/500-IV Tenag, Paktya Province, 3300'00"N, 6908'00"E. Alt. 2,500 m. The spring issues frog Eocene sandstone. The discharge is 0.5 m3/day, the temperature is 20C, and dissolved-solids content is 2.96 g/l. The water is of the chloride-sodium type (89). 29/500-IV Kakakhel, Paktya Province, 3232'00"N, 6921'00"E. Alt. 2,450 m. The outflow is confined to a fractured zone in Triassic sandstone. The discharge is 8.8m3/day, the temperature of water is 20C, dissolved solids content is 1.06 g/l. The water is of the bicarbonate-magnesium and calcium type (89).

3. Carbonated Waters
Reservoirs 11/200-III Chashma-I-Shafa Balkh Province, 3633'00"N, 6656'30"E. Alt. 446 m. The outflow is confined to a fault zone in Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene deposits. The total extent of the spring discharge area is about 224

500 m. In the lower portion of the discharge site, a 2.6 x 2.7 m capture pool, housed in a building has been built. The mineral-water reservoir bas been utilized for 80 years (89). (CO2 0.5 N2) M 1.8 SO4 42 Cl 46 Na 48 Ca 32 t 32-34 D 259 SiO2 = 26 mg/l, Br = 0.6 mg/l, F = 1.3 mg/l 5/400-I Kalta Kay, Herat Province, 3503'50"N, 6129'45"E. Alt. 1,040 m. The reservoir consists of 11 springs issuing from a fault zone in Pliocene sandstone. The brines are used by the locals for salt extraction (89). M 80.3 Cl 96 Na 95 t 29.5 D 190 8/400-I Kushk-I-Khuna Badghis Province, 3452'40"N, 6230'30"E. Alt. 1,025-1,035 m. The reservoir is confined to a fault in Eocene sandstone. Water discharge results in travertine deposition. The springs discharge from 0.86 to 8.6 m3/day, the water temperature varies between 17 and 26C. The water is of the Bicarbonate-sodium type, the free CO2 content is from 3.8 to 9.5 g/l, and the dissolved-solids content is from 2.6 to 7.7g/l. (89). 125/500-I Qala, Bamyan Province, 3448'00"N, 6802'00"E. Alt. 2,445-2,680 m. The water outflow is confined to a fault zone in Proterozoic schist. The springs are bubbling and lay down travertine. Two of them yielding 518 and 19 m3/day, are captured by pools (89). Br = 2.5 mg/l, F = 0.6 mg/l. CO2 2.2 M5.1-7.2 Cl 64 HCO3 31 Na 76 Ca 13 t 31-32 D 864 132/500-I Khwaja-Quch, Bamyan Province, 3446'00"N, 6727'30"E. Alt. 3,025 m Five springs discharge water on a travertine ridge, 600 m long, overlying carbonate-terrigenous deposits of Pliocene age (89). CO2 3.3 M2.9 HCO3 96 Mg 43 Ca 34 Na 23 t10 D270 160/500-1 Ghor-Ghori, Bamyan Province, 3430'00"N, 6655'09"E. Alt. 2,950-3.010 m. A group of springs is situated in a faulted contact zone between Paleogene and Neogene strata. The water is discharged with gas bubbles; the discharge of spouts is as high as 172 m3/day (89). Br = 0.5 mg/l, F-0.4 mg/l. CO22.2 H2SiO3 0.03 HCO3 73 Cl 24 Na 65 Ca 25 M0.8-2.0 t 24-35 D 5184 162/500-I Chil, Bamyan Province, 3427'40"N, 664856"E. Alt. 3,050 m Mineral water springs issue from the faulted contact zone between Upper Cretaceous limestone and Miocene siltstone. They discharge from 87 to 2,592 m3/day (89). M 1.0 HCO3 74 Cl 22 Na 15 Ca 74 t 19 D 6048 171/500-I Nawe-Mazari, Bamyan Province, 3425'05"N, 6641'30"E. Alt. 2,950 and 3,020 m. Two slightly babbling springs issue from a fault zone in Miocene deposits. The water is discharged from a travertine dome (89). Br content is 0.5 mg/l; F content is 0.2 mg/l. CO2 2.0 H2SiO3 0.03 M 0.9 HCO3 73 Cl 23 Na 37 Ca 57 t 23 D 8640 CO2 1.2 H2SiO3 0.03 M 0.6 HCO3 43 Cl 53 Na 66 Ca 29 t 18 D 8640 213/500-I Shore Darya, Ghazni Province, 3404'55"N, 680220"E. Alt. 2,760-2,800 m. In an area of 1-1.5 km2 numerous springs issue from travertine overlying Carboniferous-Lower Permian limestones, discharging as much as 1,728 to 2,592 m3/day (89). CO2 0.8 M 0.7 HCO3 90 Ca 38 Mg 53 t 16-20 D 86400 24/500-II Darrah-i-Kaza, Baghlan Province, 3538'04 N, 6936'32"E. Alt. 2,600 m. Bubble water seepages from fractures in Early Triassic granitic rocks (89). 225

M 0.95 Cl 86 Na 73 Ca 27 t 53 D 86 132/500-II Estalef, Kabul Province, 3449'00t"N, 6904'00"B. - Alt. 1,820 m. A group of bubbling springs issues from a fault zone in metamorphic rocks of Proterozoic age and the overlying alluvial and alluvial-fan deposits. One of the springs is captured in a gallery, another by a well-type pool (89). The content of SiO2 is 22 mg/l, P = 0.4 mg/l, Br = 0.8 mg/l. CO2 1.6-2.6 M 2.0 HCO3 54 Cl 46 Na 67 Ca 19 19 t 17-18 D 80-100 225/500-II Awparang, Logar Province, 3411'22"N, 6915'42"E. Alt. 2,350 m. A group of springs are distributed along the fault zone at the contact between a basic intrusion and Upper Permian limestone. Travertine fields and dams are observed there (95). CO2 M 1.14 HCO3 73 Cl 20 Na 41 Ca 45 Mg 13 t 29 D8640 12/500-III Gudri-Mazari, Bamyan Province, 3357'5"N, 6728'30"E. Alt. 2,800 m. The springs issue from Carboniferous - Lower Permian limestones. The west spring, a discharge of 17.3 m3, is captured in a pool (89). CO2 M 0.4 HCO3 86 Ca 39 Mg 44 t 40-42 D 43 168/500-III Kshotta Garmab, Oruzgan Province, 3251'50"N, 6629'00"E. Alt. 1,950 m. The outflow takes place on a travertine terrace at the contact between Upper Jurassic-Lower Cretaceous limestones and siltstones. One of the springs is captured. (89). Br = 2 mg/l, F = 0.4 mg/l CO2 0.56 H2SiO3 0.06 M 0.7 HCO3 81 Cl 11 Na 41 Ca 51 t 39-40 D 4320 Springs 17/300-III Daryai-I-Alisu, Badakhshan Province, 3711'17"N, 7307'12"E. Slightly mineralized thermal water associated with a fault zone in Early Cretaceous granitic rocks (75). M 0.46 HCO3 47 SO4 25 Na 93 t 55 D 1278 22/300-III Sarhad, Badakhshan Province, 3700'35"N, 7325'55"E. The spring issue from a fault zone in Carboniferous-Lower Permian deposits (75). M 0.58 HCO3 76 SO4 14 Na 69 Mg 17 t 70 D130 26/300-III Ners, Badakhshan Province, 3658'38"N, 7519'46"E. The bubbling water is associated with a fault zone in Archean granitic gneiss (75). M 0.87 HCO3 79 Na 26 Ca 60 Mg 14 t 20 D 5184 11/400-I Gashuti, Herat Province, 3447'50"N, 6152'60"E. Alt. 1,160 m. The spring issues from a fault zone in Eocene sandstone (89). M 109 Cl 98 Na 98 t 26 D 8.6 16/400-I Khaja Gurgaw, Herat Province, 3441'15"N, 6224'05"E. Alt. 1,790 m. The bubbling water is associated with a fault zone at the contact between Lower Triassic and Eocene deposits, and lays down travertine (89). CO2 2.6 M 0.9 HCO3 81 Na 55 Mg 41 t 13 16 D 173 17/400-I Darrah-i-Jowal, Badghis Province, 3440'40"N, 6240'30"E. Alt. 1,520 m. The bubbling spring issues from a fault zone in Upper Cretaceous terrigenous-carbonate rocks. Ancient travertine occurs nearby (89). M 2.8 HCO3 58 SO4 Na 85 Mg 13 t 19-21 D 86.4 48/400-II Sharshari, Herat Province, 3431'45"N, 6348'30"E. Alt. 1,200 m. The water flows cut from Lower Triassic sandstone (89). 226

M 17.0 Cl 98 Na 86 t 19 D4.32 58/400-II Arwij, Herat Province, 3422 "N, 6328'E. Alt. 1,390 m. The dissipated outflow takes place from the base of a travertine ridge as high as 50 m (89). CO2 3.4 M 1.2 C1 49 HCO3 40 Na 71 Mg 24 t 22 D 17.2 62/400-II Khwaja Hosman, Herat Province, 3420'10"N, 6336'40"E. Alt. 1,465 m. Slightly bubbling water flows out into a pool at the top of a travertine hillock (89). CO2 2.8 M 0.8 HCO3 69 SO4 26 Na 16 Ca 70 t 31 D 215-260 63/400-II Tagaw-Ghaza, Herat Province, 3420'10"N, 6339'30"E. Alt. 1,480 m. A group of springs occur along a fault zone (89). The content of SiO2 is 150 mg/l; Br 0.5 mg/l; F = 0.6 mg/l. CO2 3.1 M 2.0 HCO3 75 Cl 19 Na 67 Ca 22 t 23-24 D 198.7 95/400-II Monara, Ghor Province, 3407'15"N, 6432'00"E. Alt. 2,550 m. The spring issues from a fractured zone in Lower Cretaceous sandstone (89). M 3.82 HCO3 67 SO4 22 Na 95 t 15 D 4.32 5/400-IV Malakak, Ghor Province, 3356'40"N, 6505'05"E. Alt. 2,700 m Four springs discharging bubbling water issue from Lower Cretaceous sandstone (89). M 2.3 HCO3 93 Na 28 Mg 62 t 16 D 8.6 4/400-IV Qeshlage Geldan, Ghor Province, 3356'45"N, 63 54'35"E. Alt. 2,430 m. The bubbling water seepages from fractures in Lower Cretaceous shale (89) M 4.3 HCO3 79 SO4 14 Na 73 Ca 17 t 14 D 8.6 13/400-IV Pigul, Ghor Province, 3351'30"N, 6325'00"E. Alt. 2,300m. The bubbling water is associated with Lower Cretaceous sandstone (89). M 3.5 HCO3 76 Ca 40 Na 39 Mg 21 t 11 D 4.32 23/400-IV Gergi, Farah Province, 3346'00"N,63'19'40"E. Alt. 2,450 m. Two bubbling water springs issue from Quaternary rock debris. The distance between the springs is 180 m (89). M 2.3 HCO3 95 Ca 84 Mg 14 t 10.5 D 4.40 26/400-IV Jegda, Ghor Province, 3341'10"N, 6441'16"E. Alt. 2,700 m. The bubbling water flows out from fractures in Lower Cretaceous sandstone (89). M1.47 HCO3 89 Ca 86 t 11 D 4.32 SiO2 - 30 mg/l 4/400-IV Kohe Bande Syah, Ghor Province, 3321'36"N, 6441'16"E. Alt. 2,700m. The bubbling water is discharged from fractures in Lower Cretaceous claystone and siltstone (89). The SiO2 content is 80 mg/l. M 1.39 HCO3 96 Ca 81 Mg 14 t 13.5 D 4.32 6/500-I Pule Khumri, Baghlan Province, 3556'00"N, 6843'00"E. Alt. 600 m. Four springs are distributed over a distance of 220 m. They discharge slightly bubbling water from a fault zone in Paleogene deposits (89). The content of F is 0.9 mg/l, of Br = 0. 7 mg/l. H2SiO3 0.01 M 1.6 SO4 38 Cl 35 HCO3 27 Na 50 Mg 22 Ca 28 t 22-33 D 1468.8 114/500-I Yakhi Way, Bamyan Province, 3457'55"N, 6758'45"E. Alt. 3,080 m. The spring discharging heavily bubbling water issues from Ordovician deposits (14). The content of Br is 0.5 mg/l or more, F = 0.6 ug/l.

227

CO2 1.9 H2SiO3 0.03 M 0.4 HCO3 71 Cl 21 Na 46 Ca 27 t 16 D 17.3 116/500-I Dahne Pasak, Parwan Province, 3456'45"N, 6838'45"E. Alt. 2,400m.The outflow is confined to a belt of Lower Carboniferous carbonaceous shale (14). CO2 H2SiO3 0.004 M 3.1 HCO3 74 Cl 20 Na 42 Mg 39 t 18-26 D 17.3 117/500-I Done Wolongak, Parwan Province, 3455'00"N, 6819'16"E. Alt. 2,500 m. The spring discharges slightly bubbling water from travertine overlying a fault zone in Lower Carboniferous limestone (14). CO2 1.1 H2SiO3 0.05 M 0.76 HCO3 59 Cl 32 Ca 74 t 31 D 691-864 119/500-I Makola, Parwan Province 3453'25"N, 6833'42"E. Alt. 2,150 m. The water spring is discharged from Lower carboniferous carbonaceous shale (14). CO2 0.67 H2SiO3 0.13 M 4.3 HCO3 54 Cl 35 Na 46 Ca 38 t 20-30 D 17.3 124/500-I Darrah-i-Azdar, Bamyan Province, 3449'00"N, 6744'00"E. Alt. 2,650 m. The water seeps from several caverns on a travertine ridge (89). Traces of F have been found in the water. CO2 M 3.2 Cl 54 HCO3 46 Na 70 Mg 18 t 25 D 43 136/500-I Kohe Rashak, Bamyan Province, 3443'00"N, 6750'00"E. Alt. 2,950 m. The water outflow is associated with a fault zone in Lower Carboniferous shale and quartzite (89). CO2 1.0 M 3.7 HCO3 78 Cl 11 Na 49 Ca 34 t 25 D 43 146/500-I Ajar-Toyserdak, Bamyan Province, 3438'40"N, 6653'20''E. Alt. 2,700 m Five springs discharge heavily bubbling water along the crest of a travertine ridge 80 m long and 15 m high. The travertine rests on shale and marble The content of Br is 4 mg/l that of F = 0.2 mg/l. CO2 4.4 H2SiO3 0.07 M 12.5 HCO3 44 Cl 50 Na 96 t 13-15 D 8.64 148/500-I Monte Kalay, Bamyan Province, 3436'40 "N, 6657'50"E. Alt. 2,900 m. Strongly bubbling water issues from a spring in a fault zone in Carboniferous shale (89). The Br content is less than 0.5 mg/l, F = 1.2 mg/l. CO2 2.8 H2SiO3 0.06 M 2.4 SO4 53 HCO3 37 Mg 36 Na 34 t 13 D 8.64 149/500-I Sarjangal, Banyan Province, 3436'05"N, 6733'50"E. Alt. 3,270 m. A 60x40 m seep is observed on the first terrace with-the water bubbling over the entire area (89). The F content is 0.6 mg/l. CO2 M 0.76 HCO3 80 Cl 20 Na 50 Ca 42 t 9 D 86.4 150/500-I Jirakhana, Bamyan Province, 3434'50"N, 6730'40"E. Alt. 2,990 m. Gas-evolving water is associated with Oligocene sandstone and siltstone. The water is used by nomads to make food salty. The Br content is 0,65 mg/l. CO2 1.78 H2SiO3 0.06 M 29.1 Cl 90 Na 93 t 14.5 D 25.9 151/500-I Syahrug, Bamyan Province, 3435'40"N, 6732'20"E. Alt. 3,080 m. A spring issues from travertine overlying Oligocene conglomerate (89). Traces of Br have been found, the F content is 0.4 mg/l. CO2 2.1 H2SiO3 0.05 M 1.1 HCO3 70 SO4 22 Ca 74 t 20 D 276.4 153/500-I Chashma-i-Jush-Shonak, Maydan Province 3433'45"N, 6811'00"E. Alt. 3,000 m. A group of springs issues from Proterozoic rocks (89). CO2 2.5 H2SiO3 0.08 M 2.4 HCO3 76 Cl 24 Na 35 Ca 41 Mg 24 t 10-12 D 86.4 153/500-I Shebar, Bamyan Province, 3430'50"N, 6702'50"E. Alt. 2,950 m. A group of springs occur on either side of the Takshuron River over a distance of 90 m. The water issues from red conglomerate of Miocene age (89). The content of Br is 0.5 mg/l, of F is 1 mg/l.

228

CO2 0.9 H2SiO3 0.033 M 0.6 HCO3 78 Cl 18 Na 34 Ca 57 t 32-33 D 6506 161/500-I Gerdani Diwal, Maydan Province, 3429'00"N, 6812'35"E. Alt. 3,000 m. A heavily bubbling spring issues from a travertine ridge, 400 m long, overlying Proterozoic schist (89). The Br content is 0.5 mg/l. CO2 3.4 H2SiO3 0.13 M 5.3 HCO3 38 Cl 56 Na 64 Ca 30 t 10 D 13 166/500-I Gerdani Burida, Bamyan Province, 3427'10"N, 6703'10"E. Alt. 2,800 m. Heavily bubbling springs issue from Lower Cretaceous limestone over a 250 m distance. The discharge of individual spouts ranges from 8.64 to 172.8 m3/day (89). The concentration of Br is less than 0.5 mg/l, F=0.8mg/l. CO2 1.8 H2SiO3 0.03 M 0.9 HCO3 74 Cl 26 Na 63 Ca 27 t 23-28 D 604.8 172/500-I Nor-i-Fulot, Maydan Province, 3420'55"N, 6849'15"E. Alt. 2,240 m. The water is associated with travertine overlying marble and schist of Proterozoic age. The water is used for a curative bathing (89). CO2 M 2.2 HCO3 98 Ca 61 Mg 34 t 25 D 4.3 174/500-I Khire-Kotal, Maydan Province, 3423'45"N, 6823'35"E. Alt. 3,200 m. A water-gas spout issues from peat bog lying on Paleozoic shale and marble (.89). CO2 2.1 M 0.6 HCO3 96 Na 44 Ca 55 t 10 D 8.7 175/500-I Panjaw, Bamyan Province, 3423'40"N, 6701'20"E. Alt. 2,650 m. A group of springs issues from a fault zone in Lower Cretaceous limestone and siltstone (89). The content of Br is 0.5 mg/l, that of F = 0.6 mg/1. CO2 2.7 H2SiO3 0.06 M 0.8-1.4 HCO3 46 Cl 42 Na 74 Ca 16 SO4 12 t 20 D 778 178/500-I Tarbolaq, Ghor Province, 3423'00"N, 6632'40"E. Alt. 3,000 m. A heavily bubbling spring issues from fractures in travertine overlying a fault zone at the contact between carbonaceous shale and limestone of Early Middle Jurassic age (89). F content is 0.8 mg/l. CO2 3.1 H2SiO3 0.055 M 1.6 HCO3 47 Cl 42 Na 60 Ca 32 t 13 D 26 179/500-I Shaytona, Maydan Province, 3421'55"N, 6749'00"E. Alt. 2,875 m. Two slightly bubbling springs, located 300 m apart, issue from fractures in Proterozoic hornfels (89). Traces of Br are detected; F content is 1.6 mg/l. H2SiO3 0.033 CO2 M 0.7 HCO3 71 Cl 29 Na 80 t 33 D 17.2-25.9 180/500-I Garmaw, Maydan Province, 3421'50"N, 6805'45"E. Alt. 3,040-3,050 m. Two springs, located 15 m apart, issue from the contact zone between Upper Cretaceous Paleocene gabbroic rocks and Carboniferous-Lower Permian terrigenous formations (89). Traces of Br are detected; F content is 1.6 mg/l. CO2 0.4 H2SiO3 0.06 M 0.3 HCO3 75 Cl 20 Na 82 t 39 D 345.6 181/500-I Sarae-Morkhona, Bamyan Province, 3421'40"N, 6728'20"E. Alt. 2,580 m. The water precipitates travertine overlying crystalline schist, gneiss, and marble of Proterozoic age (89). The content of F is 1 mg/l, that of Br = 0.5 mg/l. CO2 4.0 H2SiO3 0.068 M 1.1 HCO3 86 Na 59 Ca 28 t 29-39 D 25.9 185/500-I Sul-Tole, Maydan Province, 3418'30"N, 6813'45"E. Alt. 2,700 m. A bubbling spring issues from sandstone, shale, and limestone strata of Carboniferous-Early Permian age (89). The content of F is 0.8 Mg/l of Br = 0.5 mg/l. CO2 1.6 H2SiO3 0.03 M 1.6 HCO3 65 Cl 30 Na 70 t 20 D 69.1 193/500-I Dang-i-Darakht, Oruzgan Province, 3415'30"N, 6629'30"E. Alt. 2,750 m. The water is associated with Lower Cretaceous terrigenous rocks (89). CO2 1.53 H2SiO3 0.03 M 0.0.6 HCO3 73 Cl 18 Na 40 Ca 37 t 9 D 69.1 229

198/500-I Done Qutkuti, Oruzgan Province, 3413'37"N, 6606'48"E. Alt. 2,500 m. A group of springs issues from travertine overlying Cretaceous sandstone and conglomerate (89). CO2 3.21 H2SiO3 0.05 M 8.2 Cl 98 Na 97 t 18 D 17.3 203/500-I Surkhnawr, Oruzgan Province, 3411'00"N, 6626'40"E. Alt. 2,700 m. A spring issues from brecciated carbonate rocks of Late Jurassic-Early Cretaceous age (89). CO2 2.4 H2SiO3 0.04 M 1.5 HCO3 93 Na 29 Mg 69 t 10 D 216 204/500-I Khushk Joi, Orzugan Province, 3410'15"N, 6624'10"E. Alt. 2,450 m. The water is associated with Lower Cretaceous carbonate-terrigenous rocks (89). M 1.6 SO4 59 HCO3 37 Na 65 Mg 26 t 15 D 26 207/500-I Bande Azdar, Maydan Province, 3409'40"N, 6749'55"E. Alt. 3,050 m. A group of springs issues from travertine overlying Middle Triassic carbonate strata. One of the springs is captured in a 15 x 20 m pool (89). The content of Br is 0.5 mg/l, of F=1.4 mg/l. CO2 2.0 H2SiO3 0.058 M 1.4-2.4 HCO3 86 Cl 12 Na 43 Ca 27 Mg 30 t 19-36 D 592 212/500-I Tarnowa, Ghazni Province, 3405'00"N, 6809'55"E. Alt. 2,600 m. A slightly bubbling spring issues from a fractured zone of Silurian limestone (89). CO2 1.9 M 1.4 HCO3 83 Cl 11 Ca 76 Mg 16 t 16 D 216 13/500-III Shodikhel, Maydan Province, 3356'20"N, 6839'20"E. Alt. 2,250 m. A spring issues from Proterozoic schist (89). Br content is 1.8 mg/l. CO2 2.5 H2SiO3 0.1 M 3.5 HCO3 56 Cl 42 Na 65 Ca 25 t 16.5 D 34.6 23/500-III Chaharsadkhona, Oruzgan Province, 3353'55"N, 6713'30"E. Alt. 2,250 m. A slightly bubbling water spring issues from Proterozoic schist (89). CO2 M 1.4 HCO3 71 SO4 23 Na 90 t 45 D 17.3 30/500-III Dashte Nawer, Ghazni Province, 3351'45"N, 6750'30"E. Alt. 3,180 m. A bubbling spring issues from Early Quaternary dacite. The water flows out of travertine (89). F content is 0.2 mg/l. CO2 22 H2SiO3 0.1 M 3.1 HCO3 90 Ca 66 Mg 24 t 18 D 17.3 51/500-III Borgol Morkhana, Ghanzi Province, 3343'55"N, 6822'20"E. Alt. 2,375 m. A bubbling spring issues from the contact zone between Proterozoic schist and pegmatite near Oligocene granite (89). CO2 3.7 M 5.0 HCO3 44 Cl 54 Na 87 t 14 D 17.3 73/500-III Shah Obulfakh, Ghazni Province, 3325'15"N, 6819'00"E. Alt. 2,200 m. A bubbling spring issues from floodplain sand overlying Proterozoic schist (89). The Br content is 0.8 mg/l. CO2 1.6 H2SiO3 0.07 M 2.5 HCO3 55 Cl 44 Na 66 t 15 D 8.6 91/500-III Mushakan, Ghazni Provinces 3313'00"N, 6809'00"E. Alt. 2,060 m. The water is associated with Lower Quaternary volcanics overlying Proterozoic rocks (89). M 1.1 HCO3 52 Cl 34 Na 65 Ca 23 t 15 D 950.4 12/500-III Osyaki, Oruzgah Province, 3304'00"N, 6649'00"E. Alt. 2,500 m. A spring issues from a fractured zone in Upper Permian sandstone (89). M 0.7 HCO3 88 Ca 55 Mg34 t 26 D 216 140/500-III Oruzgan, Orusgan Province, 3257'00"N, 6638'05"E. Alt. 2,025 m. Seven bubbling springs with discharges of 8.6 to 34.5 m3/day are located over a distance of 100 m, issuing from Lower Triassic 230

carbonates. The discharge of the captured spout is 34.5 m3/day (89). The content of SiO2 is 65 mg/l, that of F=0.4 mg/l, and traces of Br are recorded. M 0.8-1.5 HCO3 79 Cl 15 Ca 51 Mg28 t 47 D 129 163/500-III Lwar Garmab, Oruzgan Province, 3254'15"N, 6630'35"E. Alt. 2,020 m. A group of springs with discharges from 25.9 to 129.6 m3/day and. travertine deposits are observed over a distance of 150 m in the faulted contact zone between limestone and shale of Middle-Late Jurassic age (59). Traces of Br are present, while the F content is 1.4 mg/l. CO2 0.8 H2SiO3 0.12 M 0.7 HCO3 48 SO4 48 Ca 59 Mg 22 t 38-39 D 229 194/500-III Barrarak, Zabul Province, 3244'00"N, 6706'15"E. Alt. 2,550 m. The spring issues from a fractured zone in Proterozoic terrigenous-schistose rocks (89). CO2 M 0.6 HCO3 78 Na 38 Ca 54 78 t 10 D216 18/600-III Garmak, Kandahar Province, 3145'00"N, 6505'00"E. Alt. 1,010 m. Intermittently bubbling springs in suffosion dimples up to 25 m in disaster issue from Eocene-Oligocene lava-breccia (89). CO2 0.5 H2SiO3 0.04 M 0.5 HCO3 74 Ca 37 Mg34 t 31 D 345.6 3/600-III Namaki, Helmand Province 2953'10"N, 6405'50"E. Alt. 1,110 m. Two outflows of slightly bubbling water are confined to a fault zone in Neogene sandstone (89). CO2 M 59.3-66.3 Cl 97 Na 94 t 14 : D 17. 3 4/600-IV Namaki-Shur-Dek, Helmand Province, 2952'20"N, 6404'05"E. Alt. 1,170 m. A spring issues from a travertine ridge, 250 m long and 40 m high, trending along s fault zone in Neogene sandstone (89). CO2 1.1 M 30.7-32.1 Cl 93-95 Na 92-94 t 24-37.5 D 3.1 6/600-IV Torushbad-Chah, Helmand Province, 2947'50"N, 6351'55"E. Alt. 1,190 m. The water seeps from fractures in Lower Quaternary volcanics. The total discharge is 2 m3/day, water temperature is 12C, the bicarbonate ion content is 850 mg/l (89). 10/600-IV Sangi-Shur-Dak, Helmand Province, 2944'00"N, 6335'55"E. Alt. 1,220m.The springs issue from slightly fractured sandstone and volcanics of Eocene-Oligocene age (89). M 55.2 Cl 77 Na 95 SO4 22 t 11 D 60.5 18/600-IV Ribat, Helmand Province, 2934'30"N, 6334'20"E. Alt. 1,360m.The water seeps from a fault zone in Eocene-Oligocene sandstone. The total discharge is 864 m3/day, water temperature is -13C, the dissolved-solids content is 2.8 g/l; the water is of the bicarbonate-chloride sodium type; the bicarbonate ion content is 903 mg/l (89).

4. Siliceous Waters
Reservoirs 54/400-II Chasbma-i-Abi, Herat Province, 3426'05"N, 6306'30"E. Alt. 1,750m. The spring issues from fractures in Late Triassic granitic rocks. A health resort has been built at the site (89). The content of SiO2 is 26 mg/l that of Br = 0.5 mg/l, of F=1.4 mg/l, of I = 0.5 mg/l. CO2 + N2 ? M 0.3 SO4 HCO3 30 Na 84 Ca 14 t 43-44 D 173 3/400-III Ab-i-Garm, Herat Province, 3359' N, 6230'20"E. Alt. 2,100m. The mineral water flows out of fractures in Oligocene granite intruding Lower Cretaceous rocks (89). The content of SiO2 is 52 mg/l,of Br0.mg/l, of 1.4 mg/l, and traces of I are detected. CO2 + N2 ? M 0.8 HCO3 SO4 23 Cl 57 Na 90 t 42 D 173

231

229/500-III Garm-ab-i-Tirin Oruzgan Province, 3232'30"N, 6600'10"E. Alt. 1,580 m. The mineral water springs issue from the contact zone between limestone and siltstone of Late Jurassic - Early Cretaceous age (89). The F content is 1.8 mg/l. H2SiO3 0.04 M 1.1 HCO3 44 SO4 44 Na 42 Ca 54 t 33 D 864 Springs 5/500-III Sare Kozya, Ghazni Province, 3359'55"N, 6800'05"E. Alt. 3,000m.The spring issues from quartz sandstone and limestone of Carboniferous - Early Permian age (89). The content of Br is 2 mg/l, of F= 0.2 mg/l. H2SiO3 0.06 M 105 HCO3 63 Cl 21 Na 85 t 12 D 21.6

Fresh Water in Desert Regions Springs 38/200-IV Yangi-Qala, Takhar Province, 3728'00"N, 6937'30"E. Alt. 480 m. The water spring flows out of Recent gravel-shingle deposits (81). M 0.6 HCO3 62 Cl 17 Na 35 Ca 56 D25.9 76/200-IV Kharog, Takhar Province, 370645"N, 6920'00"E. Alt. 490m. The spring issues from Quaternary gravel-shingle deposits (81). M 0.24 HCO3 80 Cl 12 Na 17 Ca 79 D 43.2 82/200-IV Lala Maydan, Takhar Province, 3703'30"N,6930' E. Alt. 500 m. The spring issues from Neogene conglomerate (81). M 0.5-0.8 HCO3 60 SO4 28 Na 23 Ca 57 Mg 19 D1157.7 86/200-IV Gharaghuzi, Takhar Province, 3655'30"N, 6918'29"E. Alt. 1,100 m. The water spring is confined to a fractured zone in Miocene sandstone (81). M 0.38 HCO3 90 Na 48 Ca 44 D 596.1 9/200-IV Ziarat-i-Majnon Bed, Badghis Province, 3533'10"N, 6318'30"E. Alt. 1,040 m. The water spring is restricted to Cretaceous limestone (89). M 0.55 HCO3 45 SO4 37 Na 27 Ca 46 Mg 27 t 19 D 216 25/200-IV Tole Golomon, Ghor Province, 34'52'24"N, 6517'48"E. Alt. 2,000 m. The water spring is discharged from Upper Cretaceous-Paleocene sandstone (89). M 0. 6 HCO3 56 SO4 32 Ca 66 Mg 23 t 12.5 D 345.6 52/200-IV Garm-ab-i-Sufla, Ghor Province, 3427'10"N, 6556'40"E. Alt. 2,750 m. The spring issues from a fractured zone in Neogene conglomerate (89). M 0.6 HCO3 82 SO4 Cl Na 30 Ca 39 Mg 31 t 11 D 43.2 57/200-IV Shedgali, Ghor Province, 3422'49"N, 6500'40"E. Alt. 2,600 m. The water flows out of a fractured zone in Lower Carboniferous shale (89). M 0.5 HCO3 74 SO4 Na 22 Ca 47 Mg 30 t 13 D 129.6 83/400-II Garmawak, Ghor Province, 3411'15"N, 6459'25"E. Alt. 2,775 m. The spring is confined to Middle Quaternary conglomerate (89). M 0.32 HCO3 70 Ca 72 Mg 26 t 17.5 D 3456 232

28/400-IV Puza-i-Rod, Farah Province, 3335'10"N, 6300'29"E. Alt. 2,150 m. The spring issues from Quaternary gravel-shingle deposits (89). M 0.4 HCO3 64 Cl 28 Na 23 Ca 57 Mg 19 t 12 D 25.9 60/400-IV Espand, Farah Province, 3246'00"N, 6344'20"E. Alt.1,800 m. The spring flows out of fractures in the contact zone between marl and claystone of Cretaceous age (89). M 0.3 HCO3 71 SO4 20 Cl Na 22 Ca 44 Mg 30 t 18 D 86.4 66/400-IV Gulestan Rod, Farah Province, 3237'30"N, 6340'00"E. Alt.1,400 m. The spring issues from boulder-shingle deposits of Quaternary age (89). M 0.5 HCO3 49 Cl 24 Na 50 Ca 26 t 21.5 D 302.4 74/400-IV Chashma-i-Shur-Abak, Farah Province, 3222'25"N, 6327'00"E. Alt. 1,000 m. The sprint issues from coarse gravel of Quaternary age (39). M 0. 6 HCO3 52 SO4 31 Na 30 Ca 34 Mg 35 t 22.5 D388.8 77/400-IV Garma Janubi, Helmand Province, 3205'36"N, 6440'44"E. Alt. 980 m. The spring is confined to scree-shingle deposits of Middle Quaternary age. (89). M 0.5 HCO3 54 Cl 22 Na 31 Ca 39 Mg 29 t18 D 172.8 15/600-IV Qochinal., Helmand Province, 2940'50"N, 6356'00"E. Alt. 1,330 m. The spring is restricted to sand-shingle deposits of Quaternary age (14). M 2.9 SO4 29 Cl 54 Na 93 t 20 D 842 Dug wells 65/400-IV Deh Tut, Farah Province, 3232'40"N, 6313'35"E. Alt. 1,180 m. The well is 4.5 m deep. The water is tapped in scree-sandy loam deposits of Quaternary age (89). M 0.5 HCO3 67 Na 45 Ca 27 Mg 27 t 21 D 388.8 89/400-IV Korize Naw, Farah Province, 3212'29"N, 6347'40"E. Alt. 1,060 m. The ground water is associated coarse gravel and sand loam of Quaternary age (89). M 1.0 HCO3 32 SO4 49 Na 44 Ca 23 Mg 33 t 20 D 172.8 100/400-IV Ziarate Khwaja Agha, Helmand Province, 3220'46"N, 6449'38"E. Alt. 1,050 m. The well is 7.0 m deep. The water is associated with Quaternary coarse gravel (89). M 0.4 HCO3 91 SO4 Ca 46 Mg 42 t 21 D 4320 104/400-IV Shonakay, Helmand Province, 3201'38"N, 6403'21"E. Alt. 930 m. The well taps the water in Quaternary conglomerate (89). M 1.0 HCO3 35 SO4 36 Cl 29 Na 71 Ca 16 t 24 D 345.6 1/600-I Chah Kerta, Nimruz Province, 3157'20" 1, 6157'27"E. Alt. 580 m. The well is 5 m deep, its diameter being 1.5 m. The static water level is at a depth of 3 m. The water is associated with Quaternary coarse gravel and loam (14). M 0.6 HCO3 33 SO4 25 Cl 42 Na 57 Ca 24 t 21 2/600-I Gala Chab, Nimruz Province, 3154' 35"N, 600-1 6248'20" E. Alt. 685 m. The well, 2.0 x 3.0 m in cross section, is 2.20 m deep. The water is associated with loam and limestone. The static water level is at a depth of 1.5 m (95). M 1.05 HCO3 23 SO4 24 Cl 53 Na 45 Ca 34 Mg 20 t 13 233

3/600-I Rabat, Nimruz Province, 3151'30"N, 6256'25"E. Alt. 705 m. The well, 6 x 5 m in cross-section, and 9.5 m deep. The dug well taps loam, limestone; and conglomerate. A well 13 m deep and 100 mm in diameter, has been drilled from the dug well bottom. The static water level is at a depth of 4.5 m, while the dynamic water level is at a depth of 8 m (95). M 1.5 HCO3 46 SO4 24 Cl 30 Na 63 Mg 29 t 28 8/600-I Qala-i-Naw, Nimruz Province, 3129'45"N, 6243'40"E. Alt. 572 m. The well, 1.5 m in diameter and 7.5 m deep, taps loam and gravelstone. The static water level is at a depth of 5.0 m (95). M 0.96 HCO3 45 SO4 24 Cl 28 Na 49 Ca 27 Mg 23 t 15 9/600-I Alihan, Nimruz Province, 3122'40"N, 6226'00"E. Alt. 515 m mater is discharged from Quaternarysandy loam (14). M 1.9 SO4 62 Cl 21 Na 75 Ca 14 t 26 10/600-I Sare Sang, Nimruz Province, 3116'00"N, 6200' 30"E. Alt. 510 m. In the well, 1.2 x 1.2 m in crosssection and 2.5 m deep water is discharged from loam. The static water level is at a depth of 2.2 m (14). M 0.8 HCO3 40 SO4 28 Cl 32 Na 41 Ca 30 Mg 29 t 20 11/600-I Chakhansur, Nimruz Province, 3108'40"N, 6204'15"E. Alt. 470 m. In the well, 0.6 m in diameter and 6 m deep water is discharged from sandy loam. The static water level is at a depth of 5.5 m M 1.1 HCO3 59 SO4 21 Cl 20 Na 59 Ca 18 Mg 23 t 23 M 0.87 HCO3 27 SO4 31 Cl 41 Na 37 Ca 42 Mg 20 t 23.5 D 1269 4/600-I Jelargi Chah, Nimruz Province, 31'051'30"N, 6253'20"E. Alt. 692 m. The well, 5 x 3 m in cross-section, is 10 m deep. It taps loam, limestone, and conglomerate. The static water level is at a depth of 4.0 m (95). M 0.94 HCO3 34 SO4 27 Cl 49 Na 48 Ca 33 Mg 18 5/600-I Loshojoiakh, Nimruz Province, 3139'30"N, 6136'00"E. Alt. 520 m. The well, 1 x 1 m in cross section, and 6.2 m deep taps sandy-shingle deposits of Quaternary age. The static water level is at a depth of 5.7 m (14.). M 0.7 HCO3 51 SO4 29 Cl 20 Na 31 Ca 43 Mg 26 t 23 6/600-I Lokhi, Nimruz Province, 3135'32"N, 6252'10"E. Alt. 627 m. The well, 3 x 3.5 m in cross-section, and 5.80 m deep, taps loam and conglomerate. The static water level is at a depth of 4.0 m (95). M 0.71 HCO3 43 SO4 31 Cl 20 Na 47 Ca 33 Mg 20 t 16.5 7/600-I Pusak, Nimruz Province, 3135'00"N, 6145'40"E. Alt. 500 m. The well, 0.5 m in diameter and 1.5 m deep is located at a lake shore. Sandy loams yield water. The static water level is at a depth of 0.7 m (14). 12/600-I Nadali, Nimruz Province, 3057'40"N, 6151'30"E. Alt. 476 m. In the well, 1.5 x 1.5 m in cross section and 4.7 m deep, water is discharged from loam. The static water level is at a depth of 4.5 m (95). M 0.79 HCO3 60 Cl 39 Na 20 Ca 40 Mg 39 t 9.5 13/600-I Daku, Nimruz Province, 3058'22"N, 6158'00"E. Alt. 451 m. The well, 2.0 x 2.0 m in cross section and 10.7 m deep, is dug in sandy loam. The static water level is at a depth of 10.5 m (95). M 0.62 HCO3 53 Cl 46 Na 31 Ca 29 Mg 39 t 9 14/600-I Alimhan, Nimruz Province, 3053'20"N, 6151'05"E. Alt. 450 m. The well, 2.9 m in diameter and 2.5 m deep, is dug in. sandy loam. The static water level is at a depth of 1.5 m (95). M 1.25 HCO3 31 Cl 66 Na 60 Ca 12 Mg 27 t 9 234

15/600-I Khwabgah, Nimruz Province, 3048'20"N, 6145'45"E. Alt. 462 m. The well, 0.7 m in diameter and 8.0 m deep, is dug in loam. The static water level is at a depth of 7.8 m (95). M 1.42 HCO3 29 Cl 69 Na 91 t 20 16/600-I Hawz, Ninruz Province, 3035'30''N, 6152'00'9E. Alt. 490 m. In the well, 3 m in diameter and 5.7 m deep, water is associated with sandy loam. The static water level is at a depth of 5.5 m (95). M 2.12 HCO3 29 SO4 14 Na 33 Ca 26 Mg 40 t 9 1/600-II Khadir-Agha, Helmand Province, 3159'25"N, 6446'58"E. Alt. 899 m. In the well, 0.85 m in diameter and 2.10 m deep, water is discharged from conglomerate. The static water level is at a depth of 1.9 m (95). M 0.68 HCO3 73 SO4 16 Cl 11 Na 25 Ca 37 Mg 38 t 21 2/600-II Abbozhae Mandeh, Helmand Province, 3158'32"N, 6435'10"E. Alt. 948 m. In the well, 1.2 m in diameter and 18.9 m deep, water is associated with sand and conglomerate. The static water level is at a depth of 17.4 m (95). M 0.65 HCO3 61 SO4 19 Cl 12 Na 64 Ca 23 Mg 13 t 19 3/600-II Awkhona, Helmand Province, 3156'55"N, 6457'50"E. Alt. 1,050 m. The well, 3.35 m in diameter and 6.5 m deep, taps coarse gravel, where the static water level is at a depth of 3.4 m (95). M 0.32 HCO3 65 SO4 16 Cl 15 Na 34 Ca 32 Mg 33 t 18 10/600-II Ziarat Mirdaod Agha, Helmand Province, 3151'20"N, 6422'09"E. Alt. 875m.The well, 0.05 m in diameter, has been drilled into conglomerate to 25 m of depth. The static water level is at a depth of 23 m (95). M 0.48 HCO3 39 SO4 44 Na 51 Ca 48 t 12 12/600-II Awyagasi Cahan, Helmand Province, 3149'20"N, 6347'00"E. Alt. 858 m. The well, 10 m in diameter and 68 m deep, penetrates conglomerate and sandstone. The static water level is at a depth of 62.5 m (95). M 0.57 HCO3 33 SO4 42 Cl 25 Na 40 Ca 21 Mg 39 t 24 13/600-II Temur Ghah, Helmand Province, 3149'35"N, 6410'12"E. Alt. 885 m. The well penetrates sandy loam to a depth of 2.8 m. The static water level is at a depth of 2.4 m (95). M 2.04 HCO3 10 SO4 71 Cl 19 Na 72 Ca 15 Mg 13 14/600-II Girishk, Helmand Province, 3149'12"N, 6433'15"E. Alt. 840 m. The well, 1.45 m in diameter, was dug into conglomerate to a depth of 9.8 m. The static water level is at a depth of 9.0 m (95). 17/600-II Garm-Abak, Helmand Province, 3146'05"N, 6452'30"E. Alt. 1,000 m. A karize yielding 35 m3/day penetrates sandy load with pebbles (95). M 1.03 HCO3 37 SO4 25 Cl 36 Na 59 Ca 20 Mg 20 t 13 20/600-II De Ahad Shami Helmand Province, 3143'50"N, 6353'30"E. Alt. 830 m. The well, 1.5 m is diameter, was dug into sandstone with interbedded conglomerate to a depth of 35.5 m. The static water level is at a depth of 34.8. m (95). M 0.88 HCO3 29 SO4 30 Cl 41 Na 62 Ca 21 Mg 17 t 21 21/600-II Sarak Chah, Helmand Province, 3143'45"N, 6408'10"E. Alt. 846 m the well, 1.25 x 1.25 m in cross-section, penetrates conglomerate to a depth of 6.24 m. The static water level is at a depth of 4.5 m (95). M 1.16 HCO3 25 SO4 21 Cl 52 Na 72 Ca 20 t 15

235

23/600-II Kaze Chah, Helmand Province, 3141'30"N, 6339'29"E, Alt. 820 m. The well, 1.0 m. In diameter, penetrates sandstone and conglomerate to a depth of 42.5 m. The static water level is at a depth of 39.4 m (95). M 1.53 HCO3 27 SO4 17 Cl 56 Na 67 Mg 24 t 24 29/600-II Hasen-Chardi Chah, Helmand Province, 3135'20"N, 6353'19"E. Alt. 810 m. The well, 1.20 m in diameter, penetrates conglomerate to a depth of 41.5 m. The static water level is at a depth of 41 m (95). M 1.56 HCO3 35 SO4 16 Cl 49 Na 65 Ca 18 Mg 17 t 21 30/600-II Khalifa-Khwaja, Helmand Province, 3133'35"N, 6332'05"E. Alt. 783 m. The well, 1.5 m in diameter, penetrates coarse gravel and sandstone to a depth of 26 m. The static water level is at a depth of 24.5 m (95). M 1.41 HCO3 36 SO4 20 Cl 44 Na 57 Ca 24 Mg 22 t 24 31/600-II Pay Kurke Chah, Helmand Province, 3130'30"N, 6330'55"E. Alt. 780 m. The well, 1.2 m in diameter, was dug into loam and sandstone to a depth of 10 m. The static water level is at a depth of 8.0 m (95). M 0.79 HCO3 47 SO4 28 Cl 24 Na 71 Ca 15 Mg 13 t 17 32/600-II Margha, Helmand Province, 3129'55"N, 6406'50"E. Alt. 780 m. A well, 8" in diameter, bas been drilled into Neogene loam and conglomerate to a depth of 70 m (95). M 0.9 HCO3 22 SO4 37 Cl 39 Na 77 Ca 11 Mg 12 t 21 34/600-II Turshak Chah, Helmand Province, 3121'30"N, 6339'05"E. Alt. 780 m. The well, 1.1 m in diameter, penetrates conglomerate to a depth of 37.5 m. The static water level is at a depth of 36.5 m (95). M 3.02 Cl 81 Na 57 Ca 18 Mg 25 t 22 35/600-II Aschar-Chah, Helmand Province, 3119'15"N, 6336'20"E. Alt. 790 m. The well, 1.1 m in diameter, penetrates conglomerate to a depth of 41.10 m. The static water level is at a depth of 38.6 m (95). M 1.61 HCO3 11 SO4 15 Cl 65 Na 57 Ca 18 Mg 24 t 22 37/600-II Gariban Chah, Helmand Province, 3117'30"N, 6338'50"E. Alt. 802 m. The well, 1.5 m in diameter, penetrates conglomerate and coarse gravel to a depth of 41.3 m. The static water level is at a depth of 40 m (95). M 1.35 HCO3 15 SO4 18 Cl 65 Na 68 Ca 16 Mg 16 t 22 38/600-II Seway Chah , Helmand Province, 3115'10"N, 6335'20"E. Alt. 820 m. The well 1.5 m in diameter, penetrates conglomerate to a depth of 37 m. The static water level is at a depth of 36.5 m (95). M 1.48 HCO3 17 SO4 18 Cl 64 Na 61 Ca 19 Mg 20 t 21 39/600-II Roducha Chah, Helmand Province, 3108'00"N, 6352'45"E. Alt. 760 m. The well, 1.1 m in diameter, was dug into conglomerate to a depth of 50.2 m. The static water level is at a depth of 49.0 m (95). M 3.33 Cl 82 Na 64 Ca 16 Mg 20 t 24 40/600-II Hazarjaft, Helmand Province, 3107'35"N, 6411'30"E. Alt. 730 m. The well, 1.0 x 0.08 m in crosssection, was dug into coarse gravel to a depth of 2.8 m. The static water level is at a depth of 2.3 m (95). M 0.88 HCO3 47 SO4 28 Cl 19 Na 39 Ca 29 Mg 32 t 18 41/600-II Nabi Chah, Helmand Province, 3104'30"N, 6344'00' E. Alt. 775 m. The well, 1.25 m in diameter, was dug into conglomerate to a depth of 66.0 m. The static water level is at a depth of 64.0 m (95). M 1.84 HCO3 11 SO4 13 Cl 74 Na 82 Mg 10 t 24

236

42/600-II Chah Mad, Helmand Province, 3104'35"N, 6357'00"E. Alt. 742 m. The well, 2.3 m in diameter, was dug into conglomerate to a depth of 30.9 m. The static water level is at a depth of 30.7 m (95). M 3.38 HCO3 14 Cl 78 Na 84 t 22 43/600-II Loy Wyale Kalay, Helmand Province, 3037'00"N, 60 6401'50"E. Alt. 665 m. The well, 1.5 x 1.9 m in cross-section, was dug into loam to a depth of 3.4 m. The static water level is at a depth of 2.3 m (95). M 0.78 HCO3 37 SO4 28 Cl 28 Na 50 Ca 38 Mg 19 t 18 44/600-II Khayrabat Mohammad, Helmand Province, 3035'30"N, 6334'40"E. Alt. 630 m. The well, 1x1.2 m in cross-section, was dug into sandy loam to a depth of 20 m. The static water level is at a depth of 2.5 m (95). M 1.6 HCO3 34 SO4 25 Cl 33 Na 46 Ca 16 Mg 34 t 15 Khayrabat Abdullohan, Helmand Province, 3035'55"N, 6334'45"E. Alt. 635 m. The well, 1.2 x 1.2 m. In cross section was dug into sandy loam and coarse gravel to a depth of 3.2 m. The static water level is at a depth of 2.5 m (95). M 1.17 HCO3 56 SO4 25 Cl 14 Na 85 Mg 11 t 15 Shna-Qala, Helmand Province, 3033'30"N, 6333'00"E. Alt. 620 m. The well, 1 m in diameter, was dug into sandy loam. The static water level is at a depth of 3.5 m (95). M 1.14 HCO3 37 Cl 59 Na 63 Ca 21 Mg 16 t 16 47/600-II Dewalak, Helmand Province, 3033'20"N, 6356'25"E. Alt. 610 m. The well, 0.8 m in diameter, was dug into sandy loam to a depth of 3.5 m. The static water level is at a depth of 3.2 m (95). M 1.1 HCO3 58 SO4 24 Cl 17 Na 30 Ca 38 Mg 32 t 17 48/600-II Pay-Bonader, Helmand Province, 3032'55-N, 6358'30-E. Alt. 650 m. The well, 1.25 x 1.75 m in cross-section, was dug into sandy loam to a depth of 5 m. The static water level is at a depth of 4.3 m (95). M 1.39 HCO3 52 SO4 16 Cl 23 Na 67 Mg 26 t 19 49/600-II Mirza Mohammadkhan, Helmand Province, 3031'15"N, 6353'35"E. Alt. 648 m. The well, 0.5 x 0.8 m in cross section, was dug into clay and conglomerate to a depth of 3.4 m. The static water level is at a depth of 3.3 m (95). M 1.21 HCO3 47 SO4 21 Cl 23 Na 46 Ca 20 Mg 34 t 21 50/600-II Nek Mohammad Khan, Helmand Province, 3031'00"N, 6347'45"E. Alt. 646 m. The well, 1.0 m in diameter, was dug into loam. The static water level is at a depth of 3.0 m (95). M 1.84 HCO3 36 SO4 14 Cl 47 Na 46 Ca 25 Mg 28 t 18 53/600-II Paychel, Helmand Province, 3027'25"N, 6318'00"E. Alt. 620 m. The well, 1.20 m in diameter, was dug into sandy loan and coarse gravel to a depth of 4.4 m. The static water level is at a depth of 3.8 m (95). M 1.15 HCO3 46 SO4 20 Cl 33 Na 44 Ca 25 Mg 30 t 16 59/600-II Khwaja Ali Sehyaka, Helmand Province 3017'00"N, 6310'10"E. Alt. 625 m. The well, 0.8 x 1.5 m in cross-section, was dug into clayey loam to a depth of 2.70 m. The static water level is at a depth of 2.5 m (95) M 1.22 HCO3 27 SO4 22 Cl 50 Na 58 Ca 21 Mg 20 t 14 60/600-II Boman Chah, Kandahar Province, 3012'25"N, 6455'00"E. Alt. 959 m. The well, 1 x 1 m in crosssection, was dug into conglomerate to a depth of 44 m. The static water level is at a depth of 32 m (95). M 3.1 SO4 12 Cl 81 Na 73 Ca 25 t 23

237

61/600-II Abdulnabi Chah, Kendahar Province, 3012'07"N, 6457''55"E. Alt. 962 m. The well, 1 x 1 m in crosssection, was dug into conglomerate to a depth of 38.4 m. The static water level is at a depth of 34.0 m (95). M 2.25 SO4 10 Cl 84 Na 75 Ca 22 t 23 62/600-II Bagat, Helmand Province, 3004'00"N, 6420'45"E. Alt. 950 m. The well, 1.5 m in diameter, was dug into conglomerate to a depth of 68.0 m. The water emerges in the well in spring time (95). 12/600-IV Mayj Chah, Helmand Province,. 2942'30"N, 6332'20"E. Alt. 1,270 m. The well, 0.7 m in diameter, was dug into sandstone to a depth of 2.8 m. The static water level is at a depth of 1.7 m (14). M 2.28 SO4 19 Cl 63 Na 79 Mg 11 t 17 13/600-IV Shah Esmail, Helmand Province, 2942'50"N, 6423'50"E. Alt. 1,120 m. The well, 0.7 x 0.6 m in cross-section, was dug into conglomerate to a depth of 2.6 m. The static water level is at a depth of 1.1 m (14). M 2.3 HCO3 33 SO4 31 Cl 36 Na 76 Ca 14 t 14 D 276 16/600-IV Bibi, Helmand Province, 2940'00"N, 6427'00"E. Alt. 1,175 m. The karize, 170 m long with wells as deep as 4.2 m, has been dug into loam with pebbles (14). M 1.7 HCO3 33 SO4 31 Cl 36 Na 76 Ca 14 t 16 D 276 17/600-IV Kuchinal Karez, Helmand Province, 2937'20"N,6357'45"E. Alt. 1,370 m. The karize, 28 m long with four wells as deep as 3.9 m, has been dug into sandstone and conglomerate (14). M 0.9 HCO3 35 SO4 27 Cl 38 Na 78 Ca 14 t 11.5 D 2.1 22/600-IV Rege Nano, Helmand Province, 2932'50"N, 6354'42"E. Alt. 1,425 m. The well, 3.65 m deep, was dug into coarse gravel. The static water level is at a depth of 3.4 m (14). M 2.2 SO4 36 Cl 46 Na 87 t 18 23/600-IV Mushdan, Helmand Province, 2930'10"N, 6402'10"E. Alt. 1,475 m. The well, 1.2 m in diameter, was dug into conglomerate and fractured volcanics to a depth of 8.6 m. The static water level is at a depth of 6.0 m (14). M 2.2 HCO3 27 SO4 38 Cl 35 Na 90 t 19 D 22 24/600-IV Loy Dor Mandeh, Helmand Province, 2928'00"N, 6352' 35"E. Alt. 1,490 m. The well, 1.0 x 1.2 m in cross-section, was dug into conglomerate to a depth of 2.0 m. The static water level is at a depth of 1.7 m (14). M 2.6 HCO3 26 Cl 56 Na 83 t 18 21/700-I Sharghelay, Kandahar Province, 3105'20"N, 6636'10"E. Alt. 1,425 m. The well, 1x1.5 m in crosssection, was dug into loam to a depth of 15.4 m. The static water level is at a depth of 14.40 m (95). M 0.51 HCO3 69 SO4 18 Cl 12 Na 15 Ca 47 Mg 37 t 24 25/700-I Shinkay, Kandahar Province, 3052'34"N, 6619'25"E. Alt. 1,205 m. The well, 1.3 x 2.0 m in crosssection, was dug into loam to a depth of 29.9 m. The static water level is at a depth of 29.1 m (95). M 1.1 HCO3 25 SO4 21 Cl 53 Na 62 Ca 13 Mg 24 t 22 26/700-I Haji Mirza Kalay, Kandahar Province, 3050'30"N,6615'60"E. Alt. 1,242 m. The well, 1 m in diameter, was dug into loam to a depth of 50.3 m. The static water level is at a depth of 49.5 m (95). M 0.61 HCO3 66 SO4 16 Cl 17 Na 14 Ca 45 Mg 40 t 24 27/700-I Darukhan Kalay, Kandahar Province, 3043'00"N, 669'15"E. Alt. 1,143 m. The well, 1.0 m in diameter, was dug into loam to a depth of 60 m. The static water level is at a depth of 56.6 m (95). M 0.43 HCO3 72 SO4 19 Na 17 Ca 47 Mg 36 t 25 238

Table 1

Types of mercury occurrences.

Mineral assemblage Ore 2 Cinnabar Metacinabarite Pyrite Hematite Chalcopyrite 3 Linear (sheetlike), crush zones, cross fractures Gangue Structure and morphology 4 Linear (sheetlike), crush zones, cross fractures Country rocks 5 Small-pebble conglomerates, inequi-granula sandstone Geological section, faults and folds 6 Paleogene monoclinal read beds (conglomerates, sandstones, siltstones) edged by longitudinal fault into Lower Cretaceous volcanogenoussedimentary strata Ore-bearing limestone bed at the top of Lower Cretatceous flysch formation under massive limestones at a low-angel syncline limb Lower Cretaceous siltstone Dickitization, strata interbedded with silicification, sandstones, limestones and calcitization marbles occurring under massive limestones in an anticline core. Folded, steep isoclinal folds cut by parallel and cross faults Hydrothermal alternation 7 Recrystallization, bleaching, silicification, dickitization Location 8 Darwaza, DarwazaI Solgkhoi, Solykoi II

Mineral type 1 Quartz-dokitecinnabar

Pockets

Marmorised limestone

Panjshakh

Dickite-cinnabar

Cinnabar Pyrite Chalcopyrite Sphalerite Metacinnabarite Arsenopyrite Antimonite Realgar

Dickite Calcite Quartz Ankerite Barite Siderite

Steep-dip Fractures

Siltstones, sandstones, limestones, diorite porphyry dykes

Kalat I, II, II, IV: Sahbdat, Mollayan

Cinnabar Chalcopyrite Sphalerite Galena

Concordant and cross crush zones, contacts of concordant and cross dykes Dickite Calcite Sinderite Ankerite Small crush zones

Paleogene terrigenous-volcanic strata (red siltstones and sandstones interbedded with conglomerates and basic volcanics altered to red beds) wedged between Lower Cretaceous carbonte and errignous strata; slightly dislocated by longitudinal cross high-angle faults Small-pebble conglomerates, sandstones Slightly dislocated Dickitization Palaeogne siltstones, sandstones and conglomerates wedged along the contact between Ptroterozoic metamorphic rocks and Lower Cretaceous volcanogenous sedimentary strata

Chashnak, Zarmardan

Dickite-cinnabar

Cinnabar Pyrite Hematite

Gardesh

239

Cinnabar Pyrite Cinnabar Chalcocite Chalcopyrite Bornite Malachite Carbonate (calcite)-cinnabar Cinnabar Pyrite Hematite Realgar

Calcite Sinderite Ankerite

Cross steep fractures Bedded rocks

Red sandstones

Pyritization

Surkhjoi

Sandstones, grits

Ore-bearing rocks occur beneath basic volcanics, and are underlain by Upper Eocene alternating clays, sandstones and conglomerates Lower Cretaceous essentially siltstone strata in an anticline core under massive limestones, broken by longitudinal and cross faults Limestone interbeds and lenses in essentially siltstone strata Calcitization

Nayak

Calcite Ankerite Siderite

Cross fractures, mineralised crush zones

Siltstones

Pasaband

Limestone

Recrystallization, calcization Silicification carbonatization

Gardesh Awlamqul

Llistwanitecinnabar

Cinnabar

Calcite Quartz Ankerite Siderite

Cross steep fractures and crush zones

Lower Cretaceous volcanogenous-carbonateterrigenous sediments cut by ultrabasic intrusions

Occurrences possible in Tarnak zone and Darwaze substone

240

Table 2

Metallogenetic Epoch of Afghanistan.

Endogenetic mineralization Intrusive formations

Metallogenetic Stages

Hg Zi-Rb-Ca

Metallogenic Epoch

Phlogo-Rite

Musco-Vite

Magne-site

Lazu-Rite

Asbestos

Pre-Baikalian Baikalian Early Carbonicerous and Permian Hercynian Late-Triassic

Ultrabasics, Migmatite Granite + Ultrabasics Gabbroplagiogranite Subvolcanic andesite-rhyolite; subvolcanic and granite batholiths J3-Cr1 Subvolcanic Diabase-andesite Cr1 Ultrabasics Gabbroplagiogranite Gabbromonzonitediorite CretaceousPaleogene Cr2-Fg1 Gabbromonsonitesyanite Pg2 Diabasediortie subvolcanic Ultraabasics + + = + = +

= -

= -

Alpine

241

Au Cu

Nb-Ta

Pb-Zn

CaP2

Talc

Mn

Mo

CR

CU

TR

FE

Au

A1

Be

Sn

Fe

Sr

Subvolcanics andesite Pg2-3 ryolite gabbro-diorite Pg3 Subvolcanic granites Granite batholith NeogeneQuaternary Mg1 Minor intrsions Q1 Subvolcanic andesite-rhyolite and alkaline basalt, carbonatite = + + + + + + +

+ deposits of commercial value mineral occurrences and deposits of indistinct commercial value = associated mineralization.

242

Table 3

Metallogenetic Zones and Nore Districts of Afghanistan.

Typical mineralization Lazurite, Li, Ta, Sn, Cu, Cr, Fe asbestos Talc, magnesite, ruby Cu, Au, Pb, Zn Nesay Chilkonshar Doshi 1 2 4 Cu Au (Cu, Pb, Zn) Cu Pb, Zn (F, Au) Muscovite Ore districts Sare Sang Middle Kabul Logar No. in Annex 1 7 16 17 Typical mineralization Lazurite, Mo, Be, phlogopite Cu, Fe Cr, asbestos, talc

Metallogenetic zones Southern-Badakhahan Kabul Spin Ghar Surkhab-Jaway

Western-Badakhshan Konar Katasaz Asparan Khost-Matun Central-Badakhshan Wakhan

Sn, Li, Ta, Nb, Be Fe, Cu Pb, Zn, Hg Pb, Zn, Hg Cr asbestos Fe, Cu, W, Au Sn, Fe, Cu

Bazarak

Tishaldarakh Furmoragh Eshkaahem Kamdesh

5 6 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 20 21 22 23 24 25 18 19 26 27 28 29 30 31 37 32 33 34 35 36

W, Au, Cu Fe, Au Li, Ta, Sn Li, Ta (kunzite, tourmaline, garnet), Emerald, Be Muscovite Li, Ta, Sn Muscovite, Be Be, Li, Cs, Ta, Sn (kunzite, Moscovite W, Bi, Mo (Be, muscovite) W, Sn, Bi (Cu, Pb, Zn, Fe) Au, Sn (Cu, Pb, Zn) Cu, Au (Pb, Zn, Mo) F (Ag, Fb, Zn) Sn, Pb, Zn, Fe (Cu, W, Cd) Sn, W (Cu, Pb, Fe) Li, Ta, W, Sn (Cu, Pb, Au) Cu, Pb, Zn (Sn, Hg, Au) Sn, Cu (Pb, Zn, Au, W, Mo) W, Cu (Sn, Pb, Zn, Ba) U, TR-P (Ba, Sr, F, Fe) Cu, Au (Mo, Fe, Zn) Cu, Zn Hg (Cu, W) Ba, Fb, Zn, Cu (Hg, Au) Fb, Zn (Cu, Ba, Fe) Fe Ba, Pb, Zn (Mn, Hg, Au) Fe (Pb, Zn, Ag)

Cs, Sn, W Nurestan Li, Be, Ta, Nb Muscovite, precious stones

Rawat Dewaz Marid Pachagan Laghman Sarobay Wardak Oruzgan

Argandab-Tirin

Sn, W, F, Gu, Pb, Sn, Au, Fe

Mukur Kundalan Bakhud Chenar

Helmand Shindand-Kishmaran

Li, Ta, W, Sn Cu, Pb Sn, W, Cu, Pb, Zn

Behsud Shekhristan Nazarkhan Shindad Farah

Regestan Murghab Bande Amir Farah Rod Tarnak Hari RodPanjsher

U, T?, P, Cu, Sn Cu, Au, Fe, Mo Cu, Zn, Hg, Sr Hg Hg, Cr Fe, Pb, Zn, Be Au, Hg

Khanneshin Okhankoshan Balkhod Pasaband Safed Koh Syah Koh Hajigak Parenjal Janjsher

Note: Accompanying elements are given in parentheses

243

Table 4

Relationship between Endogenic Mineralization Intrusives.

Relationship with intrusions Genetic association with volcanics and vent facies Major regions

Structures

Nurestan-Pamir Mediam Mass

Arch-block uplifts

Pematites with rare metals, tin gemstones

Pg3 Granite massifs of the Laghman Complex III-d phase

Hydrothermalmetasomatic (emerald) Metasomatic (lapis lazuli)

Pg3 Minor granite intrusions of the Lagman Complex

Genetic

Intrusive formation

SuperImposed basins

Hydrothermal (tin, tungsten, iron)

Cr-Pg Granitoid intrusions

Heland-Arghandab archblock uplift

Skarn and hydrothermal (tin, Tungsten, copper, gold, lead, zinc, iron, molybdenum) Pegmatites with rate metals and tin Telethermal (fluorite, lead, zine) Copper-pyrite

Pg3 Granite Batholiths Cr2-Pg1 Gabrro-non-zoniteayenite Fg3 Granite batholiths of the Helmand Complex J3-Cr1 Subvolcanic diabaseandesite Pg3 Subvolcanic granites Pg2 Subvolcanic andesiteliparite Cr1 Ultrabasic rocks +

South Afghanistan Median Mass

Superimposed troughs and basins

Skarn and hydrothermal (tin, tungsten, copper, lead, zinc, iron) Chromite, talc, serpentine ore deposits Hydrothermal (uraninium, aragonite) Cabonatite (thorium) rare earths, apatite, strontium, barium, fluorite, niobium)

Q1 Subvolcanic, andesiteliparite and carbonatite

244

Uncertain

Genetic types and ore formations

Paragenetic

Table 4

Continued.
Copper pyrite and hydrothermal (gold, base metals) Hydrothermal and skarn (copper, base betals, gold) Pegmatites with rare metals, tin, tungsten Copper pyrite Folded Basement Hydrothermal and skarn (copper, lead, zinc, gold) Telethermal (barite, celestite, mercury, gold, lead zinc) Metamorphogenic (hematite-magnetite and sideritehematite ores) Hydrothermal (copper, lead, zinc) Skarn (iron) Telethermal (lead, zinc, barite, mercury, manganese) Copper pyrite Pt Volcanoplutonic complex + Cr1 Granitic rocks Pg3 Granitic rock batholiths + + + C1 F Gabbroplagio-granite and ultra-basic rocks T3 Subvolcanic granites T3 Granite Batholiths C1 Gabbroplagiogranite T3 Subvolcanic granites Granite batholiths + +

Regions of Hercynian Folding

North Afghanistan Platform

Folding

Afghanistan-South Pamir Region

Sedimentary Cover

Metamorphogenic (bornite-chalcopyrite ore) Pegmatites with muscovite Magmatic and hydrothermal (chromite, asbestos, talc) Hydrothermal and skarn (tin, tungsten, copper) Telethermal (lead, zinc, mercury, gold) Pt Granitic rocks Pg2 Ultrabasic rocks + +

Regions of Alpine

Pg3 Granitic rocks

245

Table 4

Continued.
Copper pyrite and hydrothermal (gold, base metals) Hydrothermal and skarn (copper, base betals, gold) Pegmatites with rare metals, tin, tungsten Folded Basement Copper pyrite Hydrothermal and skarn (copper, lead, zinc, gold) C1 F Gabbroplagio-granite and ultrabasic rocks T3 Subvolcanic granites T3 Granite Batholiths C1 Gabbroplagiogranite T3 Subvolcanic granites Granite batholiths + +

Regions of Hercynian Folding

North Afghanistan Platform

Sedimentary Cover

Telethermal (barite, celestite, mercury, gold, lead zinc) Metamorphogenic (hematitemagnetite and siderite-hematite ores) Hydrothermal (copper, lead, zinc) Skarn (iron) Cr1 Granitic rocks Pg3 Granitic rock batholiths + +

Afghanistan-South Pamir Region

Telethermal (lead, zinc, barite, mercury, manganese) Copper pyrite Pt Volcanoplutonic complex +

Folding

Metamorphogenic (bornite-chalcopyrite ore) Pegmatites with muscovite Magmatic and hydrothermal (chromite, asbestos, talc) Hydrothermal and skarn (tin, tungsten, copper) Telethermal (lead, zinc, mercury, gold) Pt Granitic rocks Pg2 Ultrabasic rocks Pg3 Granitic rocks + +

Regions of Alpine

246

Table 5

Types of Tin Ore Formations.

Ore Formation Rare-metal tin-bearing pegmatitesType Albite Spodumene-albite Microcline albitized Petalite-spodumene-albite (Spodumenemicroline-cleavelandite) Lepidolite-spodumene-albite Tin-bearing greisen Quartz (veins, stockworks) Calcareous Magensian with stannoborates Cassiterite-ferriferous-carbonate Cassiterite-tourmaline Cassiterite-chlorite Pyrite

Genetic Group Silicate-quartz

Quartz-cassiterite Silicate-carbonate Tin-bearing skarn

Silicate-sulfide

Cassiterite-silicate Cassiterite-sulfide

247

Table 6
Serial No.

Coal Reserves at the Main Coal Deposits and Occurrence of the North Afghanistan Basin.
Coal Deposits and Occurrences Coal Reserves, million tonnes (categories) B + CI C2 Speculative Total Minimum coal thickness, m Factors Taken for Calculation Maximum ash content%

Sabzak Coal District 1. Total Darrah-i-Suf Coal District 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Total Sayghan-Eshpushta Coal District 1. Total Pule Khumri Coal District 1. 2. Total Narin-Chal-Namakab Coal District 1. Namakab Kishaktan Total TOTAL IN THE BASIN 26.65 39.67 5.00 2.00 7.00 58.50 5.00 2.00 7.00 124.82 Karkar Dudkash 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Eshpushta 2.50 2.50 2.50 2.50 Shabbashak Darwaza Dahane Tor Lela Sare Asya 20.72 1.06 21.78 30.26 4.77 35.03 20.00 10.00 15.00 45.00 50.98 20.00 10.00 15.00 5.83 101.81 0.80 30 Majit-i-Chobi 4.87 4.87 4.64 4.64 9.51 9.51 0.60 45

248

Table 7

Distribution of coal beds by coal accumulation epochs in the Danah-i-Suf district.

Coal Deposits and ccurrences

Serial No.

Number of beds

Thickness, m

Structure

Coal Rank

Total Early Jurassic epoch (Regbolak Formation) 1 2 3 4 5 6 Lela Dakhane Tor Qarasqol Shabbashak Bagbelak Darwaza 2 6 7 15 30 8

Workable

Total

Productive

1 2 5 5 4

0.35-3.17 2.0-3.5 0.68-2.5

0.35-2.25 1.37-1.81 0.68-2.5

Complex Complex Most simple

Gas coal Gas coal Gas coal

0.8-2.98 up to 1.3 1.3-5.2

Up to 0.3 1.0-2.7

Complex Mostly complex

Gas coal Gas to fat coal Gas coal

Aslemian-Bajocian epoch (Shabbashak Formation) 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Lela Shabbashak Darwaza Sare Asya West Garmak East Garmak Kotal-i-Sabzak Awkhorag 20 9 7 14 10 4 7 4 15 5 7 3 9 3 5 3 0.18-3.95 0.10-2.95 0.68-4.75 0.13-12.89 1.05-8.30 0.45-1.55 1.40-2.84 0.40-3.90 0.18-2.8 0.10-2.92 0.68-3.60 0.10-4.56 0.60-3.90 0.45-1.43 1.40-2.80 0.40-3.35 Mostly complex Mostly complex Mostly complex Mostly complex Mostly complex Mostly complex Mostly complex Complex Gas coal Gas coal Gas coal Gas coal Gas coal Gas coal Cannel to gas coal Cannel coal

Bajocian-Bathonian epoch (Bashek Formation) 1 2 3 4 Shabbashak Darwasa Lela Sare Asya 20 5 No indications of coal No workable seams, thin interlayers of coal: interbedded coal and clay 7 5 0.45-3.71 0.50-4.20 0.20-3.15 0.50-2.50 Mostly complex Complex Cannel to gas coal Gas coal

249

Table 8
Serial No.

Quality of coals from Darrah-i-Suf and Sabzak districts.

Deposits and occurrences Technical analysis Microcomponents Coal rank Note

Cal/kg 80578478

% 1.404..50 0.2-

% 64.284.0 41.164.1 58.4-

% 8.418.4 16.3 31.1 14.716.4 2.022.0 13.119.1 1.813.7 6.89.7 3.713.3 8.227.7

% 11.027.5 8.522.07.713.8-

1 2 3 4 5 6

Majit-i -Chobi Lela Dahane Tor Shabbashak Darwaza Sare Asya

1.6-2.1 6.6-16.3 2.16-4.23 1.9-3.6 1.3-20.4 3.64-4.84

5.5-33.6 3.5-30.0 18.2-25.4 3.27-37.7 7.5-43.1 9.5-27.0 7.9016.81 10.7418.58 5.0338.3 9.2117.68 17.5935.4

30.0-39.1 30.0-38.0 30.5637.75 35.4-41.0 32.5-44.0 33.3-41.4 34.043.34 42.5543.86 37.055.0 37.1145.96 40.043.9

80.27 73.8-

4.60 3.6-

6.0-11.1 17.032.7 11.523.4 3.02.0 7.916.4 3.115.5 10.515.8 6.517.1 7.936.4

0-3.5 0.61.71.82.7-

Non-coking Non-coking Coking Five lower workable seams are coking

76208250

0.2-0.7 0.3-

77.864.1 81.577.4881.83

5.175.85 5.54.634.99

71.4 59.093.0 60.777.6 76.592.2 71.682.0 72.087.7 43.977.4

72397921

0.821.22

1.2-2.6 0.47.3 0.05.6 0.02.0 0.02.4

14.031.0 3.49.9 2.410.3 1.016.2

Most coking Non coking

Coal form oxidized zones

7 8 9 10 11

Western Garmak Eastern Garmak Qaramqol Kotal-i-Sabzak Ashorak

3.21-8.75 10.82-11.51 8.1211.68 8.9618.87 11.6314.46

250

Table 9

Coal Seams of the Pule-Khumri Coal District.

Number of seams Thickness m: From - to Structure of coal seams Total Workable Average

Serial No.

Deposits and Occurrences

Age

1 2 3 4 5

Karkar Dodkah Western Dodkash Eastern Sangach Western Sangach

Bathonian Bathonian Early Jurassic Middle Jurassic (Bathonian) Early-Middle Jurassic

1 1 11 1 16

1 1 1 -

0.3-10.0 2.4 0.2-10.0 1.8 0.10-1.15 0-1.66 0.10-1.20

complex complex complex complex complex

Seam of a workable thickness. It is complex in structure and variable in thickness (from tens of centimetres to 6-10 metres). The variations in thickness are due to tectonic factors which were responsible for the lit-par-lit migration of the coal matter, and hence for the pinches and swells. The seam is made up of heavily sheared semi-lustrous, occasionally semi-dull non-coking gas coal. The ash content varies from 9.0 to 28.1% (Table 10). This portion of the Jurassic sequence includes the Karkar and Dodkash coal deposits and Eastern Sangach occurrence. Structurally, these occur in the eastern limb of a large anticline complicated by flexures and faults. The limb normal-

251

Table 10

Quality of Coal from the Pule-Khumri Coal District.

Serial No.

Deposits and Occurrences

Coal Rank

Incomplete technical Analysis

Microcomponents

Note

Cal/kg

Karkar

Gas coal

1.9-5.0

9.0-1.81

40.3-45.0

69727886

74.080.0

9.0-17.0

5.0-12.0

2.0-5.6

7.0-13.0

Dodkash

Gas coal

2.8-4.2

25.2-28.1

43.8-45.8

82.5

7.0

8.4

2.1

15.9

Western Dodkash

Gas coal?

3.8-12.2

30.32-50.0

40.9-60.0

70.071.5

5.5-6.5

20.4-24.5

0.0-1.6

15.0-18.9

Coal from oxid. zones

Eastern Sangach

Gas coal

2.2-5.3

18.84-10.17

37.4-47.0

65.7

12.7

16.4

5.2

7.0

Wester Sangach

Gas coal?

0.44-1.93

28.3-49.1

40.1-45.2

55.20

9.1

34.9

0.8

15.0

252

Table 11
Serial No.

Coal Seams in the Narin-Chal-Namakab Coal District.

Deposits and occurrences Number of seams Age Total Early-Middle Jurassic Seams thicker than 0.6m 2 Thickness, m total Productive Structure

Chal

0.25-1.74 0.25-0.61 0.65-2.80 0.34-0.86 0.16-0.35 0.16-0.35 1.05-1.71 0.69-1.53 0.28-2.05 0.20-2.05 1.25-4.82 1.05-3.90 2.44 2.44 1.0-4.06 1.0-2.3

Commonly complex

Darrah-i-Colon

Syahdara

Commonly simple

Zamburak

Cmmonly complex

Bazarak

Commonly complex

Namakab

Complex

Kishaktan

Complex

Roshaq

Commonly complex

253

Table 12

Quality of Coal from Narin-Chal-Namakab District.

Incomplete technical analysis, % W A 20.037.8 V 20.538.2 Elementary composition, % C H Microcomponents, % Vt 3185 Sv 1140 F L Ml Coking to lean Coal from Oxidiz. zones Coal Rank Note

Ser. No.

Deposits and occurrences

Chal

2.05-7.79

89.62

4.38

3-27

12-34

Darrah-iColon

2.7-7.6

15.938.29

19.036.0

81.682.6

3.233.64

6278

8-10

8-10

lean

Syandars

17.032.0

4556

Coking

Zamburak

1.19-9.14

11.8345.6

14.836.7

72.32

3.46

7583

1016

3-8

11-30

lean

Bazerak

1.11-9.80

14.251.58

24.433.1

6585

1121

4-13

12-29

Coking

Coal from Oxidiz. zones Coal from Oxidiz. zones Coal from Oxidiz. zones Coal from Oxidiz. zones

Namakab

1.33

2.4-19.2 19.5

5277

1228

1020

4.18

Coking

Eishaktan

13.8814.0

13.319.6

17.422.3

6169

1821

1116

11

Coking

Roshaq

2.32-4.70

13.522.8

26.441.7

5280

1429

5-20

8-14

Fat to coking

254

Table 13

Water Yield of Quaternary Aquifers from the North Afghanistan Artesian Basin.
Thickness tapped (m) Depth to Specific well ground water yield (l/s) level (m) 0-59.4 1.2-4.0 Yield (l/s) Dug well Spring Dissolvedsolids (g/l)

Aquifer

Alluvial aquifer composed of recent sediments (gravel, coarse gravel, sand, and sandy loam) Aquifer composed of eolian sediments (sand) Aquifer composed of loess-like sediments (sandy loam and loess-like clayey loam intercalated with sands and coarse gravels) Aquifer composed of alluvium and alluvial-fan deposits (sand, sandy, loam, siltstone and loess)

20-100

0.1-0.7

0.1-8.5

0.3-5.5

2 3

Up to 12

0.5-9.0

0.2-0.3

Up to 3.0

2.4-27.4

0.1-0.4

0.01-6.6

0.8-20.3

Up to 15.0

0.1-0.7

0.5-10

Aquifer composed of Lower Quaternary deposits (travertine limestone, Up to 163 conglomerate, sandstone and sand)

2-49.0

0.02-1.0

0.1-0.9

1.5-12

255

Table 14

Water Yield from deep wells drilled through Cretaceous Deposits underlying the Mazare Sharif Artesian Basin.
Water pressure (kg/cm2) Water temperature (oC) At well Head 9 In Aquifer 10

Drill well number

Absolute Elevation (m)

Structure name

Sampling interval

WaterBearing rocks

Flowing well yield (l/s) At well head In aquifer 8

Dissolved Solids (g/l)

1 Cenomanian 1 291.4

11

Jengalikolon

Flow from 2.320m depth 505-515 902-908 1.054-1.063 840-844 733-737 743-749 833-841 585-594

Sandstone Sandstone Limestone Sandstone Sandstone and limestone Sandstone and limestone Sandstone and limestone Sandstone and limestone Limestone

0.24 0.35 1.7 0.11 0.29 0.046 0.17 0.08 0.04

140 28 59 21 78 5 8

87.4 125.3 139.1 118.0 140 131.9 130.3 129.3 30.4

10

559.3

Yatim Tag KhwajaGogerdak Bayangor

12 32

583.4 887.2

Albian 10 12 32 559.3 583.4 887.2 Yatim Tag KhwajaGogerdak Bayangor 1.127-1.134 1.014-1.019 863-867 Sandstone Marly limestone Sandstone 4.0 0.01 0.03 50 131 132.8 131.5 129.2

256

Table 14
1 Aptian 10

Continued.
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

559.3

Yatim Tag

1.421-1.428 1.420-1.455

Sandstone Sandstone Sandstone Limestone Sandstone Sandstone

1.3 1.0 8.1 1.1 1-53 0.25

50 40 15 11 10

36 36 36

126.2 131.7

16 34

655.5 973.2

Koh-i-Alburs Angot

Flow from 145m depth 902-904 915-923 940-961

131.1 70.6 69.4 17.4

Neocomian 11 528.4 Yalangac 1.966-1.971 1.980-1.984 1.998-2.003 2.032-2.037 1.819-1.823 1.300-1.317 1.394-1.400 34
#

Sandstone Sandstone Sandstone Sandstone Sandstone Sandstone Sandstone Marl Sandstone

0.009 0.1 0.35 20.8 0.8 1.0 0.37 1.53 13.5

24 32 29 51 30 17 26.5 29.5

262 269 277.3 280 248.8 -

35 45 50

86 87 82 -

326.7 359.6 354.7 354.7 129.6 34.6 34.9 11.1 10.1

14 32

535.7 887.2

Khwaja-Gogerdak Bayangor

973.2

Angot

1.075-1.077 1.170-1.473

The table is compiled using Ya. P. Gubas data

257

Table 15

Formational pressure in the super Jurassic and Hauterivian Oil-Bearing strata.

Altitude of middle of sampled interval 2 Formational water density (g/cm3) 3 Hauterivian Strata Formational pressure (atm) 4 Reduced formational pressure (atm) 5

Drill well name and number 1

Sheram 2 Khanakin 1 Angot 9 Aq Darya 1 Shuraba 1 Awdan 2 Arabbay 1 Sawzma-Qala 1 Khamyshly Bayangor 2 Khwaja Bulan 1 Jarquduk 2 Khwaja Gogerdak 5 Yalangach 1 Kuh-i-Alburs 1 Upper Jurassic Strata Khamyshly 1 Khwaja Bulan 2

+374 -36 -165 -492 -387 -422 -1,396 -604 -612 -513 -678 -1,716 -1,281 -1,471 +337

0.995 0.995 0.995 0.995 0.995 0.995 0.995 0.995 1.005 1.010 1.010 1.050 1.055 1.205 1.020

93.1 135.2 145.0 179.4 168.7 173.7 268.9 191.0 188.6 177.1 197.0 229.1 249.7 275.4 63.2

130.3 131.6 128.6 130.4 130.2 131.7 129.9 130.8 127.1 125.6 125.4 120.0 116.8 122.0 96.7

-832 -975

1.005 1.020

210.3 224.0

126.7 125.9

258

Table 16 Pumping test data obtained from Wells drilled through the Neogene Aquifer System within the Aynak depression.
Drill Well number 1 565 565 566 567 568 571 576 578 580 586 Head above aquifer top (m) 2 47.20 47.40 47.20 29.62 18.66 8.70 5.74 23.14 9.68 Depth to piezometric surface (m) 3 5.80 5.80 7.82 8.38 11.34 10.30 11.06 14.64 2.92 6.57 Pumping test results Drawdown (m) 4 21.20 32.0 31.2 21.52 17.16 31.90 20.91 14.17 31.15 22.58 Yield (l/s) 5 0.33 0.40 0.85 0.28 0.83 0.44 0.136 0.096 0.45 0.55 Specific Yield (l/s) 6 0.015 0.012 0.027 0.013 0.048 0.014 0.006 0.007 0.014 0.024 Coefficient Of Permeability (m/day) 7 0.13 0.11 0.13 0.14 0.55 0.35 0.035 0.054 0.051 0.062 Transmissivity (m2/day)

8 1.45 1.16 2.71 1.45 4.92 1.40 0.65 0.67 1.15 3.09

259

Table 17

Water yield of Precambrian crystalline rocks in exploratory adits of the Darband Deposit.
Adit number 1 2 4 5 8 6 9 Opening location East area East area East area East area Central area West area West area Water inflow (l/s) 1.55 0.35 0.20 0.24 0.30 1.50 0.60

Serial number 1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Table 18

Water yield of Precambrian crystalline rocks in exploratory wells of the Aynak Deposit.
Pumping results

Drill well number 570 575 584 590 93

Head (m.)

Depth to water (m.) 36.40 +0.40 +1.24 50.17 +1.23

Draw-down (m.) 32.53 41.50 47.94 12.21 1.23

Yield (l/s)

Specific yield (l/s) 0.01 0.004 0.008 0.34 0.34

Coefficient of permeability (m2/day) 0.032 0.08 0.025 2.41 1.22

Transmissivity (m2/day) 1.06 0.40 0.82 36.93 35.99

26.00 84.40 231.20 180.53 60.23

0.33 0.17 0.37 4.17 0.41

260

Table 19

Water yield of the Quaternary Aquifers in the South Afghanistan Artesian Region.
Yield (l/s) Drill wells Springs Karizes

Aquifer

Thickness Penetrated (m)

Depth to water (m)

Dissolved solids (g/l)

Aquifer composed of Recent conglomerate, gravelstone, coarse gravel, sand, sandy loam, and loam Aquifer composed of eolian and talus deposits (breccia, gravel, sand, and loam) Aquifer composed of Upper Quaternary deposits of alluvial and alluvial-fan plains (conglomerate, coarse gravel, sand, sandy loam, and loam) Aquifer composed of Middle Quaternary deposits of high terraces (calcareous travertine, sandstone, conglomerate, gravel, coarse gravel, sand, and loam)

1.0-42.8

1.0-42.5

5.2

0.53-2.12

Up to 71

1.3-71.0

-0.5-8.84

0.45-5.56

Up to 41.1

1.2-38.5

0.45-0.8

0.43-10.1

Up to 80.9

1.5-64.0

4-19

0.08-0.5

0.5-6.96

0.4-3.38

261

Table 20

General characteristics of mineral waters of Afghanistan.

Mineral water Type Carbonated Nitrous thermal (often with Carbon dioxide) Sulfur Water Confined to gypsiferous and salt-bearing rocks of Mesozoic and Cenozoic ages Confined to sulfide exidation zones Temperature (oC) 18-42 Yield (l/s) 0.01-n* pH 6-6.5, more rarely up to 7.5 7.3-8.5 Formula of Water CO2 M0.4-5.0 HCO330-90 C120-90 SO4 up to 10 (Na+K)20-180 Ca10-80 Mg10.30 N2, CO2 M0.3-1.5 HCO3 20-50 C140-65 SO4 up to 5 Cu20-50 (Na+K)30-65Mg5-30 H2S, HS-, CO2 M0.5 C1 up to 85 SO410-15 HCO3 up to 5 Ca50-70 Mg20-50 (Na+K) 5-30 O2 M6-341 C.50-97 SO45-50 HCO3 up to 5 (Na+k)60-95 Ca20-40 Mg5-15 O2 M0.5-19.0 HCO330-60 SO410-50 C1 up to 5 Ca30-60 (Na+K)20-30 Mg15-30 Microelements in appreciable amount Li, Rb, Cs, B, Ge, Be, As, Fe, Ba Sr, TR, Se, Sb, Pb Ag Si, Al, Zr, Mo, W, Sn, Sc, Tr, Ga, Be, Ge Li, Ge, As, Be, F, Br Organic matter

Formation Environment Metamorphism

20-52

n-10n

Reduction

18-55

n-10n

7.1-8.0

Oxidation

10-18

0.1-1n

6.6-7.6

Mn, Ba, P, F, Sr

10-18

0.1-1n

2.0-6.0

Mn, Ba, P, F, Sr

* n = 1-9

262

Table 21
Belt 1

Characteristics of Carbonated springs in various belts and zones of Afghanistan (After V V Kurennoi, V I Belyanin, and B A Kolotov).
Zone 2 Spring 3 Kalta Kay Kushk-i-Khuna Tagaw-Ghaza Ghor-Ghori 1 4 9 18 No. on map (appendix No. 8) 4 30 17-26 24 24-35 Temperature (oC) 5 1.0 0.01-0.1 2.3 10 Discharge (l/s) 6 CO2 M80.0 C1 97 Present (Na + K) 98 CO2-3 M7.0 HCO372 SO414 C1 14 (Na + K) 92 Mg 8 CO2-3.1 M2.0 HCO375 C1 19 (Na + K) 67 Ca 22 CO2-2.2 M1.1 HCO352 c148 (Na + K) 68 Ca31 Mg1 CO2-3.0 M3.0 HCO396 C12.5 SO41.5 (N + K)43 Ca33 Mg24 CO2 M2.6 HCO345 C140 SO414 Present Ca65 Mg20 (Na+K)15 Formula of water 7 Not determined Not determined F(600), Br(500), B, Be, As, Si, Ti, Mn, A1 A1 (n 1000), Si (N 1000), Fe (1000), Ti(30), Ba(30), Sr(2), Be(1), As, V, Ga, Ni, Co, Y, Cu, Pb, Cr Si (N 1000), A1 (1000), Fe n 1000) Mn(10), Ti(30), As(10), Ge(1), Be(1), Li(3300), Rb(470), Cs(260), B (50000), Ni, Co, Zr, V, Cr, Cu, Pb, Zn, Sn, P Si (n 1000), A1 (1000), Fe (N 1000), Mn (300), Be (100), As (250), Ti (500), Ge(30), Li(18400), Rb(4300), Cs(3800), B(220000), Ni, Co, Cr, Zr, V, Zn, Pb, Sb, Sr, Ba Si(n 1000), Al (100), Fe (n 1000), Ti(100), As(5), Be(10), Ge(1), Li(2000), Rb(700), Cs(500), B, Pb,Ag, Cu, Ga Si (n 100), A1(100), Fe(100), P, Ba Microelements (Mcg/1) 8

Main

Herat

Main

PanjwGorbndPanjsher Khwaja-Quch PanjawGorbandPanjsher 26 25 0.6

Main

Surkh-i-Parse

37

36

.1

Main

PanjawGorbandPanjsher

Paymuri

677

24

0.5

CO2-5.1 M4.9 C1 55 HCO342 SO43 (Na+K)76 Ca12 Mg12

Main

PanjawGorbandPansher Badakhshan

Sare Mazar

47

28

3.0

CO2-3.5 M3.1 C1 85 HCO311 SO44 (Na+K)85 Mg13 Ca2 CO2-0.1 M0.6 C1 35 HCO334 SO431 (Na+K)34 Ca34 Mg32

Main

Shah-i-Mazar

51

17

0.2

263

Table 22 Characteristics of Nitrous Thermal Water Springs of Afghanistan (After V V Kurennoi, V I Belyanin, and B A Kolotov).
Zone 1 Spring 2 Ab-i-Garm No. on map Appx 8 3 134 Discharge l/s 4 2.0 Temperature o C 5 42 Formula of Water 6 N2 + CO2 M0.8 C1 57 SO433 Na 90 N2 M0.15 HCO381 C1 19 Mg 45 Ca 36 (Na + K) 19 N2 M1.0 C1 81 HCO3 19 (Na + K) 68 Ca 17 Mg 15 N2 + CO2 M0.6 HCO3 44 SO439 C1 14 Ca 35 Mg 35 (Na + K) 30 CO2 + N2 M0.9 HCO380 C1 18 Ca 58 Mg 32 Na 10 M0.5 SO438 C1 35 HCO327 (Na + K) 50 Ca Mg 22 N2 M1.6 SO438 C1 35 HCO327 (Na + K) 50 Ca 28 Mg 22 Microelements mcg/I 7 Si (nx 10000), F (1500), Br (500), other microelements not determined Si (N 10000), A1 (n 1000), Be (3), Ge (1), TR, Sn Si (n 1000), A1 (n 100), W (3), Mo (I), Ge (I), Sn(2), Li (10), Zn, Cu, Ti, V Si (n 10000), A1 (n 1000), Fe (n 100), Mn, Ti, Sr, Cu Si (n *0000), Mo (5), Sr(100), Cu (5), Li(30), F (400) Si (n 1000), Fe (n 100), Ti, Cu, Sr Si (n 1000), F (900), Br (700) ; other microelements not determined

Herat

Abi

102

4.0

43

PanjawGarbandPanjsher

Sarobay

104

1.0

52

Tirin-Azdar

Bande-Kajaki

125

38

Tirin-Azdar

Oruzgan

117

5.5

40

Pasaband

Ziarat-Garmah

127

30

Pule Khumri

131

10

33

Note: n = 1-9

264

Table 23 Characteristics of some Sulphur Water Springs of Afghanistan (After V V Kurennoi, V I Belyanin, and B A Kolotov).
Water Temperature (oC)

Discharge site

No. on map Appx 8

Discharge (l/s)

Formula of water

Microelements (mcg/1)

Well Ghanj

140

25

51

H2S 0.06 M3.4 C163 SO433 HCO34 Ca60 Mg29 (Na+K) 11

Br(3300), F(1300), As(3), Ge(1), Be (1), Li (100), Zn(1), Y, B, Ni

Well No 1

138

5.6

36

H2S 0.05 C1 84 M2.6 Ca 64 Mg 28

Not determined

Sare-Gilyan

106

37

H2S present M0.3 C152 HCO343 SO43 (Na+K) 61 Ca32 Mg6

Zn(3), As(1), Sn(1), P

265

Table 24

Characteristics of Mineral Water found in oxidation environment.

Spring Asanoka-Tugra No. on map Appx 8 165 Discharge (l/s) 3 Water Temperature (oC) 16 Formula of water SO4 99.8____________ M19.5 A162 Fe14 Na10 Ca6 SiO34 Mg3.5 M0.51 HCO345 SO431 C124 (Na+K) 51 Ca30 Mg19 M6 C176 SO423 (Na+K) 75 Ca23 M341 C 198____ (Na+K 98) Microelements (mcg/1) Ti (n 10,000), Mn (n 10,000), Cu, 00, P Cu(30), Co(3), Ni(1), Zn(3), Ti(n 1000), Fe (n 1000), V, TR, Be Fe (n 100), Si (n 1000) A1 (n 100), Ti, Cu, Sr Mn, Ti, Zr, Cu, Sr

Formation Processes

Sulfide Oxidation Aynak Chashma-i-Namak Salt leaching Near Gok Salt deposit 150 18 150 0.3 0.3 18 24

Table 25
Sample No.

Isotopic Analysis of Carbonated Mineral Waters in the Central Panjaw-Gorband Panjsher Zone.
2008 -10.9 4001 -10.9 4007 -10.5 4009 -10.9 4028 -11.7

O% SNOW

18

266

Table 26 Main ore districts and mineral deposits of Afghanistan and Microelement composition of carbonated water in the vicinity of the deposits.
Ore district and or deposit Middle Kabul mineralization district Typical minerals and elements in ore Bornite, chalcocite, chalcopyrite, copper carbonates, cobaltite, Sc, TR, Be Galena, sphalerite, barite, chalcopyrite, azurite, malachite, arsenopyrite Magnetite, hematite chalcopyrite, pyrite Fluorite, galena TR, Th, Sc, Be, Sr, Ba Spodumene, lepidolite, tantalite, beryl, tourmaline Spring within the deposit area Panjaw-Gorband-Panjsher zone, Mukur-Tarnak, Rode zone Carbonated water discharge area Awparan Microelements in anomalous concentrations in water

Cu, Co, Sc, Be, Ce, La

Farenjal ore district Harjigak iron deposite Bakhod fluorite ore district Malekdokand aragnoite deposit Rare-metal pegmatite fields

Gorband and Lolenj Springs Syah-Sang, Qala, Turkman, Springs

Ba, As, Pb, Zn, Cu, Sh, Fe, Sr Fe, Cu, Co F TR, Th, Sc, Be, Sr, Ba Li, Rb, Cs, B, Ge, Be, Sc, TR

267

Table 27

Characteristics of commercial rare-metal-bearing waters from middle Afghanistan.

Spring No. on map Appx. 8 35 34 River basin Lolenj Surkh-i-Parse Lolenj Garband Namakab Qala Qala Qala Qala Discharge (l/s) 0.1 0.4 0.3 1.5 0.1 2.0 0.2 3.5 1.0 Rare alkalis and BO2 content in water (mg/1)X Li 8.0 3.3 10.0 5.6 ~50 6.4 9.9 10.45 18.40 Rb 2.73 0.49 3.80 3.35 ~45.0 1.83 1.73 2.91 4.39 Cs 0.6 0.34 0.88 0.74 16.4 1.29 1.20 2.65 3.88 B02 100 80 120 100 650 400 430 450 650 Concentration of microelements (mcg/1)xx Ge 3-5 5 10 Not found 10 10 20 30 20 Be 30 10 10 30 10 10 3 100 80 As 10 100 10 10 10 50 100 200 200 Dissolved solids (g/1) 3.5 2.6 23.4 3.3 46.0 3.1 4.2 3.6 4.9 TempeRate (oC) 27 38 20 27 25 36 19 42 29

Occurrence Area

Garband-Lolenj

40 36 43 129

Qala

319 319 677

Note: x As determined by flame-photometric method xx As determined by approximate quantitative spectral method

268

Figure 1

Geological Cross Section through the Sarobay Muscovite Deposit (after O.N. Filippov, 1974).

1 2 3-4 3 4 5 6

Gneiss Barren pegmatite bodies Zones with mica-bearing pegmatites: with economic muscovite grade with sub-economic muscovite grade Granite Drill holes

269

Figure 2 Geological Sketch Map and Cross Section through the Jamanak Lithium Deposit (after L.N. Rossovskiy).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

Tallus and alluvial fan deposits Phyllite, siltstone and sandstone Muscovite-biotite and garnet-staurolite-mica schist Marble, marbled limestone Spodumene-microcline-albite pegmatite Albitized pegmatite with spodumene and microcline Numbers of main spodumene-bearing pegmatite dikes Line of geological cross section

270

Figure 3 Geological Sketch Map of the Central Segment of the Parun Field of Rare-Metal Pegmatites (after. G.K.Eriomenko and L.N. Rossovskiy, 1974).

1 2 3 4 5 6-9 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

Schist, sandstone, siltstone Crystalline schist, gneiss Marble and marbled limestone Two-mica granite Dioritic gabbro Pegmatite dikes Spodumene-microcline-albite, spodumene-albite pegmatites; Weakly albitized microcline pegmatite, with beryl disseminations and crystals; Albitized microcline and albite pegmatites with lithium phosphates Oligoclase-microcline-biotite-muscovite pegmatite. Faults Strike and dip Lithium-bearing deposits I. Pasgushta II. Pasgushta Lower III. Jamanak IV. Yaryghul V. Drumghal VI. Tsamghal VII. Pashki

271

Figure 4 Geological sketch Map and Cross Section through the Khanneshin Carbonatite Volcano (after G.K.Eriomenko, 1975).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

Unconsolidated Recent deposits Conglomerate Leucitic phonolite Calcite carbonatite dikes Unconsolidated tuffaceous sandy formations Psammitic bedded tuff Silty-psammitic tuff with coarse carbonatite fragments Silty-psammitic tuff Calcic carbonatites: a) extrusions b) lava flows relicts c) agglomerates Thick-bedded caldera-type tuff Barium-calcic carbonatites: a) of vent facies; b) lahar breccia type Intrusive heterogenous calcic carbonatites Strike and dip: a) of bedding; b) of flow banding in the rocks Line of geological cross section

272

Figure 5

Geological Sketch Map of the Maghn Tin Occurrence (after V.S. Kirichek, 1974).

1 2 3 4 5

Alluvium Marbled limestone, dolomite Strongly ferruginous breccias with cassiterite disseminations Slightly ferruginous breccias Faults

273

Figure 6 Geological Map and Cross Section through the Central and northern Segments of the Tourmaline" Tin Deposit (after M.F. Rulkovskiy, 1971).

274

Figure 7

Sketch Map of the Okhankashan Copper and Gold Occurrence (after Yu. I. Shcherbina, 1974).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13

Recent unconsolidated deposits Limestone, marl, quartzose sandstone Siltstone, sandstone, gravel, limestone, volcanics Dike of diorite porphyry, granite and monzonite porphyry Granite porphyry, granodiorite porphyry and syenite porphyry Epidote-garnet-magnetite skarn Magnetite-hematite bearing skarn Zones with molybdenum-copper mineralization Zones with gold mineralization Faults Strongly shattered zones Contacts of unconformable beds Strike and dip of beds

275

Figure 8 Geological Map and Cross Section through the Bakhud Fluorite Deposit (after V.A. Avtonomov, 1976).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Recent unconsolidated deposits; a) alluvial fans; b) talus; Limestone Siltstone, sandstone, marl, limestone Dolomitized limestone Carbonate-fluorite ore Quartz-fluorite ore Faults Strike and Dip: a) of the rocks; b) of faults' planes Areas explored in detail: 1 Northern; 2 Southern; 3 Eastern Line of geological cross section

276

Figure 9 Geological Sketch Map and Cross Section through the Shaida Pyritiferous Copper Deposit (after A.G. Kovalenko, 1973).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

Volcanics Granite Quartz-sericite metasomatites Zones of limonitized rocks with sulphide disseminations Massive sulphide ore Veinlet-disseminated sulphide ore Faults Drill holes Line of geological cross section

277

Figure 10 Geological Cross Section through the Central Area of the Aynak Copper Deposit (after V.M.Chmyriov, 1975).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

Neogene formations Phlogopite-quartz-plagioclase schist with pyrite disseminations Carboniferous-quartz slate with pyrite Quartz-plagioclase schist and quartzite, with interbedded and disseminated chalcopyrite and bornite Dolomitic marble, phlogopite-plagioclase and-Carboniferous-quartz schist and slate, with discontinuous chalcopyrite mineralization Dolomitic marble Muscovite-phlogopite-carbonate-plagioclase schist, with pyrite disseminations Paraamphibolite, hornblende and hornblende-plagioclase crystalline schist Faults Drill holes

278

Figure 11

Sketch geological map of the Chorqala bauxite occurrence (after S.S. Karapetov et al. 1969).

1 2 3 4 5

Quaternary deposits Limestone and dolomite Bauxite and bauxite-like rook Faults: a) certain b) assumed under Quaternary deposits Strike and dip of beds

279

Figure 12 Geological Sketch Map-and Cross Section through the Obatu-Shela Bauxite Deposit (after Yu. M.Dovgal et al., 1971).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Oolitic limestone, siltstone, sandstone Limestone, argillite, siltstone Bauxite and bauxite-type rocks Flaggy limestone Massive limestone Faults a) certain; b) assumed Line of geological cross section

280

Figure 13 Scheme of Hydrogeological zoning of Afghanistan (after E.P. Malyarov and V.M. Chmyriov, 1976).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

Artesian basins: 11.-in platforms; 12 in troughs; Subartesian basins: Basins in superimposed formations. Basins in closed intermontane troughs. Basins with fracture-karat water. Hydrogeological massifs: 61. strongly dissected- 62 dissected. Partly glacial hydrogeological massifs. Faults: certain and assumed. Boundaries of the hydrogeological regions. Boundaries of hydrogeological-type structures. Geological age and symbol of the main aquifers and water bearing complexes.

NORTH AFGHANISTAN ARTESIAN AREA. Artesian Basins: I1. Amu-Darya-; I2. Xunduz; I3. Xulab-Rokcha; I4. Sheberghan; I6. Kushka Basins with fracture-karat water: I7. Murghab; I9. Maymana; I9. Shashan Hydrogeological massifs: I5. Bande-Turkestan, dissected; I10. Surkhab, strongly dissected. II. CENTRAL AFGHANISTAN HYDROGEOLOGICAL FOLDED AREA Hydrogeological massifs: II1. Hindu Khush-Badakhshan, partly cryogenic, strongly dissected; II2. HariRod, dissected; II3. Upper Hilmand-Sarobi, dissected; II11. Arghandab, dissected. Basins with fracture-karst water: II6. Middle Hilmand; II7. Tyrin. Subartesian basins: II5. Harutrod; II10. Oruzgan. Basins in superimposed formations: II4. Adreskan; II8. Dasht-i-Nawar; II9. Farah-Rod. III. SOUTHERN AFGHANISTAN ARTESIAN AREA. Artesian basins: III1. Katawaz; III2. Lower Hilmand; III3. Regestan. Basin with fracture-karst water: III4 Tarnak; III5. Chaghay Basins in superimposed troughs: A. Khakhan; B. Wakhan; C. Balkh; D. Baghlan; E. Herat; F. Middle Afghanistan; G. Kabul; H. Jalalabad; I. Aynak; K. Sehdaraht; L. Dakki-Tundy; M. Ob-e-Istada. 281

Figure 14 Distribution of anomalous concentrations of chemical elements in mineral waters of Afghanistan (compiled by B.A.Kolotov, 1977).

1 2 3 4 5 6 7

Cs and Rb in carbonated waters confined to boundary faults traceable in median masses Li in carbonated waters confined to deep-seated faults Mo, W, Sn, Be is nitrous thermal waters confined to the near-contact parts of granitoid massifs of the Argandab-Tirin metallogenetic zone (a) and assumed anomalous concentrations of the elements is the Helmand and Wakhan zones (b); Al, Fe, Ti, Cu, Co, Zn, P, SO4-2 is acidic water springs of the Argandab-Tirin Zone related to the oxidized sulphide ore bodies; TR, Th in carbonated waters of the Regestan metallogenetic zone; Fe, Ba, As, Be, Ge, Cu, Pb is carbonated waters of the Hari Rod-Panjsher metallogenetic zone of polycyclic mineralization; Faults: a) major, b) minor

282

Figure 15

Administrative division of Afghanistan as of January, 1972*.

*In October, 1979 the names of some provinces were changed.

283

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