Skip Links

USGS - science for a changing world
DOD Task Force for Business and Stability Operations Logo
DOD Task Force for Business and Stability Operations Logo

Open-File Report 2013–1180

Prepared in cooperation with the Afghan Geological Survey under the auspices of the U.S. Department of Defense Task Force for Business and Stability Operations

Reconnaissance Investigation of the Alluvial Gold Deposits in the North Takhar Area of Interest, Takhar Province, Afghanistan

By Peter G. Chirico, Katherine C. Malpeli, and Thomas W. Moran

USGS Afghanistan Project Product No. 184

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (10.4 MB)Abstract

This study is a reconnaissance assessment of the alluvial gold deposits of the North Takhar Area of Interest (AOI) in Takhar Province, Afghanistan. Soviet and Afghan geologists collected data and calculated the gold deposit reserves in Takhar Province in the 1970s, prior to the development of satellite-based remote-sensing platforms and new methods of geomorphic mapping. The purpose of this study was to integrate new mapping techniques with previously collected borehole sampling and concentration sampling data and geomorphologic interpretations to reassess the alluvial gold placer deposits in the North Takhar AOI. Through a combination of historical borehole and cross-section data and digital terrain modeling, the Samti, Nooraba-Khasar-Anjir, and Kocha River placer deposits were reassessed.

Resource estimates were calculated to be 20,927 kilograms (kg) for Samti, 7,626 kg for Nooraba-Khasar-Anjir, 160 kg for the mouth of the Kocha, 1,047 kg for the lower Kocha, 113 kg for the middle Kocha, and 168 kg for the upper Kocha. Previous resource estimates conducted by the Soviets for the Samti and Nooraba-Khasar-Anjir deposits estimated 30,062 kg and 802 kg of gold, respectively. This difference between the new estimates and previous estimates results from the higher resolution geomorphic model and the interpretation of areas outside of the initial work zone studied by Soviet and Afghan geologists.

First posted August 23, 2013

For additional information contact:
Peter G. Chirico

or

Eastern Geology and Paleoclimate Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
MS 926A National Center
12201 Sunrise Valley Drive
Reston, VA 20192
Telephone: 703-648-6915

Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF); the latest version of Adobe Reader or similar software is required to view it. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge.


Suggested citation:

Chirico, P.G., Malpeli, K.C., and Moran, T.W., 2013, Reconnaissance investigation of the alluvial gold deposits in the North Takhar Area of Interest, Takhar Province, Afghanistan: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2013–1180, 14 p., http://pubs.usgs.gov/of/2013/1180.



Contents

Introduction

Geology

Methodology

Results

Conclusion

References Cited


Accessibility FOIA Privacy Policies and Notices

Take Pride in America logo USA.gov logo U.S. Department of the Interior | U.S. Geological Survey
URL: http://pubsdata.usgs.gov/pubs/of/2013/1180/index.html
Page Contact Information: GS Pubs Web Contact
Page Last Modified: Friday, 23-Aug-2013 11:41:02 EDT