Skip Links

USGS - science for a changing world

Open-File Report 2014–1071

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

Characterization of Potential Mineralization in Afghanistan: Four Permissive Areas Identified Using Imaging Spectroscopy Data

By Trude V.V. King, Byron R. Berger, and Michaela R. Johnson

Thumbnail of and link to report PDF (101 MB)Abstract

As part of the U.S. Geological Survey and Department of Defense Task Force for Business and Stability Operations natural resources revitalization activities in Afghanistan, four permissive areas for mineralization, Bamyan 1, Farah 1, Ghazni 1, and Ghazni 2, have been identified using imaging spectroscopy data. To support economic development, the areas of potential mineralization were selected on the occurrence of selected mineral assemblages mapped using the HyMap™ data (kaolinite, jarosite, hydrated silica, chlorite, epidote, iron-bearing carbonate, buddingtonite, dickite, and alunite) that may be indicative of past mineralization processes in areas with limited or no previous mineral resource studies. Approximately 30 sites were initially determined to be candidates for areas of potential mineralization. Additional criteria and material used to refine the selection and prioritization process included existing geologic maps, Landsat Thematic Mapper data, and published literature. The HyMapTM data were interpreted in the context of the regional geologic and tectonic setting and used the presence of alteration mineral assemblages to identify areas with the potential for undiscovered mineral resources. Further field-sampling, mapping, and supporting geochemical analyses are necessary to fully substantiate and verify the specific deposit types in the four areas of potential mineralization.

First posted July 18, 2014

For additional information, contact:
Director, Crustal Geophysics and Geochemistry Science Center
U.S. Geological Survey
Box 25046, MS 964
Denver, CO 80225
http://crustal.usgs.gov/

Part or all of this report is presented in Portable Document Format (PDF). For best results viewing and printing PDF documents, it is recommended that you download the documents to your computer and open them with Adobe Reader. PDF documents opened from your browser may not display or print as intended. Download the latest version of Adobe Reader, free of charge. More information about viewing, downloading, and printing report files can be found here.


Suggested citation:

King, T.V.V., Berger, B.R., and Johnson, M.R., 2014, Characterization of potential mineralization in Afghanistan: Four permissive areas identified using imaging spectroscopy data: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2014–1071, 67 p., https://dx.doi.org/10.3133/ofr20141071.

ISSN 2331-1258 (online)



Contents

Abstract

Introduction

Bamyan 1 Area of Potential Mineralization

Farah 1 Area of Potential Mineralization

Ghazni 1 Area of Potential Mineralization

Ghazni 2 Area

Summary of Potential for Mineral Resources

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/2014/1071/index.html
Page Contact Information: GS Pubs Web Contact
Page Last Modified: Wednesday, 07-Dec-2016 19:36:52 EST