Geology and Undiscovered Resource Assessment of the Potash-Bearing Central Asia Salt Basin, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan
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Global Mineral Resource Assessment Geology and Undiscovered Resource Assessment of the Potash-Bearing Central Asia Salt Basin, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5090–AA U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey This page intentionally left blank Global Mineral Resource Assessment Michael L. Zientek, Jane M. Hammarstrom, and Kathleen M. Johnson, editors Geology and Undiscovered Resource Assessment of the Potash-Bearing Central Asia Salt Basin, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan By Jeff Wynn, Greta J. Orris, Pamela Dunlap, Mark D. Cocker, and James D. Bliss Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5090–AA U.S. Department of the Interior U.S. Geological Survey U.S. Department of the Interior SALLY JEWELL, Secretary U.S. Geological Survey Suzette M. Kimball, Director U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2016 For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living resources, natural hazards, and the environment—visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1–888–ASK–USGS. For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod/. Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the U.S. Government. Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner. Suggested citation: Wynn, Jeff, Orris, G.J., Dunlap, Pamela, Cocker, M.D., and Bliss, J.D., 2016, Geology and undiscovered resource assessment of the potash-bearing Central Asia Salt Basin, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report SIR 2010–5090–AA, 106 p., and spatial data, http://dx.doi.org/10.3133/sir20105090AA. ISSN 2328-0328 (online) iii Acknowledgments This publication represents the work of the authors and many reviewers, GIS specialists and figure preparers, as well as people familiar with stratabound and halokinetic potash-bearing salt deposits. Steve Jasinski (USGS), Lori Apodaca (USGS), Helen Folger (USGS), and Mark Gettings (USGS) provided formal technical reviews. Series edit was provided by Kate Johnson (USGS). The authors acknowledge Michael Zientek and Jane Hammarstrom of the USGS, who provided logistical guidance through the late stages of the USGS global potash assessment. Bruce Lipin, Greg Spanski, and Steve Ludington participated in the three-part form of assessment of the Gissar tact. Chao Yang (Saskatchewan Geological Survey), Mirosław Słowakiewicz (Polish Geological Institute–National Research Institute), and Robert J. Ryan (Nova Scotia Department of Natural Resources) provided insights into potash deposits in their respective countries, and assisted in the three-part assessment of the Gissar tract. Assistance with the GIS part of this report was provided by a large number of people, especially Karen Bolm (deceased), Deborah Briggs, Leila Gass, Robert Miller, and Connie Dicken. Drew Luders, Joe Miles, Heather Parks, and Kassandra Lindsey assisted in preparation of figures. All these individuals are USGS employees, students, or contractors. This page intentionally left blank v Contents Abstract ...........................................................................................................................................................1 Chapter 1. Overview of the Geology and Assessment of Undiscovered Potash Resources in the Central Asia Salt Basin, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan ...........3 Introduction............................................................................................................................................3 Geologic Overview................................................................................................................................8 Basin History, Tectonics, and Structure ..................................................................................8 Basin Stratigraphy .......................................................................................................................8 Salt and Potash ..........................................................................................................................10 Assessment..........................................................................................................................................11 Assessment Depth .....................................................................................................................11 Assessment Methods ...............................................................................................................12 Assessment and Results Summary ........................................................................................12 Summary...............................................................................................................................................12 Chapter 2. Potash-Bearing Salt Assessment for the Gissar Tract (142mxK0005a)— Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Afghanistan ...........................................................13 Introduction .........................................................................................................................................13 Location ................................................................................................................................................13 Basin History........................................................................................................................................13 Salt.........................................................................................................................................................15 Assessment..........................................................................................................................................15 Delineation of the Permissive Tract ........................................................................................15 Definition of Resources ............................................................................................................15 Discovered Resources ..............................................................................................................19 Akbash ................................................................................................................................19 Gaurdak ..............................................................................................................................19 Karabil ................................................................................................................................19 Karlyuk ................................................................................................................................19 Kugitang .............................................................................................................................21 Kyzylmazar .........................................................................................................................21 North Gaurdak ...................................................................................................................21 Okuzbulak ...........................................................................................................................21 South Lyalimkan ................................................................................................................22 Tyubegatan .........................................................................................................................22 Mineral Occurrences ................................................................................................................22 Adamtash ...........................................................................................................................22 Donguzsyrt .........................................................................................................................22 Khamkan .............................................................................................................................24 Khodzhaikan ......................................................................................................................24 Uzunkuduk ..........................................................................................................................26 Exploration and Development History ....................................................................................26 Data Availability .........................................................................................................................26 vi Contents—Continued Quantitative Estimation .............................................................................................................26 Need for Two Estimation Approaches...........................................................................26 Assessment of Undiscovered Potash Resources as Halokinetic Potash- Bearing Salt Deposits .........................................................................................26 Three-Part Form of Assessment Process and Rationale ..................................27 Results .......................................................................................................................28