AFGHANISTAN n World-class undeveloped deposits n Significant potential for further major discoveries n Government favourable to mineral development n New mining law SPECIAL PUBLICATION AFGHANISTAN A message from the Hon. Eng. Ibrahim Adel, Minister of Mines T IS a privilege for me to draw your attention to this geology is still relatively unknown, and along which Mining Journal special supplement on Afghanistan. many mineral deposits remain to be discovered. IMining in Afghanistan has a history dating back over We are starting to see the first shoots of re-growth 6,000 years, and despite all the upheavals over the past of the minerals industry. For example, construction 25 years, mining has continued to operate. The main minerals production has grown dramatically with the task facing us now is to expand the industry from its increased need for raw materials to feed road building present small base. and reconstruction. I expect this will be followed shortly The Government regards the development of by further investment in the coal, cement and hydro- Afghanistan’s natural resources as the most impor- carbons industries. The first signs of grassroots mineral tant driver of economic growth, and essential to the exploration for gold have started, and with the appoint- reconstruction and development of the country. In ment of Tender Advisors for the future development of order to achieve this growth, Afghanistan must become the world class Aynak copper deposit, I expect this to established as a globally competitive and attractive lead to really significant investment in the mining sec- destination for investment in mineral and hydrocarbon tor of the economy in the very near future. Aynak is one exploration. Development of these resources must of the world’s largest undeveloped copper deposits and be effectively regulated to promote a healthy and it has already attracted interest from a wide spectrum of sustainable industry for the benefit of the people of international companies. Afghanistan. In my view, security is an issue but is not a significant “The Government To meet these objectives the Government, with the problem with trouble only occurring in areas close regards the help of the World Bank and other donor agencies, has to the Pakistan border. The majority of the country is started the reconstruction and reform of the Ministry entirely peaceful and ready for the exploration of both development of of Mines. The former Ministry of Mines and Industries solid minerals and hydrocarbons. Afghanistan’s natural was responsible for extractive and associated heavy Investment in the country brings with it the industries, mining and construction minerals, hydrocar- responsibility of safeguarding and regulating the resources as the most bons and the operation of downstream industries. The investment. Consequently one of my priorities will be important driver of new Ministry of Mines is responsible for assisting in the to support the principles of the Extractive Industries exploration, exploitation and processing of minerals Transparency Initiative (EITI) in the granting of licences economic growth, and hydrocarbons. and the collection of revenue. The government will and essential to the The promotion of the geological potential of the then distribute these monies to other official depart- country will be carried out by the re-habilitated Af- ments. reconstruction and ghanistan Geological Survey. It will provide comprehen- I invite you to read this supplement. It clearly illus- development of the sive, objective, impartial and up to date geoscientific trates the very high potential of the minerals industry information and advice to the Government and the user in Afghanistan and helps to promote our vision to country” community. There is still much geological work to be establish Afghanistan as an attractive destination for done as our country lies astride the important collision investment in mineral and hydrocarbon exploration, zone between the Indian and Eurasian plates whose development and mining. CONTENTS A country of opportunity 3 Geological overview 4 AFGHANISTAN Afghan Geological Survey 5 Major metals 6 Minor metals 8 Gemstones 9 Other minerals 10 Minerals law and key contacts 11 Published by Mining Journal, London, August 2006 2 Mining Journal special publication AFGHANISTAN A country of opportunity fghanIstan is a land of mountains and desert plains situated at the western end of the Himalaya range. It covers an area of about A647,500 km2, equivalent to the size of Texas. The country is completely landlocked and is bordered by Iran to the west, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and Tajikistan to the north and northeast, Pakistan to the east and south and China at the easternmost top of the Wakhan Corridor. GeogRaphY A complex system of mountain ranges forms a backbone trending across the country from NE to SW. The rugged Hin- du Kush, occupying the central-eastern and eastern area, is contiguous with the Himalayan ranges to the east. To the west the Hindu Kush decreases in height and passes into several ranges before fanning out into a series of foothills and then desert plains in the west of the country. The mountains act as a watershed between the Kabul-Indus river system to the southeast and the Amu Darya river system draining towards the north. The climate of the country is seasonally harsh and ranges from arid to semi-arid with cold winters and hot summers. Doud, who imposed a republic and declared himself 249 seats, directly elected for five-year terms and the People President. Subsequently, Doud was overthrown and ‘Meshrano Jirga’ or House of Elders (102 seats, one third Afghanistan is ethnically and linguistically mixed, executed during a Marxist revolution in 1978, which elected, one third elected from provincial councils and a result of its location astride the historic trade and led to the Soviet invasion in December 1979. Following one third presidential appointees, half of whom are invasion routes leading from central Asia into south and the Soviet withdrawal, the Mujahideen took control of women). The Judicial branch consists of the Stera Mah- southwest Asia. The population is estimated to be Kabul in 1992, however, infighting began soon after kama or Supreme Court (nine justices are appointed 28.5 million and is composed of a number of ethnic and the country slid into a state of anarchy. In 1994 the for 10-year terms by the President with approval of the groups. The largest groups are the Pashtuns and Tajiks, Taleban began to emerge in the south and their control Wolesi Jirga) and subordinate High Courts and Appeals others major groups are the Hazara, Uzbek, Turkmen, eventually spread to most of the country, including Ka- Courts. Aimaq, Baluch, Nuristani and Kizilbash. The chief bul in 1996. The Taleban were swept from power in late religions are Sunni Muslim 80%, Shi’a Muslim 19%, oth- 2001, following the bombing of Afghanistan by Ameri- EconomY ers 1%. The main languages are Dari (Afghan Persian), can and allied forces in the wake of the September 11 Since the fall of the Taleban in 2001 and the injection of spoken by about one-third of the population and terrorist attacks. Following the fall of the Taleban, Hamid over US$8 billion of international assistance there has forming the lingua franca for Afghanistan, and Pashto, Karzai was sworn in as head of an interim Government been significant progress in the economy. Afghanistan spoken mostly in the south and east Pashtun areas. in December 2001 and was elected interim head of has seen progress in the agricultural and service sectors Tajik is mostly spoken in the north. There are about 70 State in June 2002. A new constitution was adopted in as well as the re-establishment of market institutions. other languages spoken by small groups throughout January 2004, which led to the Presidential election in Despite problems of lack of infrastructure, lack of skilled Afghanistan. October 2004 and returned Mr Karzai as the Head of workforce and security, further progress remains a State. In December 2004, a new cabinet of Ministers was priority and this includes the natural resources sector. HIstoRY sworn in. Afghanistan has extensive deposits of natural gas, The chief factor in Afghanistan’s political development petroleum, coal, copper, chromite, talc, bartyes, sulphur, and foreign relations has been its geographic location GOVERnment lead, zinc, iron ore, salt, and precious and semi-precious at the crossroads of central, west and south Asia. The public sector consists of a central government, the stones. Following invasions from, amongst others, Alexander 34 provinces, municipalities and districts. There are also the Great and Genghis Khan, a monarchy was formed a number of state enterprises. Afghanistan is now an n GDP US$21.5 billion (2004 est) in 1747 that lasted until 1973. Afghanistan became Islamic Republic with an executive headed by President n GDP real growth rate 8% (2005 est) an independent country in 1919 following the Third Hamid Karzai and a Cabinet of 27 Ministers. An election n GDP per capita (PPP) US$800 (2004 est) Anglo-Afghanistan War. Recent Afghan history has been was held on September 18, 2005 for the new bicameral n GDP composition by sector (2005 est) agriculture: one of almost constant conflict. This was precipitated in National Assembly (the legislature). This consists of the 38%; industry: 24%; services; and 38% (this excludes 1973 by the overthrow of the monarchy by Mohammad ‘Wolesi Jirga’ or House of the People with no more that opium production) Mining Journal special publication 3 AFGHANISTAN Geological overview fghanIstan has some of the most 60º 61º 62º 63º 64º 65º 66º 67º 68º 69º 70º 71º 72º 73º 74º 75º complex and varied geology in the world. 38º The oldest rocks are Archean and they are succeeded by rocks from the Proterozoic and every Phanerozoic system up to the 0 100 200 km 37º Apresent day.