The purpose of this proposal is to present a program for assessing the coal and coal bed methane resources of Afghanistan. Coal has historically been used in Afghanistan for small industry (notably cement and textile manufacture and food processing) and as a primary source of household fuel in both raw and briquetted forms. Electrical generation from coal has occurred intermittently at Mazar-E-Sharif. The main factors limiting coal use in the past appear to have been lack of transportation facilities and remote terrain. Initial indications are that coal could be more widespread than indicated by existing inventories. Of particular interest is the extent of coal away from the structurally deformed surface exposures where underground mining has historically occurred into less deformed areas in the shallow subsurface that could potentially be surfaced mined.

Objectives

The objective of the proposed study will be to assess the quality, quantity and distribution of coal throughout Afghanistan and to develop the indigenous capability for refinement of these assessments on a sustainable basis by the Afghanistan Ministry of Mines and Industries. Coal bed and coalmine methane potential will also be assessed. This assessment will be comprehensive in nature, but will be executed in phases appropriate to the overall relief and reconstruction effort.

Initial project activities

Coal Resources Assessment. Activity in this resource area was begun in March-April 2004, with USGS geologists visiting with Afghanistan Geological Survey and Ministry of Mines counterparts and together undertaking initial fieldwork in the selected coal producing areas. Coal samples were collected and have been submitted to analytical laboratories for the determination of the quality of Afghanistan coal deposits. Additional work is planned in the next year, which will focus on determining the occurrence, distribution, thickness, and quality of the coal resources in the country.