$1 Trillion Trove of Rare Minerals Revealed Under Afghanistan

[littlemissmartypants]

19. Excerpt Ministry of Mines Afghanistan: Geology

A new era in the study of Afghanistan's geology and mineral resources began when the Government of Afghanistan inaugurated the National Geological Survey in July 1955. This marked the initiation of organized surveys of the geological and mineral resources of this country, which continued through the next 25 years.  This period was characterized by extensive mapping operations and, subsequently, by geological surveys and the prospecting of mineral occurrences and a more detailed evaluation of selected prospects.

The Afghanistan Geological Survey (AGS) under the Ministry of Mines and Industries conducted this work in cooperation with German, Italian, French and Soviet geologists, as well as nominal support from the United Nations.

German, Italian and French geological missions were present in Afghanistan between 1959 and 1967.   Their assistance helped in the creation of maps and documentation of mineral deposits working in parallel with existing Soviet interests, who finalized and published a compendium of international studies.  This eventually led to the establishment of the Department of Geology and Mines and later the Department of Geological and Mineral Survey.

This period represented the most important phase of mineral exploration to date; and resulted in the production of a large number of reports and materials on mineral occurrences, resources and prospects

http://mom.gov.af/en/page/1378