Minerals, and rocks

Antique Silver Lapis Necklace from Afghanistan 

It is estimated that forty million years ago the tectonic plates of India-Europe, Asia and Africa collided in a massive upheaval. This upheaval created the region of towering mountains that now includes Afghanistan. This diverse geological foundation has resulted in a significant mineral heritage with over 1,400 mineral occurrences recorded to date, including gold, copper, lithium, uranium, iron ore, cobalt, natural gas and oil. Helmand, one of the largest cities in Afghanistan, is extremely rich in natural resources such as: uranium, magnate, carbonate, stucco, zing quicksilver, alabaster and others, but deprived from getting benefits of these resources due to lack of mining industry.  According to New York time the existence of iron, copper, cobalt, and lithium could make Afghanistan the most mining center in the world. A small pentagon team and American geologist discovered the huge scale of Afghanistan minerals wealth which former President Hamid Karzai claimed worth 30 trillion in 2013.

 ·         Badakhshan Province 12 lapis mines

·         Copper deposit in Logar province

·         Gemstones in Nooristan province

·         Gold and oil in Paktika province

Afghanistan is the world’s leading producer of lapis-lazuli in Badakhshan province, yet nine zones have been identified for different lazurite grades. Emerald production from the deposits of the Panshjer valley in Kapisa province. Ruby from Kabul
( Capital of Afghanistan) is believed to be part of the British crown jewels. Also, Kunzite and tourmaline crystals are found in the Lagman province.  

Lazurite

Local seller of  Lapis

Natural tourmaline

Rubellitesur mine in Afghanistan 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mining_in_Afghanistan

http://www.livescience.com/47682-rare-earth-minerals-found-under-afghanistan.html 

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/06/14/world/asia/14minerals.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0