Project location
Pashtun Zarghon iron ore mining project is located in the southeast part of Herat city, and its area is about 16.8 square kilometers. This area is one of the potential areas of metal deposits. This mining area is located on the southwest side which is 30 kilometers away from Pashtun Zarghon district, 15 kilometers from the Pashtun Zarghon district asphalt road and 55 kilometers from Herat city.
Lora and Todi is a mountainous region on the slopes of the mountains, the size of this exploration areas is about 16.815051 square kilometers. The iron ore mine is located at a distance of 20 kilometers from the center of Pashtun Zarghon district and including the Todi, Lora, Khosro Jan villages. So, this area is located in a distance of 35 kilometers from the airport and at a distance of 10 kilometers from the tarred road of Pashtun Zarghon district on the right side of the road.
Herat
Herat
Project objectives
The purpose of this project is to invest in the exploration of iron ore to supply raw materials for steel, which will lead to the economic growth of the country and revival and reconstruction of the affected areas around the project. It is worth mentioning that advancing the Pashtun Zarghon project is in accordance with the laws and regulations of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and Ashna Afghan Land Company is determined to comply with it in all aspects of its work.
One of the main goals of this project is to supply the raw materials of steel, which, as a result, meets the needs of various industries. Another goal of this project is to pave the way for full employment and increase income for local people as well as improve the national economy so that infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water are developed and have a positive impact on improving people’s living conditions. Finally, the goal of this project is the sustainable management of natural resources and reducing the negative effects of the project on the country’s environment.
The Goal of the Project as follow:
2. Begin the extraction phase upon approval of the extraction plan by the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum.
3. Create job opportunities for both professional and non-professional individuals in the local and regional areas.
4. Invest within the private sector of the country.
5. Prevent the outflow of capital from the country.
6. Encourage compatriots to invest within the country.
7. Utilize human resources effectively and promote creativity and environmental friendliness in the industry.
Advantages of the project scope:
2. Presence of barite and placer deposits in the area
3. 10 kilometers of asphalt communication roads
4. 10 kilometers of dirt road
5. Future railway line planned for Herat-Islam Qala-Pashtun
6. Proximity to the Iranian border (150 kilometers)
7. Availability of an adequate workforce
8. Strong support from Afghan authorities for Iranian investment in the mining and industry sector
9. Improved security situation compared to the pas
The method of extracting and designing the Pashtun Zarghon Herat project
- The Ashna Afghan Land Process and Mining Company will assess and choose the most suitable extraction method based on geological conditions, deposit morphology, and economic factors.
- The Ashna Afghan Land Process and Mining company will develop detailed mining plans, including mine design, infrastructure needs, and equipment selection.
- Identification and assessment of potential risks and uncertainties related to the project, including technical, operational, market, and supervisory risks.
- Development of strategies to reduce risks and plans to address and minimize potential project risks.
- The Ashna Afghan Land Process and Mining company will conduct thorough geological and exploration surveys to accurately estimate the quality and distribution of iron ore reserves.
- The Ashna Afghan Land Process and Mining use advanced exploration techniques, such as drilling and sampling, will be used to map the rock body and determine mineral reserves.
New Reports of the Pashtun Zarghon Iron Ore Project Activities
The Pashtun Zarghon Iron Ore Project is currently in the exploration phase, with ongoing exploration work conducted in cooperation with Iranian contractor team. Key activities include determining the boundaries of the mine and identifying drilling areas to assess mineral reserves. Geophysical work, such as remote sensing and magnetometry, is ongoing. However, exploration drilling is progressing slowly due to existing geological challenges. The technical team from Ashna Afghan Land Company has visited the Pashtun Zarghon iron mine areas and inspected the ongoing construction of the camp. The camp is equipped with all the necessary facilities for residents, including 24-hour electricity, drinking water, furnished rooms, a mosque, a kitchen, and security posts. Reconstruction work is actively underway, creating favorable living conditions for workers.
The Mining areas inspected by the company’s technical team are described as follows:
- Northern Area : Carbonate and oxide rock deposits have been observed.
- Western Area : Minerals indentified in this area include iron oxides, hematite , magnetite,limestone and granite.
- Northwestern Area : Triassic sediments and igneous rocks have been observed, characterized by erosional features.
- Southeastern Area : Sandy slopes rich in iron oxides and minerals , including hematite and magnetite iron ore , indicate potential reserves.
- Particularly in iron oxides such as hematite , magnetite, and limonite.
