76 On the Mineral resources, fyc. of Northern Afghanistan. [No. 109. 



The system of mining which has been pursued here, differs materially from our improved modern 

 methods. Instead of taking up a more convenient position for commencing operations lower 

 down the brow of the mountain, and driving a gallery for a considerable distance, perhaps through 

 barren ground, so as to reach the vein at a proper depth, and which opening is made at the same 

 time to act as a drain, the plan adopted by the ancient miners seems to have been the making of a 

 small entrance, about 3 feet wide, and 4 feet high upon the vein itself, and having gone down upon 

 it at once in a sloping direction, until a certain depth was attained, they pursued a horizontal 

 course, and stripped the roof of ore in their progress. This inattention to drainage has answered 

 so long as the ore could be followed without the occurrence of water, but I suspect even then in some 

 places, they must have felt inconvenience from the water caused by the melting of the snow in 

 spring. I do not believe from the appearance of the galleries which are still remaining, that timber 

 was much used, if employed at all for supporting them. The structure of the rocks in most places 

 being of a compact character, and the great dryness that prevailed, may have enabled the miners 

 to work to a considerable extent without that aid. In excavating the ore and opening ground, these 

 people seem to have used a sharp-pointed well-tempered instrument, as may be observed by the 

 marks of their work on the walls of the galleries, particularly at the mine of Seestungee. 



As the most important point to ascertain is the appearance of the deposits of ore at a considerable 

 depth, the width of the veins, &c. I have been particularly desirous of penetrating so far under 

 ground as to arrive at the different spots where the ancient miners left off working. In some 

 instances I got so far, that I believed I should soon accomplish that object, but I have invariably 

 had my progress arrested by large masses of rock, stones, and rubbish which have fallen in. A 

 native of Moosye lately brought me intelligence of some deep excavations which have been 

 discovered on the eastern side of the Silawat Pass. Upon asking him why he had not taken a light 

 to examine the interior, and see if they were more perfect than those I had already discovered, he 

 gave me to understand, that like the rest of his countrymen, he had superstitious misgivings in 

 regard to the exploring of those old and abandoned excavations, and was further deterred by 

 observing the skin of a snake at the entrance of one of the galleries. The dread of meeting reptiles 

 of this kind in these deserted mines, is one of the reasons why the people are so ignorant about 

 them. The same individual told me, that often as he had hunted over those mountains from his 

 earliest youth, he had not the least idea that the excavations were so numerous, only a few had 

 been observed, or were known to the neighbourhood until I commenced my researches. 



On crossing from the Moosye range to the mountains of Baghgye, I obtained some rich specimens 

 of vitreous and purple copper ore in different places, and also copper pyrites, but did not observe 

 any regular vein, except one of copper pyrites in hornblende gneiss, which is about 10 inches wide ; 

 this is very poor at the surface, but may however at some depth turn out rich. At Kotil i Dushtuk, 

 I picked up a good number of stones containing copper pyrites in a hornblende gneiss formation, 

 running N. E. and S. W. and dipping about 55- N. W. 



This rock is very dark in some places from the prevalence of the hornblende, in others it has a 

 yellow weathered appearance, and so much disintegrated, that I had not an opportunity of examin- 

 ing the locality well ; there are quantities of rock, green-stained from copper. In one place where it 

 was more compact, I obtained specimens from some strings or small veins of copper pyrites, in a 

 quartz matrix, evidently connected with a larger vein, and from the abundant indications at the 

 surface, I suspect that a considerable deposit must exist underneath. From Dundhanee in the 

 direction of Jowhar to the south of Rotil i Dushtuk, specimens of green-stained rock have been 

 brought me lately, and said to be in still greater abundance. 



To the south of the Baghgye range is the great mine of Koh i Aeenuk, which I have already men- 

 tioned, all in a state of ruin and dilapidation. Purple copper ore crops out to the surface ; and the 

 excavations, as well as a quantity of slag and vestiges of ancient houses that remain, show what a 

 productive mine this must have been in former days. The dreary and desolate aspect of the spot, 

 with a solitary hut and a few squalid inmates, afford a melancholy contrast to the throng of industry 

 which must have been witnessed here in better and more prosperous times. About a mile West of 



