Petrographic Composition, Physico-Chemical Characteristics, And Mechanical Properties of The Renzikhel Marbles In Central Afghanistan

Aziz Agha Mohmand; Abdulhalim Zaryab

doi:10.62810/jnsr.v3i4.320

Authors

Aziz Agha Mohmand Department of Oil and Gas Mines Engineering, Faculty of Geology and Mines, Kabul Polytechnic University, Kabul, Afghanistan
Abdulhalim Zaryab Department of Engineering Geology and Hydrogeology, Faculty of Geology and Mines, Kabul Polytechnic University, Kabul, Afghanistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.62810/jnsr.v3i4.320

Keywords:

Chemical composition, Durability, Maidan Wardak, Marble

Abstract

This article presents the geological and engineering geological characteristics of Ranzi Khel marbles. The Ranzi Khel mine is located in Maidan Wardak province. Geologically, it lies within the Helmand tectonic zone. To achieve the objectives, several samples were collected from different sites of the marble areas and transported to laboratories in Kabul city. Several slides were prepared from representative samples to characterize the petrographic composition under a polarizing microscope. The preliminary chemical composition of marbles was determined through X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) analysis. The physical and mechanical characteristics of marbles were assessed using various physico-mechanical tests. The petrographical study indicates that calcite is the main mineral in the slides. The physico-mechanical tests show that the specific gravity is 2.7, the bulk density is 2.7, the water absorption is 0.02%, the marble's resistance to impact and pressure is 13.67%, the marble's resistance to abrasion is 26.13%, and the marble durability index is 97.39%. The findings indicate that the marble samples exhibit excellent resistance to uniaxial compression and point load, with a durability of 97.49%. The results show that Ranzi Khel marbles are considered quite satisfactory for various applications from a physico-mechanical perspective. The results of the XRF analysis indicate that calcium has the highest proportion among the elements. Besides calcium, Ranzi Khel marbles also contain magnesium, iron, silicon, and aluminum. The findings of this study may contribute to sustainable mining development in Afghanistan in various ways.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Ali S Ali Shah, S.Y., Bin, D., Obaidullah, Hussain, J., Hussain, K., Hadi Hussain, A.A., Rahman, U.A. (2022). Physio-Mechanical Properties and Petrographic Analysis of NikanaiGhar Limestone KPK, Pakistan. Open Journal of Civil Engineering. https://www.scirp.org/journal/paperinformation?paperid=117267.

ASTM C131): Standard Test Method for Resistance to Degradation of Small-Size Coarse Aggregate by Abrasion and Impact in the Los Angeles Machine.

ASTM(D6473): Standard Test Method for Density، Relative Density (Specific Gravity) and Absorption of Coarse Aggregate.

ASTM C-170): Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Dimension Stone.

ASTM (D5731-16): Standard Test Method for Point load strength index of rock.

Azimi, M.I. (2019). Petrographic and physical-mechanical characteristics of Anjirk marbles in Shakardara district, Kabul province. Master's Thesis. Kabul: Polytechnic University. https://www.ajrsp.com/en/Archive/issue-51/4/.

Azimi, M.S., Weyaar, M.F., Shakir, A. (2023). Petrographic properties and physical-mechanical characteristics of Salang marbles located in Parwan province, Afghanistan. Academic Journal of Research and Scientific Publishing. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/372147439.

Badouna, I., Koutsovitis, P., Karkalis, C., Laskaridis, K., Koukouzas, N., Tyrologou, P., Patronis, M., Papatrechas, C., Petrounias, P. (2020) Petrological and Geochemical Properties of Greek Carbonate Stones, Associated with Their Physico-Mechanical and Aesthetic Characteristics. MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/min10060507.

Behzad, H., Amini, M.A., Mohammadi, I.A. (2022). Study of petrographic characteristics and material composition of marble in Kama district, Nangarhar province. Academic journal of Jawzjan University.

Behzad, M. (2018). Physical-mechanical characteristics and material composition of marble and alabaster in the Mullah Rum area, Punjab district, Bamyan province, Master's Thesis. Kabul Polytechnic University.

Brilli, M., Lapuente Mercadal, M.P., Giustini, F., Royo Plumed H. (2018). Petrography and mineralogy of the white marble and black stone of Göktepe (Muğla, Turkey) used in Antiquity. Journal of Archaeological Science. https://doi.org/10.1016/J.JASREP.2018.03.037

Emami, S.M.A., Soleimani, P.F., Akbari. M. (2014). Comparison and investigation of the structure of marble vessels from Jiroft and Shahr Sokhteh regions based on XRD-XRF petrography and laboratory studies. University of Isfahan.

https://jarcs.ut.ac.ir/article_57741_en.html?lang=fa.

Javid, H., Jiaming Zhang, J., Lina. X., Hussain, K., Syed Yasir Ali Shah, S.Y., Sajid Ali, S., Hussain, A. (2022). Resource Assessment of Limestone Based on Engineering and Petrographic Analysis. Civil Engineering Journal. https://www.civilejournal.org/index.php/cej/article/view/3299.

Khpalwak, A.K. (2016). Research on Marble Mines in Maidan Wardak Province and Its Economic Importance. Master's Thesis. Kabul Polytechnic University.

Ishraqi, S.M.A, (1993). Literary research methods and writing theses and articles. Saeed Publications.

Ivanovna, S., Shtel’makh (2020). Determination of F, S(total), and Cl in the Calcite Rich Limestone and Marbles by WD-XRF Spectrometry. Journal of Geological Resource and Engineering. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/347829480.

Mohammadi, E.A., Aliyawar, M.F., Jalali, R. (2024). Estimating the Mechanical Properties of Marble via the Non-Destructive Method. International Journal of Innovative Science and Research Technology. https://www.ijisrt.com/estimating-the-mechanical-properties-of-marble-via-the-nondestructive-method.

Musazai, A.M. (2017). Fundamentals of Petrography. Ministry of Higher Education.

Musazai, A.M., Sahak, N. (2019). Magmatism and Endogenous Metallurgy of Afghanistan. Ministry of Higher Education Publications.

Nik, S.M. (1984). Physical-mechanical and petrographic characteristics of some Afghan marbles. Scientific Journal of Kabul Polytechnic University.

Firoz, N.M. (1357). Regional Geology of Afghanistan. Kabul Polytechnic Publishing House.

Official website of the Ministry of Mines and Petroleum. http://mom.gov/af

Pajhwok News Agency, Mines Special Page. http://mines.pajhwok.com.

Rafi, M.R., Omary, S., Faqiri, A., Ghorbel, E. (2024). Recycling marble waste from Afghan mining site as a replacement for cement and sand. Buildings, 15, 164. https://doi.org/10.3390/buildings15020164.

Sahak, N. (2012). Economic Geology 1. Ministry of Higher Education Publications.

Sahak, N. (2012). Economic Geology 2. Ministry of Higher Education Publications.

Hamidullah Waizy, Shnizai, Z., Omid, W., Ahmadi, R., Naing, T.T. (2025). A multi-method approach to the investigation of Kunar marble deposits, Eastern Afghanistan. Moscow University Geological Bulletin. 80, 456–475 (2025). https://doi.org/10.3103/S0145875225700607.

Zia, M.K. (2019). On the geological-petrographic characteristics and determination of physical-mechanical properties of black decorative marbles of Gazak, Khak Jabbar district, Kabul province. Master's Thesis. Kabul Polytechnic University