Comparison of petrographic characteristics and chemical composition of Poz-eWazirabad and Qachandara limestone mine of Samangan province

limestone is one of the sedimentary rocks and one of the most extended materials of this group which is widely used for production of cement, glasswork industries, tile making and heat resistance. Therefore, a research experiment was conducted in 2020 at of Poz-E- Wazirabad and Qachandara of Samangan province in Afghanistan to compare the similarity and the differences of petrographic characteristics and chemical composition of limestone in both mines. The samples were taken from both the mines for spectrometric analyses at directorate of laboratories of ministry of mining. Besides, the slides were prepared from these samples and the mineral composition, structure and texture characteristics were studied under petrographic microscope in laboratory of Geology and Mines of Kabul Polytechnic University. The main objectives of this study were to know the similarities and differences in petrographic characteristics and chemical composition of both mines, which in case of more similarities and favorability of Qachandara limestone mine; it would be suggested as a good source for establishment of a cement factory and other dependent industries on limestone in this province. The results indicated a lot of similarities with minor differences in both the mines. The minor differences were the amount of calcium oxides which was 52.54% in Poz-E-Wazirabad which was reduced in Qachandara mine to 47.81%. The magnesium content of Qachandara limestone was about 4% richer than Poz-E-Wazirabad limestone mine. The Poz-E-Wazirabad limestone was white in color while the Qachandara limestone color was gray to black, which shows the existence of organic matter in composition of this mine. The structure of limestone in Wazirabad mine was biomorphic but the limestone structure in Qachandara mine was oolitic.