Huge mineral deposits uncovered in Tibet

The China Geological Survey (CGS) announced on Monday the discovery of huge mineral deposits on the Qinghai-Tibet plateau. The announcement came on the heels of a 7-year survey that cost 340 million yuan (about 33.7 million euros).

Zhang Hongtao, Deputy Director General of CGS said that there were over 600 mineral "fields" or "spots" of copper, iron, lead, zinc and other metal ores. China Daily reports that CGS experts estimate that the plateau has reserves of several billion tons of iron ore, 30-40 million tons of copper plus 40 million tons of lead and zinc.

The first geological survey of the Qinghai-Tibet plateau, located at an average altitude of 4,300 meters, was conducted by more than 1,000 staff working in 24 teams. Because of harsh conditions, the geologists were unable to survey the whole area, with more than half of the plateau's 2.6 million square kilometers still unsurveyed, the lead geologist, Zhuang Yuxun said.

Zhang said that the CGS will speed up the surveying process to more accurately locate the mineral deposits. One of the biggest potential reserves is an estimated 500 million tons of rich iron ore in the Nixiong area, China Daily said.

Zhang said that developing the mines would ease the strain on China's existing resources. He suggested a careful development of the area, "with natural restoration plans drawn up before industrial exploitation begins."

CRI Nordic also quoted Zhang as saying that China's policy is to protect minerals rather than exploiting them.

According to BBC, much of the area's mineral reserves were once out of reach because of the plateau's location. The opening of the Qinghai-Tibet Railway last July is believed to make transportation easier, the BBC said.