Major mineral reserves in Tibet include about 5,000 tonnes of silver, 10 million tonnes of lead and zinc and 400 million tonnes of iron ore. Three iron ore reserves were discovered in the Tibetan plateau in late 2005, with estimated reserves of more than 100 million tonnes.
Besides, copper deposits were found in Yulong Township, Jomda County, Qamdo Prefecture, which has an estimated 6.5 million tonnes of copper ore reserves. This is considered to be China's largest, and the second largest in Asia. For copper-deficient China, Yulong deposits are like manna from heaven.
Another important mining site is located at Xietongmen near Xigaze, known for its high-grade copper and gold. A British firm, Continental Minerals, has a more than 50 percent stake in this mining project in Tibet. A Canadian firm Gobimin Inc acquired about 30 percent equity interest in the Tibet Dazi Puxiong Copper Company Limited, which owns the exploration license of the Malonglang Copper-Zinc project in Dazi County.
Oil reserves in Tibet are estimated at about 10 billion tonnes. It is also estimated that about 3,000 tonnes of fresh and mineral water would be supplied by 50 rail wagons from Damxung county each day to the rest of China. The railway would open up timber and other resources to further exploitation. An estimated 3 million tonnes of cargo is expected to be carried by the Tibetan railway by 2010.
Image: The spread of consumerist culture has started taking its toll on Tibetan children, seen here indulging in a smoke. Alcoholic beverages and all forms of narcotics are now cheaply available. Karaoke bars which double up as pick up places for prostitutes are also mushrooming across Tibetan cities.
Earlier Slide Show: Himalayan business pass
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