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DP/UN/BUR.72.002/9 BURMA

. GEOLOGI[;i\L SURVEY AND EXPLORflTION

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UNITED NATIONS

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j ~I 'I r..t ,~.( J 1 II i ,I :1 DP/UN/BUR-72-002/9 I I United Nations Development Programme I GEOLOGICAL SURVEY AND EXPLORATION I I I BURMA

I Project findings and recommendations I I Prepared for the Government of The Socialist Republic of the Union of Burma by the United Nations acting as executing agency for I the United Nations Development Programme I I I I

UNITED NATIONS I New York, 1978 I I , tom vr-- --~_~ i,', r~'''':'::'''' IJ I .1 II II Notes ~ II Abbreviations used: II DGSE Department of Geological Survey and Exploration

E.M. Electromagnetic II LP. Induced polarization I I I ppm parts per million II II

As of 1 February 1978, the rate of exchange was 7.11 Kyats to the US dollar. II II The designations employed and the presentation of material in this report do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Secretariat of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city II or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. II II II DP/UN/BUR-72-002/9 II I I I ~I It I

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~I 11 I. "! i II II PREFACE II This report 0.1 the findings and recommendations of the project "Geological Survey and Exploration" in Burma covers the work of a team of Burmese and international experts under the direction of J.V. Huhta, United Nations Project Manager, and U Kyi Soe, Government II Project Co-Director. II I! I

II ABSTRACT

From January 1974 to June 1978 the Government of Burma, in co~operation with the II United Nations and assisted by the UNDP, undertook a programme of regional geochemical exploration geologic mapping, follow-up investigation of anomalies, training and laboratory support fo the Department of Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration, II More than 45,000 sq km were surveyed, 17 targets identified and investigated in detail and three prospects drilled to determine type and extent of copper mineralization, Geologic mapping led to major changes in an understanding of the structural geology II of Burma. Two programmes of follow-up mineral exploration are recommended, II II II II II I R I, tl Il I i 111 1 - iU -

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11 Contents I!i Paragraphs Pages II PREFACE •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• t Hi

ABSTRACT • 0 •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• t •••••••••••••• Hi II 1 - 8 1 INTRODUCTION ...... "., .... 1 I I Project background . - 4 1 Financial contributions ...... •....••...... 5 1

Objectives , I) •••• 6 - 7 1 II Project documentation ...... •...... 8 2 I. PROJECT ACTIVITIES ••.•••••••••••.••••••••••.••.•••••••• 9 - 27 3 I I A. Regional geochemica1 exploration ••••••••••••••••••• 9 -11 3 B. Regional geologic mapping .••••••••••••••••••••••.•• 12 - 14 3 II C. Follow-up investigations •••••••••••• ' ••••••••.••••• 15 - 16 3 (a) Topographic mapping .••••.•••••••••••.••••••.•• " 3 II (b) Geologic mapping .••.•••••.••••••••••••••••.••• " 4 (c) Geochemica1 investigations •••••••••••.•••••.•• " 4 (d) Geophysical investigations ..•••••••.•••••••••• " 4 II (e) Diamond drilling .••.•••••••••••••••••••.•••••• " 4 D. Laboratory support, data handling and drafting ••••• 17 - 21 5 II E. Training " " ...... •.. ,, .. 22 - 24 5 F. Assistance to the project"Pre-investment Drilling and Training Project" (BUR-72-001) •••••••.••••.•••• 25 - 27 5 II n. MAIN RESULTS . , . 28 - 122 7 II A. Regional geologic mapping •••••••••••••••••••••••••• 28 48 7 1. Eastern llighlands . 29 - 33 7 II 2. Central Lowlands ••••••••••••••••••.•••••••••.•• 34 - 37 7 3. Indoburman Ranges . 38 - 39 9 4. Upper Irrawaddy Province .••••••••••••••.••••.•• 40 9 1I

5. Major faults e- •••••••••••••••••• 41 - 44 9 6. Regional implications •••••••••••• , ••.•.•••••••• 45 - 48 9 1I II - iv - II [I 11

II fj Contents (continued) Paragraph9 Pages , 1 B. Regional geochemical exploration ••••••••••••••••••••••••• 49 - 51 10 1. Pinlebu-Banmauk area . " 10 2. Shan Scarps area . " 10 III 3. Salingyi-Shinmataung area ••••••••••••••.••••••••••••• 11 10

4. Chin Hills area " t •• " 11 II 5. Southern Chin Hills •••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• " 11 6. Arakan Yoma ...... •.....•...... •...... •.....• " 11 Follow-u~ C. investigations • •••• g •••••••••••• " •••• , ••••••• , 52 - 122 11 II 1. Pinlebu-Banmauk area (G-area) •••••••••••••••••••••••• 54 - 80 11

2. G-area extension , t , ••••••••••• 81 - 98 13

I I 3. Shan Scarps (I-area) t •••••••••••• 99 - 109 14 4. Chin Hills (F-area) ••••••••••••••.•••••••.•••.••••..• 110 - 111 15 II 5. Arakan Yama (E-area) ,. 112- 113 15 6. Letpadaung Taung, Monywa ••••••••••••••••••••••••••••• 114 - 122 15 II Ill. ASSESSMENT ••••••••••••••••••••••••• , ••••••••••••••••••••••••• 123 - 139 17 A. Regional surveys "., " .. 125 - 128 17 B. Follow-up tnvest Igatf.ons .••••••••••••••••••••••••••.. 129 - 131 17 I I C. Fellowship study and training •••••••••••••••••••••••• 132 - 136 18 D. Administrative matters •••••.••••••••••••••••••••••••• 137 - 139 18

I I IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS •••••••••••••.•••.•••••••••••. 140 .. 148 19

II Annexes 1. List of project reports ...... , . 20 I I 2. Project personnel ...... 21 3. United Nations fellowship awards ••••••.•••••••••.••.• 23 I I 4. Major items of equipment provided by UNDP •••••••••.•. 24 Tables

II 1. Summary of project activities 2 2. Diamond drilling in Letpadaung Taung, April 1977 to II ~la.rch 1978 . 4 II Figures 1. Location of project field areas •••••••••••••••••••••. vi 2. Geology and metal provinces of Burma ••••••••••••••••• 8

II 3. Letpadaung Taung r» ••••••••••••• ,,, 16 II

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26 NDIA II II • FOLLOW-UP AREA CHINA 1 - Kame 83 0/8 II 2 - Khedwin 83 PI11

<, 3 - Mainghton -East 83 P/12 II :::J: . ~ "\ ' 4 - Sogyin 83 P/12 00YoI .l ~'" 22 'r' II 5 Kyoukpazot 83 P/16 ~ I C) , !r.J ~ 6 - Sadwin 83 P/I6 I I 7 .• Budaung Forest 84 M/13 8 - Shongalon 84 M/IO I I 9 - Monsl 84 PI 10 10 - Tagaung Toung 93 A/2 II 11 - Pyattawye 93 C/6

18° 12 - Lebyln 93 0/6 II

13 - Tomogyi Choung 93 0/6 Z II 14 - Megon 93 0/8 "..... 'V 15 - Webula 84 E/16 16° '/I' II 16 - Loemyethna 85 K/14 N 0 r' C' 17 - Letpodoung Toung 84 N/4 ~4 \ ' II If! \ ~ 0 \ Z 14 Tovoy , o \ o II I c:::JArea of regional investigation~ ( ( Total 46,740 se- Km ) oMergu~ I I \ 12° , II I / 0 80 160mUel / LOCATION OF PROJECT ! , ! , , ( II 100 200 kilometres I FIELD AREAS 0 10 II

0 0 Fill -1 92° 94 96 II - vi - I, I 1. c•• D·w II II t, I INTRODUCTION II Project background $US 1,410,400 to $US 1,948,880; the Government contribution in cash was Kyats 1,729,000 and 1. The Government of th~ Socialist Republic services in kind were estimated at Kyats II of the Union of Burma requested in June 1972 the 5,613,250. Owing to the financial crisis in 1976 assistance of the United Nations Development the UNDP contribution was cut to $US 1,888,752 Programme (UNDP) to support the recently formed (as of April 1977). The United Nations acted as Directorate of Geological Survey and Exploration executing agency for the UNDP. II (DGSE), now the Department of Geological Survey and Mineral Exploration of the Ministry of Mines. Objectives Responsibility for geologic mapping and miueral II exploration was transferred to the DGSE from the Development objective former Mineral Development Corporation. The UNDP assistance was needed owing to the shortage of 6. The development objective of the project experienced personnel, of expertise in various was to increase the matallic mineral production II specialized fields, and almost complete lack of of Burma, which had greatly declined; minerals modern equipment and spare parts. were required not only for export to generate foreign exchange earnings, but also for domestic II 2. The request was approved by the Governing use to create new employment and provide raw Council of the United Nations Development Pro­ material for existing or new industries. This gramme in August 1973, the project document objective was to be reached by assisting the signed on 2 November 1973 and the project, co-operating agency DGSE in basic geologic mapping II entitled "Geological Survey and Exploration" and modern exploration techniques, and training (BUR-72-002) became operational in January 1974. the Burmese staff in these aspects. Owing to delays in expert appointment and arrival II of equipment the systematic field work started Immediate objective only in Oct ober :.974. A revised project document was approved in June 1975 to include additional 7. The main objective, strengthening the activities for strengthening the laboratory and Department's overall capability as a national II library facilities of the DGSE. The Project was geologic sULvey institute, was achieved through originally planned for three and half years, but the following project activities: it was later extended to June 1978. II (a) Introducing extensive regional 3. Before the field work started it became geologic mapping and geochemical exploration which obvious that some major areas included in tht at the end of the project had covered 46,740 sq km original project document had insufficient of Burma; II security and substitutions were necessary. Unfortunately many of the new areas had much (b) Carrying out integrated detailed lower mineral potential than the original ones, investigations of 17 follow-up targets by II for example the replacement of the Tenasserim utilizing all applicable modern exploration Region by Chin Hills-Arakan Yoma. techniques such as geochemical methods, electric, magnetic and radioactive geophysical surveys, 4. In addition to the above activities the diamond drilling, chemical laboratory support and II project was responsible for the geologic control computer-based data handling and storage; and administration for the project"Pre-investment Drilling and Training" (BUR-72-001) which was (c) Improving instrumentation, imparting II completed on 31 December 1977. From 1 January the latest know-how in mineralogical, chemical and 1978 the BUR-72-001 drilling programme at geoch~mical laboratory techniques, assisting in Letpadaung Taung and eqaipment were the res­ airborne geophysical surveys, and establishing a ponsibility of the present project. research library sufficient to support field II studies. Financial contributions Table 1 summarizes project activities through 5. In the revised project document of 1 June April 1978; the location of specific project areas II 1975 the UNDP allocation was increased from is shown in figure 1. II It I j". "* r~- ... ·r .....

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r'1 1\ I Project documentation staff and supported by a large number of maps, laboratory information and other illustrative 8. The maj~r activities of the project will material. This information and collected stream­ II be presented in six technical reporty, one sediment, rock and soil samples were deposited memorandum and one special report listed in with the DOSE. The large amount of geochemical Annex 1. Much data ia stored in project progress data were put into machine-readable form and are reports, internal reports, technical memoranda, stored on magnetic tapes with the Universities II and field instructions prepared by the project Computer Centre in Rangoon. II II II Table 1. Summary of project activities (~hrough April 1978) II

Regional geologic mapping and 46,740 sq tan II geochemical reconnaissance Stream sediments (number of samples) 19,380 II Petrographic examinations 425 Age determinations: K/Ar 16 II Lead isotope 10 Pa1eonto1ogic 42 II Follow-up targets 17 Soil samples 5,560 II Topographic survey 289.2 line tan II Geophysical survey: I.P. 12,169 stations Resistivity 14,673 stations II S.P. 5,741 stations Turam 4,704 s tations II Magnetic 11,937 stations Radiometric 12,138 stations II

Samples analyzed, average 8 elements 30,346 per sample (core samples included) II Diamond drilling: Letpadaung Taung 9,696.0 m (31,813 feet) Shangalon 2,677.5 m (8,785 feet) II Lebyin 520.3 m (1,707 feet) II

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:-=-;-:c-~II ta 11 ).. ..ill: i I1I ips, Lve Itream­ II Lted !lieal id are :ies II II I. PROJECT ACTIVITIES II A. Regional geochemical exploration 9. The purpose of regional geochemical sam­ assigned responsibility in the field for geologic pling was to help decide which parts of a large mapping of a given area; however, extensive II investigated area had the best mineral potential amounts of mapping and geologi~ observations ~~re and which parts could be eliminated as relatively done by other supervising and traverse geologists unfavourable. The most promising areas were whose additional duty was to complete the then surveyed in more detail to determine whether geochemica1 sampling. II an intensive follow-up exploration programme was required. In only exceptional cases will a 13. Photogeo10gic interpretation formed an regional geochemical survey precisel.y locate important part of the geologic mapping although II specific mineralization; its main purpose is to the regional photogeologic mapping programme was indicate zones of higher mineral potential that cancelled. The aerial photographs used by the should be covered by further exploration. Project were mainly on an approximate scale of 1:50,000 although in some selected areas 1:20,000­ II 10. The geochemical sampling and geologic scale photographs were available. Stereoscopic mapping, which was based on 1 inch to 1 mile photo-interpretation and compilation on the base (scale 1:63,360) topoGraphic maps, were done maps was done by the project mapping geologists. II simultaneously using the same field teams. The Landsat ilnages were commonly used to identify sampling density ranged from 0.4 to 0.8 samples major features supporting the photogeologic per square kilometre in areas of interesting mapping. geology to one sample per seven square kilometres II i~ areas of non-favourable geology or alluvial 14. In the field the geology was mapped on a plains. scale 1 inch to 1 mile but the final maps were drawn at scales of 1:100,000 or 1 inch to 4 miles 11. The fine-grained non-organic silt collected (1:253,440) depending on the complexity of geology II from mid-stream of creeks or from small :I.slands and intensity of mapping. in bigger streams or rivers was used as sampling material. This material is considered to give C. Follow-up investigations II the best representative information of the up­ stream geochemistry. Float and bedrock geology, 15. The regional survey was followed by semi- pH conditions and characteristics of collectec detailed or detailed investigations of areas where material were noted in the field and the sites geochemical. anomalies, promising geology, II plotted on 1 inch to 1 mile scale topographic preViously known mineralization, mining or pros­ maps. The dried samples were sieved through pecting activities were found. The normal proce­ 80-mesh and sent to Rangoon for routine analysis dure in the semi-detailed survey was to collect II of copper, lead, zinc, silver and molybdenum. additional stream sediment, base of slope, bank Additional elements were analyzed depending on or random soil samples, and to elaborate geologic geology and expected mineralization. The mapping. Only in exceptional cases were any analytical results were presented and the geophysical methods used either in semi-detailed II anomalies outlined on the base maps of the same or regional work. scale as the regional geology. 16. An integrated follow-up survey was next II B. Regional geQlogic mapping done in the areas where the results were still encouraging. In a normal sequence it included all 12. Simultaneous regional geologic mapping or part of the combined methods described below. and geochemical exploration proved to be The programme was stopped at any level if the II efficient and is recommended for use in other results wer not encouraging enough to justify areas with similar logistics, physiographic and further p.ctivity. geologic conditions. The mapping, closely II supervised by the Project Chief Geologist, was (a) !ppographic mapping: The areas selected done by Burmese teams of two to four geologists for follow-up studies were first topographically II ,er map sheet (700 sq km). A geologist was surveyed to prepare a base map sufficientlydetaited - 3 - II i ~

II D. Labora for presentation of all exploration results. Magnetic measurements and radiometric survey The survey was based on a grid line system: were used to differentiate rock types, and to lines were normally cut 100-200 m apart; they define geologic contacts and tectonic lines in (a) Laborator were topographica11y surveyed and landmark the areas of poor rock exposure. The radiometric II features between the lines were either measured method was also used to determine if any 17. All anal or estimated; air photograpxs were also used to anomalies were due to potassic alteration in geochemical 1abo support the mapping. The final maps were drawn porphyry systems. II oratory was assi on scales from 1:1,000 to 1:10,000 and results provided equipme of different methods presented on identical base ica1s, supervisi maps. The e1ectL~ca1 self-potential (S.P.) survey II studies abroad. was performed as a prelude to an induced done in Rangoon (b) Geologic mappin&: In detailed polarization (I.P.) survey which was used as the Atomic Absorpt investigations the geologic mapping formed the major method to detect sulphide mineralization. was organized an basis of an integrated programme that included Simultaneous resistivity measurements helped in II to handle the la geochemica1 and geophysical methods, and diamond finding large conducting deposits or alteration soil samples fro drilling. It was done along the same grid lines zones, calculating thickness of residual soil as topographic and other surveys, but all outcrops cover and locating buried gravel deposits. II 18. Copper, in between were also mapped and their locations Electromagnetic (E.M.) Turam surveys were carried gold determinati measured and estimated. Wherever applicable the out to detect highly conductive massive sulphide absorption, merc mapping included: (i) lithol.ogy, (H) structure, zones or veins. molybdenum by co (iii) alteration and mineralization, (iv) possible II Gutzeit co10rime oxidation, (v) leached capping geology and were ana1yzed fo (vi) morphologic features. Residual and alluvial (e) Diamond drilling: The original Sb, Ga, Cr, Ba, floats were also used to support the mapping. drilling capacity of the project was only two II Ni, La, Co, B, P To illustrate interpretation as compared to units; one Boy1es BBS-15 (capacity 400 m) and using semi-quant actual observations all outcrops or observation one Winkie GW-15 (capacity 50 m). However, as points were marked on the geologic maps. this was not enough to complete the large 19 • The reli shanga10n drilling programme, an additional BBS-15 II was checked by b (c) Geochemica1 investigations; Normal rig was obtained from the BUR-71-516 project. A commercial 1abor soil was the most common sampling material in new BBS-25 machine (capacity 700 m) was delivered analyses of dup1 follow-up geochemistry, although heavy-mineral to the project at the end of 1977 and was II the results are fractions, stream sediments, rocks, and bank subsequently used at Letpadaung Taung together reproductibi1ity crest or base-oi-s10pe soils were occasionally with the three Sprague and Henwood 142C machines, satisfactory for used to support the standard soil sampling. In which were transferred to the project at the end Petrological and most cases, the soils were collected along the of December 1977 from the project "Pre-investment II the DGSE were us grid lines from a depth of about 15-30 cm, except Drilling and Training" (BUR-72-001). section and mine in areas of contamination, where deeper sampling was used. The samples were analyzed either for (b) Data hand1i the rueta1s sought in each area or for some After completion of the Shanga10n drilling II Jathfinder elements if easier to ana1yze, or in May 1977, the BBS-15 machines were moved to 20. The geoc geochemica11y more suitable. The analytical datd stibnite minera1izations at Lebyin and the Winkie, statistically ei were statistically treated and different anomaly equipped with a reduction gear, was sent to test II or, in the case levels calculated and contoured on the maps. gold-bearing gravel deposits at Mansi. and when a large Trenches and pits were often sunk into selected involved, by mor anomaly peaks and systematically channe1- or ment. In both c chip-sampled to try to locate the actual anomaly The six larger machines are equipped with II of elements was sources. the wire1ine system which was used throughout, logarithmic pro except in Lebyin where conventional drilling was distribution in (d) Geophysical investigations: The project used owing to an extremely hard host rock of II was assumed to was well equipped witb various kinds of modern si1iciHed breccia. Table 2 describes some straight-line p geophysical instrumentation, and combined drilling statistics of Letpadaung Taung for the values causes a geophysical methods were used in most follow-up year April 1977 through March 1978. otherwise strai surveys. II inflexion point Table 2. Diamond drilling in Letpadaung Taung, April 1977 to March 1978 threshold and t Drilling performance ing to standard II in regional sur Average per bit Drilling Average per anomaly levels Drilling (feet) (feet) (feet) bit (feet) final geochemic tion was punche Rotary 1269 80 Total drilling 16336 ... II magnetic tape. NWL 6594 77 Total sa!aries and wages SUS 35,737 ($US 1. 00 = BWL 5463 68 Kyats 7.11) 21. Geophys AWL 3010 15,067 70 Fuel, oil and lubricants SUS 4,595 II the field to a Reaming shells 180 and presented a

- 4 - II " D. Laboratory ~upport. data handling electrical depth soundings. Interpretation of and drafting all data was done by standard methods, and some data were selected for a trj.al-and-error inter­ (a) Laboratory su.pport preta~ion method. Results of interpretation (position, size and shape of anomaly sources) 17. All analytical work was done by the were plotted on the maps or profiles, together geochemical laboratory of the DGSE. The lab­ with combined data from more than one method, oratory was assisted by the project which where useful. Drafting work was done by 4 drafts­ provided equipment, laboratory supplips, chem­ men who were seconded to the project from the icals, supervision, local training aud fellowship DGSE. studies abroad. The analyses were originally done in Rangoon but in October 1977 a second E. Training Atomic Absorption Spectrograph (AAS) laboratory was organized and equipped in Letpadaung Taung 22. Implementation of the followship component to handle the large number of core, rock and was unsatisfactory and fell much behind schedule. soil samples from the area. Out of the 128 allocated man-months only 59 were utilized, as of April 1978, and five study pro­ 18. Copper, lead, zinc, antimony, silver and grammes were yet to start. The main reasons for gold determinations were carried out by atomic the delay were; the Government's decision, after absorption, mercury by MAS-50 Mercury Analyser, many programmes had already been arranged, not to molybdenum by colorimetric and arsenic by the accept university training courses but only Gutzeit colorimetric method. Selected samples "practical" ones; failures by the candidates to were analyzed for 25 trace elements (Au, As, Mn, pass the exceptionally strict Australian language Sb, Ga, Cr, Ba, Ti, Ag, Nb, Mo, Y, Cd, Sc, Zr, test; the inflexibility of rules and regulations Ni, La, Co, B, Pb, Sn, W, Bi, Be, and Cu) by to change programme, study country or schedule; using semi-quantitative spectrographic scanning. and difficulties in finding suitable study courses in acceptable countries. 19. The reliability of the analytical results was checked by both the DGSE Laboratory and a 23. By contrast, the completed fellowship commercial laboratory abroad. Statistical studies were successful. After finishing the analyses of duplicate determinations showed that courses the fellows returned to the DGSE, or to the results are sufficiently accurate and the the project, and their contribution to the reproductibility of the analytical data j.s quite project, and their contribution to the project satisfactory for exploration purposes. The was of great importance and of high professional Petrological and Mineralogical Laboratories of standard. the DGSE were used for thin section, polished section and mineralogical studies. 24. Local training continued throughout the project. During the monsoon seasons (June ­ (b) Data handling and drafting October) the experts gave lectures and courses in various subjects of economic geology, geochemistry 20. The geochemical data were treated and geophysics. On-the-job training during field statistically either by simple graphical methods work was the most important part of the training. or, in the case of regional geochemical surveys Emphasis was laid on teaching the national and when a large amount of soil analyses were professional personnel to organize and execute involved, by more sophisticated computer treat­ with minimum supervision a full exploration ment. In both cases the cumulative distribution sequence from regional geologic-geochemical survey of elements was calculated and plotted on to diamond drilling and ore-reserve calculations. logarithmic probability paper. The trace element distribution in areas of non-mineralized geology F. Assistance to the project"Pre-investment was assumed to be log-normal and yielded a Drilling and Tr.aining"(BUR-72-00l) straight-line plot. Any excess of anomalous values causes a positive skewness of the 25. The original target areas which were otherwise straight frequency line; this allocated to the project"Pre-investment Drilling inflexion point was normally selected as a and Training" (BUR-72-00l) were found to be threshold and the anomaly steps were set accord­ unsuitable for various reasons, and the present ing to standard deviations. The anomalous zones project was, in early 1974, requested to study in regional survey, and contours on selected alternative areas for the drilling programme. anomaly levels in detailed work, were plotted on Consequently it was found that the Letpadaung final geochemical maps. All geochemical informa­ Taung (Monywa) porphyry copper prospect was the tion was punched on IBM cards and stored on most suitable and the area was recommended and magnetic tape. accepted by the' Tripartite review in June 1974 as the only target for the proposed drilling 21. Geophysical field data were reduced in project. the field to a format suitable for interpretation, and presented as profiles, maps of isolines and 26. Before the project BUR-72-00l became

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operational the present project performed 27. After the drilling project ended at the II geophysical and geochemica1 surveys in Letpadaung end of December 1977 the present project took Taung to outline the proposed drilling area and over operational and financial control of the prepare the drilling programme. At the s&ne Letpadaung Taung work. The technical details of III time the project supervised the camp building the work are summarized later in this report. and took care of delivery and storage of arriving I equipment. II 1\ \i I ,! II I I I I II 28. R over 46,7 II combined I and Lands geologist changes i II of metall defined a summarize II ing the g for some II 1. Easte 29. T 2) compri II and Mergu cambrian gold depo quartzite II Cambrian iform vo1 the Bawdw II including zinc-bary into sha1 Carbonife II pebbly mu Upper Bur tin-beari II "Plateau including in the Sh mab1y on II major unc

30. margin of II metamorph gneiss, II 3l. Plateau continuo fluorite II in Malay

32. II granitic and Carb II p1utons,

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_-1._,... 11 !. 'j"I ., I I , ') t I I :1 I III i II I I II. MAIN RESULTS

I I A. Regional Geologic Mapping mostly unmineralized. Tungsten and tin deposits are mostly associated with granite of Falaeocene 28. Results of the regional geologic mapping age intruding Carboniferous host rocks; within over 46,740 sq kn are described below. When the Project Area this granite is possibly I I combined with ear'Ld.er information on the geology genetically related to a major belt of eastward­ and Landsat and photo-interpretation by Project directed thrusts in the Shan Scarps zone to the geologists, these results led to fundamental east. Minor alluvial gold is derived from diorite changes in the structural map and new concepts intruding the Jurassic rocks, and stibnite II of metallogenesis in Burma. The structural belts mineralization within Jurassic carbonaceous defined as a result of this work are here mudstone is possibly related to the same intrusions. summarized to provide a framework for understand­ I I ing the geology and also the regional setting 33, The Tenasserim Ranges and Mergui Shelf for some of the mineral deposits (figure 2). consist largely of Carboniferous to Lower Permian greywacke and mudstone, overlain by the 'Plateau I I 1. Eastern Highlands Limestone' locally preserved in synclines, Tin and tungsten~bearing plutons are continuous with 29. The Eastern Highlands (EH Belt of figure those of the western margin of the Plateau to 2) comprise the Shan Plateau, Tenasserim Ranges north and peninsular Thailand to the south. I I and Mergui Shelf. In the Shan Plateau, Pre­ cambrian greywackes, from which minor placer 2, Central Lowlands gold deposits are derived, are overlain by local quartzite and silicic (acidic) volcanic rocks of (a) Western and Eastern Troughs II Cambrian age which include the possibly strat­ iform volcanogenic lead-zinc-silver deposits of 34. The Western Trough consists of a synclinal the Bawdwin Mine. Thick carbonates and shale, succession of Upper Cretaceous to Eocene marine III including small but numerous deposits of lead­ and non-marine locally coal-bearing sediments up zinc-barytes stratabound in limestone, pass up to 10,000 m thick, overlain by a thick Oligocene into shale, quartzite and carbonates. Thick to Pliocene succession in which the oil and gas II Carboniferous to Lower Permian greywacke and fields occur. The younger sediments extend into pebbly mudstone described for the first time in the Eastern Trough as a non-mar1ne succession. Upper Burma, are the host rocks to all the later tin-bearing granites; they are overlain by the II "Plateau Limestone". Late Mesozoic sediments (b) Volcanic Arc including coal and volcanic rocks are preserved in the Shan Scarps thrust zone and lie unconfor­ 35. The Volcanic Arc is defined by the Late mably on older rocks; they are overlain with a Cenozoic volcanoes of Mr, Popa, the Monywa II major unconformity by red conglomerate. craters, and Taungtholon, Older volcanic and plutonic rocks are present at Mt, Loimye, in the 30. In the Mogok Belt along the Western Pinlebu-Banmauk area, near Monywa, and 1n the margin of the Plateau, pre-Mesozoic rocks were Salingyi-Sh1nmataung area, In the Pinlebu­ II metamorphosed to schist, banded gneiss, augen Banmauk area sedimentary rocks are overlain by gneiss, quartzite and marble. submarine andesite, local dac1te and thick clastic sediments and intruded by a batho11th of II 31. Granite in the .eastern part of the an early Late Cretaceous age, Overlying sediments f Plateau is probably of Upper Triassic age, are locally intruded by Oligocene plutons and continuous with that containing tin, wolfram and overlain by the 011gocene to Miocene succession of fluorite in northern Thailand and the Main Range the Western and Eastern Troughs, In the Sa11ngyi­ I I in Malaysia. Sh1nmataung area, pillow lavas overly1ng buried metamorphic basement are intruded by mid­ 32. Along the western margin of the Highlands, Cretaceous granite, diorite and gabbro. The I I granitic pIutons intrude the metamorphic rocks mapp1ng here and in the P1nlebu-Banmauk area and Carboniferous sediments to the east. Foliabed clearly demonstrates for the first time the II!I plutons, restricted to the metamorphic belt, are presence of a major volcanic arc in Burma - 7 - III .. -..._"...... _....,.~. "" _,." .•>'-_.... ~MI:...._._ .•__ ~•.. ~••• - \

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_.f throughout the Cretaceous. Porphyry-type copper indicating overthrusting to the east. The Kumon mineralization at Shangalon in the Pinlebu­ Range consists of Upper Cretaceous to Lower Banmauk area is of probable Late Cretaceous age, Tertiary clastic sediments. In the Tagaung­ I. appreciably older than the major porphyry Myitkyina Belt meta-sedimentary rocks, overlain deposits of Pliocene age at Monyvla. Small placer by mid-Cretaceous limestone with associated gold deposits are derived from plutons of Mid­ serpentinite sills, are intruded by plutons and II Cretaceous age and younger, and from Tertiary probably overlain locally by volcanic rock. , conglomerate. Boulders of jadeite are mined from conglomerate of late Tertiary age. 5. Major faults

II (c) Jade Mines Belt 41. Keng Thrust; Mapping in the Indoburman Ranges (IBR BELT of figure 2) shows that a 1 36. This uplifted block comprises meta- westward directed over-thrust forms the boundary 1I sedimentary rocks with local glaucophane schist between the Eastern and Western Belts of the and jadeite dykes, overlain by mid-Cretaceous Indoburman Ranges. limestone with serpentinite sills and intruded It I by granitic rock. It continues southwards as a 42. Thrusts in Western Trough: In the western narrow structural belt east of the Pinlebu­ part of the trough, mapping and photo-geologic Baumauk area, and northwards into the Naga interpretation indicates the presence of post­ Metamorphic Complex of the Indoburman Ranges. middle-Eocene westward-directed overthrusts II distributed en echelon, probably with a component (d) Hukawng Basin of strike-slip movement. These thrusts had not been recognized before despite numerous geologic 37. The Hukawng Basin is the northernmost investigations accompanying oil exploration. I' I unit of the Central.Lowlands;exposed rocks are 'molasse' sediments probably of Oligocene­ 43. Shan Scarps Thrusts and High-angle Faults; Pliocene age overlying rocks of Late Cretaceous Mapping in the Shan Scarps, east of the Plateau to Eocene age. margin, indicates a major zone of post-Early II Cretaceous eastward-directed overthrusts forming 3. Indoburman Ranges an imbricate zone more than 150 km long. High­ angle faults of probable Oligocene age cut the II 38. Project Mapping shows that the Indo- earlier Shan Scarps Thrusts. The high-angle burman Ranges (IBR BELT of figure 2) can be faults possibly pass northwards into westward­ divided into an Eastern and Western Belt. The directed overthrusts visible on Landsat imagery. Eastern Belt comprises a thick turbidite II succession of Late Triassic age locally metamor­ 44. Hninzee-Sagaing Fault System: Landsat phosed to biotite schist and greenachf.st, The and geologic interpretation indicates that this succession is tightly folded and includes a is a major rise-thrust intracontinental fault II major east-facing nappe. In the east these system with at least 300 km of post-Oligocene rocks are overlain locally py pillow lavas; Mid­ right-lateral movement. The Hninzee-Sagaing Fault Cretaceous limestone lies unconformably on the continues northward as th£ Mogaung Fault. Triassic rocks and pillow lavas and is itself II overlain by the Western Trough succession. 6. .Regions,l implications

39. The Western Belt comprises Upper 45. A major, not previously recognized, Late II Cretaceous to Eocene turbidite, mudstone and Triassic to Early Jurassic ~rogenic event micritic limestone with major olistostromes and occurred in Burma. The large ultramafic bodies slumps with exotics derived from Triassic and and associated chromite and jadeite deposits are younger rocks to the east. It mostly shows probably of this age, although mid-Cretaceous II broad upright folds but in the western Arakan is serpentinite sills are also present. The earliest isoclinally folded and repeated by thrusts. The metamorphism in and west of the Mogok Belt probably mapping indicates that this belt is underlain by took place during the Early Jurassic, with later I' I rock of Triassic age and perhaps older, and that metamorphism within the Belt during the early contrary to numerous published speculations, the Tertiary. Indoburman Ranges do not :i.nclude tectonically emplaced sediments of the Bengal Fan to the west. 46. The pre-Miocene rocks of the Volcanic Arc II of the Central Lowlands are offset at least 300 km 4. Upper Irrawaddy Province along the Hninzee-Sagaing Fault. Th~ir offset northward continuation beyond Mt. Loimye probably II 40. The Upper Irrawaddy Province (UIP BELT extends through the Tagaung-Myitkyina Belt, which of figure 2) includes the Katha-Gangaw and Kumon should contain rocks favourable for porphyry Ranges and the Tagaung-Myitkyina Belt. The copper, gold, and pyritic stratiform sulphide Katha-'Gangaw Range consf.ses of metamorphic rocks, mineralization. li I mostly schist and interbedded quartzite with minor amphibolite, and showing structures 47. The structural belts defined above can

1I - 9 - , ~, ~ .···e'i'Nlf••uf:2"J·- r~-' ·_"·~··"'''-l'''·-"_·'''-· I I ! I I 1'1 II :; readily be interpreeed in a plate tectonic frame­ These four anomalies (a, b, c and d) were I: \ work, aiding understanding of the revolution of chosen for follow-up work. (Technical Report the politically inaccessible Eastern Himalayas No: 6). and much of western Southeast Asia, and resulting II in significant modifications to structural and (e) Shanga10n Prospect (No: 8, copper­ metallogenic maps of the region. molybdenum anomaly); the most distinctive regional copper anomaly extending over about 130 sq km. II 48. The mapping results in selected areas of Regional copper threshold for igneous environment the Chin and Arakan Hills emphasize the extremely set at 90 ppm was exceeded in Shanga10n by 39 low mineral potential of the entire Indoburman values. Geologic evidence included; hydrothermal a Ranges. The Ranges together with the Western alteration, sulphide showings, (pyrite, cha1copyr­ II Trough and Pegu Yomas, offer little prospect of ite, mo1ybdenite), malachite, copper sulphate economic mineralization other than petroleum and staining and placer gold. (Technical Report an coal. No: 1). II se Ch B. Regional geochemica1 exploration 2. Shan Scarps area (6,250 sq km, 3,000 stream­ ni sediment samples) in 49. The geochemica1 reconnaissance was II 84 carried out simultaneously with the regional (a) Pyittawye (No: 11, lead anomaly); co geologic mapping. The geochemica1 results were sulphide bearing (galena, tennantite) barite useful not only in locating anomalous patterns veins in Ordovician limestone, a favourable host II 5. but also in supporting the geologic mapping in rock for lead sulphides. se the areas of few outcrops and assisting in outlining differnet meta110genic zones. (b) Sabetaung (Map 93C/6, copp~r anomaly); quartz veins with tetrahedrite in Middle III de 50. The reconnaissance survey resulted in Ordovician limestone. Old underground excavation 19 finding 13 significant anomalies including and diamond drilling. th those caused by known mineralization. Ten of an these anomalies were selected for further work (c) Myinbyan (Map 93C/10, lead anomaly); II and later studied by the project team. Addi­ galena veins in biotite-garnet-schist. Old tionally , the regional sampling revealed large small-scale mine. wa areas of exceptionally low background values; II co these areas are considered to have no practical (d) Lebyin (No: 12, antimony anomaly); I mineral potential and thus can be omitted from stibnite veins and dissemination in brecciated 6. future exploration activities (large areas of and si1icified zone at a limestone-mudstone III Arakan Yoma, Sa1inbyi-Shinmataung and Chin Hills, contact. Tribute mining district. I for exampke) • The multi-element analyses of collected samples (up to 8 elements were (e) Tamagyi Chaung (No: 13, lead anomaly); III analyzed) helped to predict mineral combinations quartz-galena vein in gneissose schist, close to expected in the anomalous areas and to plan granite contact. effectively the detailed exploration. 1 (f) Megon (No: 14, tungsten-tin-molybdenom­ • 51. The anomalous areas detected by the lead anomaly); quartz veins with wo1framite and 1 project geochemical reconnaissance survey and molybdenite at the contact zone of granite and the geologic evidence are H.sted below: meta-sediments. Tribute mining district. I!. o 1. Pin1ebu-Banmauk area (14,700 sq km, 7,200 Four of the anomalous zones (a, d, e and f) o stream-sediment samples) were selected for follow-up studies (Technical Report No: 6). In addition, a few minor 1'1 (a) Kame (No: 1, copper anomaly); weak anomalies without supporting geologic evidence rock alteration and pyritization, in diorite and were found in the area, and should be studied in I 5 dacite, and placer gold. future. They are: Chaungbya (Map Sheet 93D/7, i lead), Letnge Sakan (93 D/7, tungsten), Myo Gyi w (b) Mainghton-East Area (No: 3, copper (93C/7, copper in contact skarn). Only a weak III r4 anomaly); pyritization in and around granodiorite lead anomaly was found at Paungdaw 93D/6, where o. the DGSE was carrying out diamond drilling. intrusions; rare copper staining. I Ij I Nl w km~ (c) Sagyin (No: 4, lead-zinc-arsenic 3. Sa1ingyi-Shinmataung area (1,990 sq 691 r anomaly); cerussite veiu1ets and quartz-veins stream-sediment samples) T with sporadic sulphides in the vicinity of salt _'I L springs; Stream-s~diment reconnaissance survey 1 carried out in Sa1ingyi-Shinmataung area did not _I_ (d) Budaung Forest (No: 7, copper, nickel yield significant anomalies. Low copper, lead 5 anomaly); u1tramafic and volcanic rock in areas and zinc values predominate throughout the area. a of otherwise sedimentary lithology. The few values exceeding threshold are either _I­ - 10 ~I, i!1 II isolated or caused by lithologic units of the (Letpadaung Taung Copper Prospect) describe the Salingyi Complex. project follow-up work in detail, for which II reason the main results of these activities ~re 4. Chin Hills area (9,100 sq km, 1,275 stream­ only briefly described here. Recommendations sediment samples) concerning future work are given at the end of each target description. II Low sampling density was selected owing to the predominantly uniform flysch type of sed­ 1. Pinlebu-Banmauk area (G-area) imentary environment which is considered to have II a very low mineral potential. (a) Kame (No: 1) The only anomalous values were of nickel 54. Weak copper anomalies, pyritization, and chromium which are caused by peridotite/ altered igneous and volcanic rocks and extensive 1I serpentinite bodies in the eastern slopes of the placer gold workings were described here during Chin Hills (Webula massive No; 15). A prominent the regional reconnaissance. These and the nickel anomaly also coincides with the previously location along the geologic strike from the investigated Mwe Taung garnierite deposit (Sheet Shangalon mineralization indicated the possibility II 841/3), where a diamond drilling programme was of similar kind of mineralization, especially completed by the DGSE. because porphyry copper ones are known to occur in groups. II 5. Southern Chin Hills (3,500 sq km, 582 stream­ sediment samples) 55. Consequently, detailed geologic and alteration mapping and stream sediment sampling No significant geochemical anomalies were of slightly over 100 sq km were carried out. The III delineated but the work continued(as of April collected samples were analyzed for copper, lead, 1978) and many of the samples collected during zinc, silver and molybdenum. the subsequent field season remained to be II analyzed. 56. The only visible mineralization is pyritization in the middle part of the area, and The previously known Sidoktaya mineralization a narrow quartz vein within the zone containing II was visited by the project geologists who some oxidized copper sulphides. Placer workings relat~d I concluded that it has no economic importance. are widespread and seem to be to the igneous rock sources, particularly around altered 6. Arakan Yoma (11,200 sq km, 2,800 stream­ dacite, adamellite and granodiorite contact zones. 1:1 sediment samples) I 57. The detailed mapping did not indicate any The only significant anomaly in Arakan Yoma porphyry type of mineralization, characteristic I1I was a copper anomaly downstream from the known hydrothermal alteration nor intensive fracturing. Lemyethna (No: 16) copper-bearing pyrite In addition, the few discovered geochemical occurrence. The mineralization is located in a anomalies were only of low intensity, limited in bottom part of a brecciated zone between basalt area and scattered. Consequently no further work I!. and flysch sediment. is recommended in the Kame area. High nickel and copper values elsewhere in (b) Khedwin (No: 2) I~I Arakan Yoma represent only high background level of small ultramafic pods and scattered pockets 58. The previously known small copper showings of chromite. did not cause any regional geochemica1 anomalies I but were included in the project follow-up 1,1 C. Follow-up investigations progranune. 52. Detailed investigations by the Project 59. The only evidence of mineralization is a involved altogether 17 targets, out of which 10 10-cm wide cha1copyrite-bearing quartz vein in a were selected mainly on geochemica1 bases and the weakly altered andesite exposure. Some disseminated III remaining ones on geologic evidence or grounds sulphides close to the vein were observed in the of previous mining or prospecting activities. host rock. None of the prospects in which work was completed tJ I I were found to be economic, but the up-to-date 60. No more evidence of mineralization was results of incomplete drilling at Letpadaung found although the rocks in the area are fairly Taung were promising and work continued also in well exposed. The geochemica1 results showed no 1'1 Lebyin, Mansi and Pyittawye areas (as of April significant anomalous pattern. The mineralization 1978). is clearly non-economic and no more work is recommended. 53. The Technical Reports No: 1 (Shanga10n (c) Mainghton-East (No: 3) -,-I and Surroundings), No: 6 (Mineral Exploration in I~I Selected Areas) and a special memorandum 61. The Mainghton-East area was selected for ~J, - 11- ) ; I i

· ~ · r-;~"G u~ 1! I . I: I' I detailed study because of pr~mising geology and are of no economic potential and only a research anomalous copper values in stream sediments, study to identify the source of the brines is The work included syl!ltematic base..of-slope soil considered worthwhile. sampling, detailed sediment sampling and geologic II mapping on the scale of one inch to 1/2 mile (e) Kyaukpazat (No: 5) (1:31,680). The mineralization is situated in one of the most rugged parts of the Pinlebu~ 69. The original ore shoot, a gold containinp. Banmauk area where the average slope exceeds chalcopyrite, pyrite and galena-bearing quartz­ II 1,250 feet per mile. calcite veining, is considered to be related to a nearby diorite stock at the fault-controlled 62. The lithology comprises silicic quartz~ contact zone between andesite and a schistose and II felspar porphyry and andesite intruded by stocks slaty formation. The underground working, of granodiorite and diorite. Locally enriched operated from 1897 to 1903 by a German enterprise, disseminated pyrite is associated mainly with is reported to have produced more than 200 kg of the intrusives although some insignificant gold; operations ceased when the reserves were II massive pyrite veins occur in dacite at the exhausted. northern part of the area. 70. The project work at Kyaukpazat included: II 63. The only alteration mapped in the area (i) detailed mapping of lithology, alteration and is minor silicification of pyritized dacite old workings, (ii) systematic geochemical channel­ close to its intrusive contacts. The collected and chip-sampling, (iii) opening and sampling of stream sediments and base-of-slope samples were the old galley, and (iv) digging and sampling II analyzed for copper, lead, zinc, silver, several new pits and trenches. A few samples of molybdenum and arsenic. The fairly large anom­ remnants of sulphide-bearing quar.tz-calcite vein, alous area is clearly related to the well-exposed collected from the pillars and walls of the old II intrusive ·stocks and pyrite mineralization. gallery, were the only ones to contain economic grade of gold but they do not represent minable 64. Although the follow-up survey confirmed ore reserves. Furthermore, the surrounding the presence of sulphide mineralization (pyrite geology does not indicate mineralization, and the II and scarce chalcopyrite) and the geology has silicified and pyritized fracture zones close to some similarities with the Shangalon area, the the old mine were barren. Neither were high gold mineralization, alteration and fracturing are values found in numerous samples collected from II less developed and the mineralization is non­ the trenches and pits in the vicinity of the old economic. gallery. Consequently no further exploration is recommended at present. (d) Sagyin (No: 4) II (f) Sadwin (No: 6) 65. Scattered high lead and zinc anomalies and many mineral springs of chloride, sulphate, 71. The aims of the project activities were II carbonate, arsenate and other brines were dis­ to study the known gold mineralization and to covered during the regional survey. find its possible extension and to locate new occurrences in the vicinity. The Sadwin area had 66. Most of the Sagyin area is underlain by been intensively worked for placer gold deposits II granodiorite with small diorite plutons in it. mainly at the turn of the century. The follow-up Dacite and andesite dykes and northeasterly investigations included detailed ge~'~gic mapping trending quartz veins are Widespread. The mineral and geochemical sediment sall,lpling sq km on II springs are believed to be controlled by numerous scale 1:25,000, trenching and self )~tial, deep-seated faults, but the origin of the brine magnetic and radiometric surveys over che known is unknown and would be an interesting research mineralization. Rock chips and channel samples problem. were collected from all exposed quartz veins and II trenches. The sediments were analyzed for copper, 67. Follow-up work by the project involved lead, zinc, silver, nickel, cobalt and the rock additional geologic mapping and collecting stream samples additionally for gold. sediments over an area of about 35 sq km. The II samples were analyzed for copper, lead, zinc and 72. Most of the area is covered by a arsenic and semi-quantitatively scanned for 25 granodiorite pluton and only minor parts by other elements. andesite. The mineralization is formed by two II groupings of pyriterich quartz veins, both within 68. No sulphide mineralization was found and the granodiorite complex. One of the 15 analysed the association hetween high lead, zinc and veins showed higher gold values, but trenching arsenic values in stream sediments and the and geophysical survey confirmed its limited II mineral-spring activity is evident. It is extension. The top part of this vein had been supported by the observation that veinlets of previously worked by the Villagers, but it is cerrusite and occasional arsenates are found only possible that the gold, which was extracted only II in the vicinity of the springs. These veinlets from the soft weathered part, was enriched by the _ 12 _ II

I .t -,~ I j I r I i J~ II rch so-called "wind gap" effect, which concentrates geophysical or geologic evidence of economic placer gold into saddle parts of ridges. It is mineralization. Shangalon and the surroundings II concluded that no additional work is justified area are clearly non-economic even in the near at Sadwin area. future and no further work is recommended. ninr. II (g) Budaung Forest (No: 7) 2. G-area extension Zoo to a 73. Anomalous copper and nickel values were (a) Tagaung Taung (No: 10) discovered during the regional exploration at and II the eastern edge of the Pinlebu-Banmauk area. 81. The Tagaung Taung area totalling 285 sq km It was therefore decided to extend the regional was known to contain some nickel silicate rise, survey eastward (total extension 350 sq km) and (garnierite) deposits, chromite mineralization of II study in detail an area of 60 sq km around the and showings of manganese and copper. It was e original anomalies at Budaung Forest. The work studied in February-May 1976, when detailed involved detailed geologic mapping and sediment geologic mapping (partly at a scale 1:2,000) and sampling. geochemica1 sediment, soil afid rock-ship sampling ed: II were performed. The whole topographic sheet area and 74. The lithology consists mainly of an older (93A/2) was regionally mapped and geochemically nne1­ sedimentary unit with sills of serpentinite and surveyed during the 1977/78 field season. of basalt and a younger one with clastic sediments. (Appendix to the Technical Report No: 2, under II They are flanked in the east by a discontinuous preparation as of April 1978.) of belt of limestone and schist. ein, 82. One large and two smaller circular 1d II (h) Shangalon and surroundings (No: 8) ultramafic massifs of dunite, harzburgite, ic pyroxenite and serpentinite occur in the central le 75. Technical Report No: 1 (Geological part of the area. They are bordered by schist to Mineralization of the Shanga10n Copper Prospect the east and south-east, gritty sandstone to the the II and Surroundings) describes in detail the large­ north and younger pebbly sandstone and alluvium to scale integrated exploration in the area and its elsewhere. Coloured cherts (partly "gossanous") gold results. Hence only the main points are south-east of the schist complex are overlain by om II summarized here. calcareous sandstone and younger sediments. old is 76. The work, carried out between January 83. The area was previously studied by a 1975 and May 1977, involved geologic mapping, Yugoslavian team, private consultants and by a II combined geo-e1ectric, magnetic and radiometric DGSE team; the DGSE concentrated their work surveys and geochemical soil sampling covering mainly on manganese showings. an area of more than 20 sq km. Diamond drilling re involved 33 holes totalling 8,785 feet (2,700 m). 84. Nickel silicates occur exclusively in the II ultramafic massif, the only significant deposit 77. Further geologic mapping, sediment being at Innet Lake where it forms a supergene had sampling over 260 sq km surrounding Shangalon alteration zone about 150 m by 350 m in area1 its II and electric, magnetic and radioactive surveys extent. w-up extending 15 km southward from it was also ping carried out to check if other mineralization was 85. Outcrops of chromite are restricted to on present in the vicinity. small and scattered occurrences although compact II chromite bolders are fairly common on the north­ wo 78. Seven major zones of alteration and eastern slopes of the massif. No economic es mineralization were delineated at Shangalon concentration of alluvial deposits are expected and II proper. The most promising zones were drilled primarily because of dilution by the nearby pper, but found to contain only sub-economic grade of Irrawaddy River alluvium. ock copper. In addition, smaller higher-grade vein­ type showings were tested for possible small 86. Minor manganese mineralization as veins 1I reserves, but the results were not encouraging. in chert had previously been reported in the area. Detailed geologic mapping and geochemical results 79. Estimates based on final drilling results of the project work proved that the manganese o II indicate that a maximum of 9 million tons of ore mineralization is isolated and has no economic thin containing 0.23 per cent copper, a trace of extension. ysed molybdenum and approximately 0.17 grams per ton g of gold exists in Shanga10n. The short high.. 87. Copper mineralization in float had II grade sections intersected in several drill holes previously been observed in a few creeks. The n show no continuity ~nd are economically mineralization was traced to quartz veinlets or insignificant. small quartz lenses in greenschist at the contact n1y II with chert where it forms a narrow and dis­ the 80. The extensive exploration in the continuous belt about 4 km long. surrounding areas disclosed no geochemlcal,

II _13 .. I, I r I i , 1'1 II 88. The average sampling density was 1.62 depth soundings, suggest that although the gravel sediment samples per sq km, but the areas of beds are locally up to 18 feet thick, they do not special interest were sampled in more detail. form & large continuous blanket but are con­ The Innet Taung ni .'el deposit was covered by centrated in two separate areas. II systematic soil sampling. 97. Estimates of gravel reserves were not 89. The ultramafics, schist and cherts are available pending completion of auger drilling II mostly well exposed and the geolcgic mapping on but the information available indicates that the scale 1:20,000 is considered suff:f.ciently inform­ reserves are of limited extent. It was tentatively ative. The areas of geochemical anomaly and concluded that mechanized water monitoring or those surrounding known mineralization were dredging would be economic only if the gold grade II mapped in detail and many rock-chip samples were were much higher than now predicted. collected and analyzed in support of the mapping. 98. It is recommended (April 1978) that gold .1 1 90. Evaluation of the results indicates that content be checked during the next field season, the chromium and manganese mineralization in the by sinking pits and drilling 8-inch auger holes, area is only scattered and of no economic to obtain sufficient representative gravel to III significance. determine the grade. This work should be done only if the final results of drilling have proven 91. Geologic and geochemical evidence suggests that sufficient gravel is present. that the scattered copper-bearing veinlets in III greenschist do not form any concentration of 3. Shan Scarps (I-area) economic interest. However, attention should be I paid in future mapping to the area northeast of (a) Pyattawye (No: 11) the greenschist-chert contact zone which may be 1'1 favourable for copper sulphides. 99. The Pyattawye area, underlain by Middle Ordovician limestone, was known to contain barytes 92. The garnierite mineralization at Innet veina and some sporadic galena, tetrahedrite and III Taung is estimated to have reserves no more than tennantite mineralization. Widespread lead 4 million tons containing between 0.6 and 2.0 anomalies were discovered during the regional I per cent nickel. The formation is presently non­ reconnaissance and they were investigated by a economic and no further exploration is justified. brief follow-up survey in 1976/77. It involved III detailed geologic mapping and sediment sampling (b) Mansi (No: 9) of about 60 sq km; the sampling density was 4.1 samples per sq km. All samples were analyzed III 93. The gold-bearing gravel deposits at for lead, zinc, copper, silver, cobalt, barium, Mansi are overlain by as much as 30 feet of thick arsenic, antimony and molybdenum. The results I alluvial sand and clay. They have been worked showed that the known barytes veins coincide with by local villagers for many generations, but higher lead, arsenic and copper values, and also III production has been low owing to primitive resulted in discovery of two new significant lead working methods and low gold content. anomalies. I

94. The area was selected for detailed 100. The follow-up phase which still continued lil alluvial exploration because the geomorphology as of April 1978 involved soil sampling and I and topography of the Chaunggyi valley are detailed geologic mapping of these two anomalies. considered favourable for large-volume gravel Recommendations for future work ~re presented in 1,1 deposits. The work plan for the first field Technical Report No: 6. season, 1977/78, was not to determine the actual gold content but rather to find the source of (b) Lebyin area (No: 12) III the gold-bearing gravel and to out~ine the gravel reserves as to whether they would justify 101. The Lebyin area is an old mining district I mechanized operations. Detailed geologic mapping, where copper and placer gold has been mined in electronic depth sounding and auger drilling the past and small-scale tribute mining of stibnite (3-inch diameter) were begun. In addition, all continues. 1;1 available information from the old workings and pits (some as deep as 50 feet) was recorded. 102. Three different kinds of mineralization were recognized in the area. They are: (i) copper 1:1 95. The geologic mapping, which continued as sulphide bearing contact veins or replacement of April 1978, showed that the scarp-forming bodies, (ii) stibnite veins, small lenses and conglomerates to the west are the source of the minor dissemination in silicified rock and (iii) gold; it suggests that at least two cycles of barytes veins containing some galena. The .:. concentration have been involved. practically exhausted placer gold deposits and the copper sulphide mineralization were associated 96. Preliminary information, supported by with a diorite stock. The lead-bearing barytes approximately 25 auger holes and 12 electronic are insignificant in both size and grade. 1;­ I~I - 14 - ,j, 1, II l; II raveL 103. The first phase of follow-up activities 4. Chin Hills (E-area) ) not included detailed sediment sampling of 114 sq km. The sampling density in the areas of more interest (a) Webu1a Massif (No: 15) II lI'as up to 5 samples per sq km and the samples were ana1yzed for copper, lead, zinc~ silver, 110. The regional survey revealed strong t: antimony, arsenic, mercury, molybdenum, tungsten nickel, chr.omium and sporadic copper anomalie9 and tin. 19 II around the u1tramafic Webu1a massif. Geologic the mapping of 120 sq km was first completed on a t:ive1y 104. The last phase which was still continuing scale of 1:10,000; followed by a base-of-s10pe r as of April 1978 covered the area of possible and grid soil sampling and 1:2,000 scale geologic grade II stibnite mineralization and involves detailed mapping of areas of special interest. I geologic mapping on 1:2,500 scale, geophysical Turam survey, deep geochemica1 soil sampling, 111. The geonorphofogdcaf conditions in Webula gold I1I bulldozer trenching and diamond drilling of known are not favourable for formation of nickel silicate son, stibnite occurrences. Nine holes totalling some or 1aterite deposits, and the well-exposed and Les, 1,700 feet had been completed by April 1978. The scattered chromite occurrences are too small to be results indicate that the stibnite mineralization of economic interest. The high copper values are ) III le is scattered and no reserves sufficient for associated with the chromite mineralization and roven modern mining techniques have been proved. do not represent any copper mineralization. No However, some areas remained to be drilled, and further work is recommended. III work continued. 5. Arakan Yoma (E-area) I (c) Tamagyi Chaung (No: 13) (a) Lemyethna (No: 16) lil 105. The strong lead anomalies discovered :1le during the regional reconnaissance were briefly 112. Only a brief follow-up visit was paid to :lrytes studied. The anomaly, limited to the Tamagyi the previously known mineralization at Lemyethna. and III drainage, is close to a ca1c-si1icate and schist­ The combined geologic observat f.ons and limited gneiss contact zone geologically similar to the extension of stream-sediment anomalies confirmed L I Phaungdaw mineralization about 15 km to the north. earlier conclusions of a small occurrence in a a strongly brecciated zone of basalt and conglomerate iTed lil 106. The project work involved further associated with f1ysch. The approximately 3-foot­ lng sediment sampling of about 50 sq km (3.2 samples thick lens-like massive pyrite mineralization Ll per sq km), detailed bank-and-ridge soil sampling locally contains green copper oxides and i III and geologic mapping. Only one insignificant cha1canthite. It is exposed only in the bottom um, galena-hearing vein in situ and a few boulders of a steep and narrow stream valley. ts I containing galena were found, but the results with were inconclusive. A geophysical survey (Turam 113. Further exploration is recommended and :llso lil EM) in the vicinity of the galena-bearing vein should include grid-based detailed geologic lead is, therefore, recommended. mapping, geophysical I.P., Turam and magnetic surv~ys, and soil sampling on a F-cale 1:5,000. III (d) Megon (No: 14) (The area was included in the 1977/78 field lnued programme but was cancelled because of lack of I 107. The area of the follow-up survey includes tjme and logistic difficulties.) lies. the Megon Mine where small-scale tribute mining d in for wo1framite is still practised. The minerali­ 6. Letpadaung Taung (No: 17), Monywa 1;1 zation, mainly wo1framite with sporadic concentra­ I tions of mo1ybdenite, occurs as four parallel 114. The Project gave geologic support and quartz veins which intrude the biotite granite administrative assistance to the project "Pre­ III of the tin-tungsten province of Burma. investment Drilling and Training!! (BUR-72-001) trict until 31 December 1977 and assumed full control ln 108. Stream-sediment sampling, heavy-mineral of its operations in Letpadaung Taung from that tibnite panning and geologic mapping involved an area of date. Details of these activities and geology of 1;1 more than 50 sq km; the sampling density reached the mineralization will be described in a special 1.5 samples per sq km. All samples were ana1yzed memorandum which includes Dr. Si1litoe's report 10n for copper, lead, zinc, silver, tungste~, (1977) as an annex. Only the salient points are copper 1:1 molybdenum, arsenic, boron, beryllium, tin, mentioned here. t niobium and manganese. d I~I 115. Three separate copper deposita are lU) 109. The investigations suggest that no other recognized in the Monywa area. The twin deposits, , sizeable tungsten deposits occur in the area Kyisindaung and Sabetaung, are located about 10 km nd covered by the programme. Nevertheless, the north-west of Letpadaung Taung and were drilled dated Megon mineralization belongs to a prominent earlier ~y a combined Burmese Government - Japanese tes tungsten belt which should be surveyed Ln detail team. The project study concerns only the 1;1 when security conditions allow. Letpadaung Taung area. Details of exploration I:. - 15 - Ijl ...

Dli U I II efforts are shown in figure 3. Because of these zones, and existing post­ I., mineralized dykes, reliable correlation of ore 116. The previous exploration in Letpadaung intersections between drill holes cannot be made Taung included small-scale diggings of oxide and the drilling done is sufficient only to out­ III ore and a few test pits, S.P. survey and geologic line the mineralization and predict the tenor of mapping by a Yugoslav team, early diamond the ore. drilling in between '1957 and 1960 by the Gov­ I!. ernment, reconnaissance I.P. by a Colombo Plan 119. The leached capping ranges from 70 feet team and a large-scale integrated exploration (2l.5m), on the low land to 625 (192 m) feet campaign including geologic mapping and I.P. under the highest hill peaks and adversely affects survey by a Japanese team in 1973/74. The the stripping ratio. I• project carried out additional I.P. work, geo­ chemical soil sampling and Turam survey. The 120. Owing to the close association between diamond drilling,which was started in May 1976, the copper mineralization and strong pyrite and geologic mapping of "dnlike features concentration the area of strong LP. and Turam ·'1 123. Field 0 continued as of April 1978. anomalies was selected as a target for outline intended to star drilling. In general, the mineralization season, but had 117. Regionally the area is situated within coincides with such intensive alteration features II appointment of e the Burma Volcanic Arc of late Mesozoic and as alunite, advanced argillization, silicification, equipment. The' Cenozoic volcanic, intrusive and sedimentary fracturing, brecciation and hematite capping. used mainly for rocks. The local lithology at Letpadaung Taung The drilling plan was later modified to include ting drilling ta comprises mainly strongly altered andesitic to a few holes outside the strong geophysical anomaly. II investment Drill dacitic volcanic rocks (biotite porphyry), tuff, the start of the possible rhyolitic (silicified?) dykes (zones?) 121. The programme of outline drilling 75, the poor sec and hydrothermal breccia, all of late Cenozoic involves 75 holes out of which 62 (average 800 II cumstances force age. Many clearly post-mineral dykes were mapped feet (245 m) were completed and four were being cancellation of . on surface and in core, but in places the strong drilled as of April 1978. gramme of about superp,ene alterat:f,on of softer non-fractured, The final progra non-mineralized and less-silicified zones of the 122. The drilling results indicate that the I• 46,740 sq km (18 biotite porphyry host rock effectively mask its Letpadaung Taung is a major porphyry-type copper geologic mapping origin. mineralization. As noted earlier it is not yet and led to folIo possible to calculate the ore reserves, but it II of which 3 invol 118. The degree of alteration is strongly can be estimated that they might reach considerably in two of these fracture-controlled, and consequently the wide­ more than 100 million tons with a tenor of 0.5­ Taung) the drill spread zones with few or no fractures between 1.0 per cent copper. It is concluded that at the major veins are only slightly altered. least 90 more drill holes (totalling 22,000 m) II 124. The pIa are needed to prove the ore reserves. tive minerals an airborne geophys II because the Gove experts to join II A. R 125. Altoget 1974/75 to 1977/ II programme. The project served n but led to major of the whole cou II select:.f.ng areas in aiding unders of mineral depos lithologic units, II favourable for m: regions of negli! example, the flyl II Hills and Arakan is not justified tions assisted i metallogenic zon II aries, lithologi mineralization s II aryon and paleon 126. The reg results formed t -16 - II -L ,. ----~=--:~------_._21 ... .. _-_ .. _- ··--··r-···-·-~-···.·....: ."7-- i" .1' I

Ill. ASSESSMENT

123. Field operations were originally exploration. It was not expected to show precise intended to start during the 1973/74 field locations of mineralization, but merely to if season, but had to be postponed owing to the late indicate areas of higher mineral potential which appointment of experts and delays in de11very of should then be considered for detailed inves­ equipment. The latter part of the season was tigations. The multi-eJement analyses used by used mainly for preparatory work, and for selec­ the project reduced the risk of overlooking ting drilling t.argets for the proposed Pre­ smaller mineralizations; and in many cases the investment Drilling and Training Project. By e1~ment associations were used to support the the start of the first full field season, 1974/ geologic mapping, especially in areas with few 75, the poor security situation and other cir­ rock outcrops. cumstances forced changes in project areas and cancellation of the photogeologic mapping pro­ 127. The project followed-up all the major gramme of about 101,000 sq km (39,000 sq miles). reconnaissance anomalies, apart from these at The final programme of the project involved which work was still in progress as of April 1978, 46,740 sq km (18,050 sq miles) of regional but it is possible that some minor mineralization, geologic mapping and geochemical exploration, which caused only insignificant or isolated and led to follow-up investigation of 17 targets anomalies, is present. These anomalies are of which 3 involved extensive diamond drilling; recorded on the maps and should be followed-up in in two of these area (Lebyin and Letpadaung connection with possible future geologic activ­ Taung) the drilling continued as of April 1978. ities in the vicinity.

124. The planned ground survey for radioac- 128. However, all previously known mineral tive minerals and participation in the DGSE occurrences caused detectable reconnaissance airborne geophysical survey were cancelled anomalies, which suggests that the survey was because the Government would not permit tl.e reliable and that no near-surface body of ore of experts to join these activities. the ana1yzed elements was missed.

A. Regional surveys B. Follow-up investigations

125. Altogether four field seasons from 129. Detailed follow-up investigations of 17 1974/75 to 1977/78 were used to complete the targets proved that 11 are non-economic and no programme. The regional geologic mapping by the further activities were recommended. More detailed project served not only the exploration purposes exploration is needed in Tamagyi (No: 13) and but led to major changes in the structural map Lemyethna (No: 16) although mineral potential is of the whole country. This will be of value in considered to be low. In Mansi (No: 9) the selecting areas for future regional exploration, exploration of gold-bearing gravels continued, in aiding understanding of the regional setting but the gravel reserves seem limited and divided of mineral deposits, and in identifying specific into at least two separate zones. Tht:; gold lithologic units, contacts and structures content, although not confirmed,is believed to be favourable for mineralization. It also indicated low. In Pyattawye (No: 11) the final phase regions of negligible mineral potential for continued but no significant lead mineralization example, the flysch comprising most of tha Chin was reported. In Lebyin (No: 12) surface geologic Hills and Arakan Yoma where further exploration mapping and diamond drilling, still in progress is not justified. The major structural modifica­ as of April 1978, suggest that the stibnite tions assisted in improved delimitation of mineralization is scattered over a large area, metallogenic zones resulting in new zone bound­ and no economic concentration for mechanized aries, lithologic associations, and ages of mining has been proved. mineralization supported by numerous potassium­ aryon and paleontologic age determinations. 130. In Letpadaung Taung (No: 17) a major porphyry copper mineralization of generally 126. The regional geochemical reconnaissance acceptable grade has been outlined by diamond results formed the base for planning further drilling which was continuing. In addition to

-17 -

-,~--~,._~ .-.. _~._.---..-. ::b'l_i";);.'-"'_"_J_.",'~·~"·· 1:1 II the impressive porphyry' copper potential the 134. In spite of the progress made in drilling, supported by a Turam E.M. survey, training by the Project, it cannot be over­ indicates that some of the massive pyrite veins, emphasized that the professional competence of containing up to 10 per cent copper, might form the technical staff of DGSE can neither be II high-grade deposits extensive enough for small­ maintained nor improved without continual tech­ scale underground mining. A closer evaluation nical training of staff in modern exploration of the underground mine potential might become and mining methods. This should be combined II important if only low investment is planned or with mod~rn textbooks and journals made available if excess thickness of the leached capping and to staff at all levels in the organizaUon. other benefication problems prove that a large­ scale open-cast mining of the whole deposit is 135. The project team feels that the DGSE II uneconomic. would benefit if more of the senior geologists were to supervise systematic and large-scale 131. Further evaluation of Letpadaung Taung exploration programmes in field, as this is where II 140. Th is included in the proposed programmes of the the strength of the organization lies. There is satisfactor UNDP-supported projects "Mineral Explor.ation a tendency, however, for the more qualified help were r and Prospect Evaluation" and "Pre-feasibility people to perform administrative tasks at head­ Project tea Studies for Mineral Exploration". The programme quarters while field operations are run by less II many sectio includes development drilling, driving of two experienced junior geologists. Geochemical :!.nclined tunnels, beneficiation tests and Geophysical preliminary feasibility ("pre-feasibility") 136. The project team is also concerned about and Adminis studies. As of April 1978, the formal position what seems to be a random transfer of geologists II important s of the Government of Burma was not known; from post to post. It is common that after a siasm and h. however, it was understood informally that other person is trained in certain aspects of exploration geologists plans for f~llow-up work not involving UNDP were or familiarized with loc~l geologic conditions, II the Project in prospect. Investment possibilities are he is transferred to a new job which has no in often ex clearly present, but cannot yet be specified. relation to his training or experience. their work, complete th D. Administrative matters II c. Fellowship study and training 1 141. A 137. As a whole, the administrative assistance gramme whic 132. Implementation of the fellowship and co-operation received from the DGSE was 1 • and geochem component was unsatisfactory. Early problems satisfactory but its ability to support the integrated were encountered when the Government decided not Project was noticeably decreased towards the end I and diamond to accept the proposed university training ef the project. successfull programmes but only practical ones. Later, the 1,1 previously strict Australian language requirements, and the 138. One serious problem was the withdrawal significant Government's decision not to permit language for lengthy periods of professional national staff the reliabi training in the study country, caused many from the field without advising the project III cancellations of candidatures. More recently, the management. The matter was discussed in the 142. Th implementation was further jeopardised owin~ to final Tripartite review but the situation did not t detailed re the last-minute cancellations of already-approved improve. The start of the present (1977-1978) relevant te candidates or delays in their departure. field season was delayed by about a month when III and also br Adiitionally, no new or replacement nominations promotion and fellowship examinations were held of this rep were made despite repeated enquiries by UNDP. in Rangoon at the end of November 1977 involving In these circumstances the Project Manager all but 4 of the national geologists. The situa­ I f I. 143. It recommended that all pending fellowship pro­ tion was repeated when 8 key national geologists in a region grammes, totalling 69 man-months, be cancelled. were re-called to Rangoon in February 1978 by the I a systemati Ministry and spent one month in Rangoon waiting Regional ge 133, The national field geologists received for an interview that was repeatedly postponed. III distributio intensive on-the-job training, seminars and samples mus lectures in all practical aspects of a full 139. Another problem was the lack of competent p exploration sequence. Their field performance communication between the DGSE and project team. unsupported was excellent, the work standard steadily During the joint drilling operations in Letpadaung III of little v improved and many of them became competent to Taung, an approved drilling plan was not followed carry out exii.oration programmes with minimum by the DGSE and their drilling results were not 144. Si supervision. made readily available to th~ project team. 1,1 tions are r' I out systema it should s of a suffic III geochemical ,I,III -18 - IAI .---·-r~·""-- ~----, I

IV. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

140. The technical support by the DGSE was appropriate geophysical methods. Diamond drilling satisfactory and generous assistance and material should depend on combined information from these help were received whenever feasible. The methods. The whole study should be based on a Project team worked in close relationship with topographically surveyed grid-line system and the many sections of the DGSE, especially with the results presented on maps having the same base. Geochemica1) Geological Mapping, Photogeo10gica1, Geophysical, Exploration, Mineralogical, Drilling 145. The follow-up investigations, carried and Administrative Sections. However, the most out in this way, led in most cases to the finding important support to the project was the enthu­ and outlining of the mineralized sources causing siasm and high general ability of the Burmese the anomalies, although none of the new discov­ geologists and other technical staff assigned to eries proved to be economic under present economic the Project who carried out their field duties conditions. in often extremely adverse conditions. Without their work, it would have been impossible to 146. Consequently it is recommended thac the complete the objective assigned. DGSE continue the combined geologic mapping and exploration activities as started by the project 141. A large-scale mineral exploration pro- team and as outlined above. Selection of the gramme which comprised regional geologic mapping regional areas should be based on metallogenic and geochemical reconnaissance of 46,740 sq km, zones shown in figure 2 and described in para­ integrated follow-up investigations of 17 targets, graphs 28 to 48 of this report and in the relevant and diamond drilling of 12,900 metres was Technical Reports. In particular, it must be successfully completed. The fact that all emphasized that with exception of a small area previously known principal mineralizations caused near Taungthonlon and in the southern Chin Hills, significant geochemical anomalies demonstrates Burma west of Long. 960E has low potential for the reliability of the methods used. the discovery of new mineral deposits.

142. The specific technical conclusions and 147. The project team encountered some detailed recommendations are presented in problems in obtaining previous reports by the relevant technical reports listed in Annex No: 1 DGSE and action should be taken to improve the and also briefly in Chapter III MAIN RESULTS situation. It is recommended that responsibility of this report; they are not repeated here. of report writings be clearly assigned and that the reports be produced and properly distributed 143. It is concluded that reliable results once the work is complete. The present distribu­ in a regional survey can be obtained only through tion is not well-organized and, for example, some a systematic exploration sequence in large areas. project reports sent to the DGSE did not reach Regional geologic mapping, observation of float many persons who could benefit from them. distribution and collection of stream-sediment samples must be done simultaneously and by 148. Action should be taken to keep the competent professional people. Geochemical data technical personnel assigned to their field posts unsupported by adequate geologic background are until the work programme is complete. The of little value. practise of rotating the technical staff without considering their training or experience is 144. Similarly, results of detailed investiga- unsatisfactory and lowers the standard and output tions are reliable only when the work is carried of work and the morale of the individuals out systematically and in sequence. Normally, concerned. As an example, a geologist who had it should start with detailed geologic mapping been trained specifically to map post-mineral of a sufficiently large area, followed by dykes in Letpadaung Taung was transferred to geochemical soil survey and measurements by another post on completion of the training.

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1Y!lQ.n;'~ f'

, .... l ~ ex 0'1t: F'" f

III, I I I I ANNEX 1 I I LIST OF PROJECT REPORTS I I

Title of report Remarks I I Interna st 1. Geology and mineralization of the Technical Report No: 1 (in Shanga10n Copper Prospect and preparation, June 1978) I I Surroundings Part 1: Shanga10n I I ;1 , I; Part 2: Surroundings A.H.G. Chief G 2. Geology and exploration geochemistry Technical Report No: 2 (in I I of the Pin1ebu-Banmauk arec, Sagaing preparation, June 1978) P. Carr Division, northern Burma. Economi

3. Geology and exploration geochemistry Technical Report No: 3 (in I I F. Sumi of the Shan Scarps area, east of preparation, June 1978) Geophys Kyaukse, Thazi and Tatkon, central Burma. I I B. Zite Chief G 4. Geology and exploration geochemistry Technical Report No: 4 (in of part of the northern and southern preparation, June 1978) T. Dave Chin Hills and the Arakan, western I I Field G Burma. F. Baum 5, Geology and exploration geochemistry Technical Report No: 5 (in I Consult· of the Sa1ingyi-Shinmataung area, preparation, June 1978) I central Burma. 6. Mineral exploration in selected Technical Report No: 6 (in I I areas. preparation, June 1978) 7. Letpadaung Taung Copper Prospect. Memorandum I I 8. A graphical method for the treatment Internal Report of geochemica1 data. (by T.G. Davenport) I I 9. Geological mapping and exploratIon Special Report instructions for fle1d personnel. I I I I U Tin I I

- ~O - I I

IY,,"MWXF7'tmJ.

I;!~1 I - - ~S' ~-----~------~.._-._---"--

l ,,['·i:"...~. If; III II I I

I I ANNEX 2

II PROJECT PERSONNEL

International I I Nationality Arrival Departure Total months staff date date served

II A. International staff J. V. Huhta Finland Jan. 1974 June 1978 53 I I Project Manager A.H.G. Mitchell United Kingdom Jan. 1974 July 1978 55 I I Chief Geologist P. Carrel France Dec. 1974 Oct. 1976 24 Economic Geologist

I I F. Sumi Yugoslavia Oct. 1974 Mar. 1978 40 Geophysicist I I B. Zitek Czechoslovakia Feb. 1975 Mar. 1978 37 Chief Geochemist

T. Davenport United Kingdom Apr. 1975 Feb. 1976 12 II Field Geochemist

F. Baumann Canada Mar. 1976 July 1976 4 I I Consultant

I I B. Government staff II U Kyi Soe Project Co-Director Geologists Geologists (continued)

I I U Zaw Pe U Tin Swe

U Danny Sein U Kyi Tun

I I U Khin Maung Aye U Soe Thi Ha I I U Tin Hlaing U Nyunt Htay U Tin Maung Thein U Nyunt Swe I I

I I - 21 - I~I I ,"f

Annex 2 (continued)

Geologists (continued) GeocheJl)~sts

U Myint Swe U Shwe Gaung Lay U Khin Maung Aye U Kyaw Soe US. Lwin Than Daw Kh1n Kh1n Win U Ko Ko Daw Thit Thit Hla U Aye San Daw Myat Myat Sein U Kyaw Sein

U Tet Sein Geophysicists U Sein Tun U Tin Myint 00 U Tint Naung U Win Myint u U Kyaing Sein U Nyunt Sein P U Saw Andrew Htwe U Tauk Tut U Ohn Maung U Thein Htun U Ye Maung Tin U Mya Thaung U Than Aung U Khin Maung Htay U Htein Win U Kyaw Soe U Htein Lynn U U Tin Than D U Soe Kyi Drilling Engineer U U Aung Gyi U Ba Soe G U Tin Hlaing U Tin Maung Win U Shyam Draftsmen U p U Sein Aung Win U TUll Aye U Richard Shwe U Tun Shin U U Kyaw Win C U Khin Pyone U Tint U Tin Wan U Myo Myint Swe D U Khin Sein G U Saw Naung U Hla Than U Htay Win D U Thein Han U Hla Tun G U Maung Maung Nyo U Ko Ko U U Ba Kyi G

U E A

U G

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_1 "+n=l

ANNEX 3

UNITED NATIONS FELLOWSHIP AWARDS

Nominee/Post Study Place of study Duration

U Kyi Soe Geological survey Geological Surveys and Oct 73 - Feb 74 Project Co-Director organization Institutes of IRAN, TURKEY, UNITED KINGDOM, FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF GERMANY, GERMAN DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC AND CANADA.

- do - Study tour Seminar, PHILLIPPINES July 1977

U Sein Myint Geological survey Geological Survey, Sept 74 - Oct 74 Director General organization FINLAND.

U Zaw Pe Geologic Geological Survey of Feb 76 - Oct 76 Geologist I mapping MALAYSIA and Bureau of Mineral Resources, AUSTRALIA.

U Than Naing Photogeology University of Aston, Sopt; 74 - Aug 75 Photogeologist 11 United Kingdom.

U Shwe Gaung Lay Analytical Geological Survey, Jan 76 ... Jan 77 Chemist II chemistry FINLAND.

Daw Khin Khin Than Library and Geological Survey, Aug 77 - Dec 77 Geologist V documentation FINLAND.

Daw Thinn Thinn Phyu Mineralogy Geological Survey, Aug 77 - (J un 78) Geologist IV FINLAND.

U Nyunt Htay Geochemistry Bureau of Mines, Jan 77 - (Sept 78) Geologist IV PHILIPPINES.

U Myo Mying Electronic CANADA Jan 78 - Mar 78 Electronic engineering Assistant 11

U Tet Sein Geochemistry US Geological Survey, Mar 78 - (Dec 78) Geochemist IV United States 0f America

- 23 - 'IN -T~ ,..,...._._._.._~_..,._~..""-, '"" I ) I I I I I I I ANNEX 4 I MAJOR ITEMS OF EQUIPMENT PROVIDED BY UNDP I

,j, Descripticn Quantity [

Vehicles 22 I Vehicles (transferred from BUR-72-00l) 3 Drill rigs with accessories 3 I Drill rigs with accessories (from BUR-72-00l) 3 Drill rigs with accessories (from BUR-7l-Sl6) 1 Mercury analyzer (MAS-SO) 1 I Induction furnace 1 1 r: Atomic absorption spectrophotometer AA-l7SB I [ Background corrector - AAS 1 Jaw crusher 1 I Disc grinder 1 Ball mill 1 Magnetic separator 1 I Super panner 2 Induced polarization system (I.P.) 1 I Gamma-ray spectrometer 2 Flux-gate magnetometers 3 I Proton magnetometer 1 Magnetic susceptibility meter 1 Turam EM system 1 I Scintillometers 2 Oscilloscope 1 I Polarizing microscopes 3 Transceivers 3 I Mirror stereoscopes 4 Diazo printer 1 Ricoh copying machines 2 I Kail reflecting project 1 Duplicator 1 Movie projector, l6-mm 1 Overhead projector 1

- 24 - , , , .' .. r , UNITED NATIONS NATIONS UNIES UN

'011'A" AODII.II-401l.0I. "O"A". UNIT'. NATION', N.V. 10017 ...... ADDII.'t-ADII••••"T.l..IIIA""I.U. UNATION. N••'OIlR BC 132/226/2 BURMA (12)

pot per how the mig of

I have the honour to refer to the project "Mineral Exploration" the '(BUR-72-002) undertaken in Burma with the assistance of the United of Nations Development Programme, for which the United Nations served as executing agency, and to transmit a technical report of the United Nations entitled "Geology and Mineralization of the Shangalon Copper co­ Prospect and Surroundings" (DP/UN/BUR-72-002/l0). wit ava The reports deals specifically with the work perforraed by the app United Nations and national government personnel during the period so January 1975 to May 1977 at the Shangalon copper prospect. Details par are provided of thegeologi~, geochem1~al, geophysical and diamond unl drilling activities which were conducted in order to evaluate the you prospect and reach conclusions on its economic potential. Although the anomalies disclosed at Shangalon during the systematic regional geochemical reconnaissance and geologic mapping IJf the Banmauk­ Kawlin G-area in date 1974 indicated a promising target f.Jr further examination, the results embodied in this report only ind:tcate sub­ economic grades of mineralization and do not justify further exploration for the present in the main prospect area or in its immed:Late surroundings.

These conclusions were reached as a result of extensive field work involving geologic mapping, combined geoelr... ctr Ic , magnet.Le and radiometric surveys, geochemical soil sampling and diamond drilling o'ver an area of approximately 20 sq km, in addition to the chemical analysis of over 16,700 samples. A total of 33 holes were drilled during the programme, aggregating 8,785 feet.

1 •• .. r UNITED NATIONS • NATIONS UNIES

- 2 -

Estimations, based on drilling results, indicate a maximum potential tonnage of 9 million tons grading 0.23 per cent, 0.17 grams per ton of gold and trace quantities of molybdenum. Even these low grades, however, are contained in small sections and all not continuous throughout the prospect. Thus, in considering any future mining operation that might be based on these unproven reserves, account would have to be taken of the dilution effect, with further lowering of the mininR grade.

We should appreciate your informing us, through the Office of the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme, of your comments on the report.

This report represents technical contributions prepared with the co-operation of the United Nations Development Programme. In conformity with the agreement governing such co-operatiofi, the report should be available for utilization by all interested parties. We should, therefore, appreciate your Government's agreement to the derestriction of the report so that it may be placed on open file and made available to all interested parties. Your Governme~t's concurrence to derestriction will be assumed, unless you inform us, within six months of the date of this letter, that you wish the report to remain restricted.

Accept, Sir, the assurances of my highest consideration.

r:» r- (oJ~' ~ CL_.A------~ , 7" .--/"'....-..I ",'-.• r. ,~- Findley Burns,'"Jr. ... . ' ...~ Director of Operations Department of Technical Co-operation fo!' Developlnent

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