Gold prospecting resumed [Archives:2005/804/Local News]

Canadian Caltex Company for Mining announced resumption of exploratory works for mining in Saadah Governorate starting at the beginning of 2005. This step is to develop the national revenues especially that the Company has reached encouraging results from laboratory tests conducted on the soil and rocks in al-Huraiqah zone in the northern governorate of Sa'adah. The tests indicated existence of gold, nickel, copper and cobalt ores. The company's works had ceased due to battles between the governmental forces and followers of Hussain al-Houthy who led a rebellion that was ended by his death.

According to sources in the Geological Survey Authority, Yemen needs to continue exploratory works during the next period, and encouragement of local and foreign capitals for investment in mineral sources sector.

There is also a sign of the possibility of finding gold in Wadi Muden, Hadhramoute besidesa reserve estimated by 678000 tons containing a ratio of 15 gm of gold per ton. in addition to its existence in Abyan, al-Baidha, Sana'a, and al-Jawf zones within the old rocks.

The sources say that the serious thinking in encouraging the investment in mineral wealth comes from survey results which assured existence of about 4 millions tons of copper and nickel in al-Hamoorah zone, Taiz Governorate, and in North Mukalla. There have been a number of discoveries of ancient silver mines in al-Redhradh zone in Nehm and important mining of zinc and lead with a reserve estimated by about 3073 millions tons at an average ratio of 15.3%, and 1.6% respectively within the sedimentary rocks in the southern edge especially in Shebwah and al-Musilah.

The surveys show iron minerals in Mukiras, and Saadah as well as several minerals and industrial rocks available in qualitative and commercial quantities which await funds and modern techniques. The Geological Survey Authority with the cooperation of foreign specialized research teams have determined raw nonmetallic residues of economic values most important of which are rocky salts, limestone, marble, plaster, dolomite, Kaolin, Silica sands, granite, and volcanic glass, basalt and other raw materials classified as industrial rocks.
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