Beside of Mogok
another mining area has
been established in 1992 this is Mong Hsu Gemsland.
This was a small town in upper Myanmar and after the
declaration by the government a bonanza was started
now there are already more than 500 companies
working in gem mining gems at around 2000 plots.
The main gemstone
bearing area is at Loi Sating Htawk mountain, about
12 km from Mong Hsu town. Usually the government
grants mining rights on around 60sqm for 3 years.
Higher prices are asked for plots reputed for high
quality gemstones.
High valued mines
are at Loi Saung Htauk
Hill with ruby bearing upper paleozoic marble, large
holes are dug up to extract these marbles are broken
apart to extract rubies. Rough rubies obtained from
these "Ge Twin" or holes are highly valued.
Miners also dug up "Lu
Twin" which sometimes are around hundred meters
deep. These ' Lu Twins ' are naturally created
caverns of lime stones. The rubies fall away from
marbles due to erosion from underground streams.
Pieces of rubies may be embedded in the sands and
pebbles of these 'Lu Twins'.
Many precious stones
were dug up from "Lu Twins" but prices offered are
lower than those obtained from marbles. "Ge Twins"
and " Lu Twins" are dug up over the hills while some
people search for rubies in the stream at the base
of the hill. Everything looks a bit crude but lots
of money is being made in this areas. They virtually
just bring the hills down, which finally wont matter
anyway since this are simple bare hills, no much
vegetation. |
