Bhutan shifts from white gold to yellow gold
The lap of Himalayas may be curse for agricultural society but a boon if possibilities are searched for mineral extraction. For centuries this part of the world remained untouched from any exploitation. Fortunately and hopefully, the Himalayas could be the last resort of human search for precious metals.
Being part of the Himalayas, Bhutan has championed in exploitation of water resources that will be enough for the country for year round consumption even if country failed to grow any agricultural products.
The other untapped resources that this tiny kingdom has in abundant is precious stones. Latest reports say that department of geology and mines (DGM) has come across a rock sample with traces of gold in it in an area between Phuentsholing and Pasakha in southern district.
The department said though no big deposits are confirmed, some promising clues have been found. The samples tested b United States geological services (USGS) found 0.134 parts per million trace of gold, which is above average. Normally, the gold value in most rocks is 0.02 and anything above it is sign of gold, but gold deposits above 4.0 ppm is economically viable.
There were several visits by western geologists in the past years to test mineral mixture in soil of southern districts.
Indian survey had also found hints of gold mixture in soil collected from Jang Pangi in early 1990s. Traces of gold are in Siwalik rock and Buxa rock formation, which is around 10-15 km in thickness, and runs for around 200 km from west to east in the south.
The department is also looking other areas near Gurung Khola in Sarbhang and the Black Mountain area in Tongsa.
The mineral extraction will bring a new era in Bhutanese economy that is already heightened by the use of hydropower – the white gold.