In the last two years geological workers in Tibet have found a large number of non-ferrous, ferrous and　 rare　 metals　 as　 well　as minerals, including iron, coal, copper, lead, zinc, mica, salt, arsenic and agate. In a number of cases sizable reserves have already been ascertained. This year, the work of prospecting reached 2.5 times the planned target for copper, and two times the target for coal.

The Great Proletarian Cultural Revolution greatly inspired the enthusiasm of the geological personnel. Last year, workers of the No. 3 geological brigade created the highest record in footage, efficiency, quality and cost of drilling in Tibet since liberation. Overcoming lack of oxygen and other difficulties, the members of the No. 102 drilling team of the No. 2 geological brigade created the record of covering 1,000 metres every month per drilling machine in mountains over 4,500 metres above sea level.

Party organizations of various levels of the Tibet Geological Bureau take active measures to train new Tibetan workers. Li Ya-ling, Party branch committee member and advanced worker, patiently teaches Tibetan workers reading, writing and production techniques to enable them to take up field work in the shortest possible time. Over 40 sons and daughters of Tibetan peasants and herdsmen formed the No. 1243 drilling team. With the concern of the Party and the help of Han workers, they became skilful operators of the new-type oil-pressure boring machine and over-fulfilled their prospecting task for the current year in September.

A mass movement for reporting signs of ore deposits has achieved good results. In 1972 alone, the number of people reporting clues reached more than 1,800 and over 400 ore points were discovered.

(This article appears on page 23, No. 49, 1973)