'File 35/64 Mineral deposits in Dhofar' [‎15r] (33/126)

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I. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS
Introduction
1. In the middle of December 1946 the following message from
the External Affairs Department, Government of India, New Delhi,
was conveyed to me by the Home Department, Government of
Bengal, Calcutta: 'Sultan of Muscat has asked for Geologist to
survey Dhufar Area situated half-way between Muscat and Aden
on South Arabian coast from December 1946 to June 1947 (or as
soon thereafter as possible) extendable as experience shows necessary.
Climate is temperate compared with other areas in Arabia. Geological
Survey of India cannot spare Geologist and we are anxious to meet
Sultan's request if possible. Grateful to know urgently whether
you would be prepared to undertake survey and if so how soon and
on what terms.'
2. My reply to the Government of India, dated the 17th
December, 1946, stated: '. . . about seven years ago I went very
carefully into the subject of the geology of Southern Arabia, parti
cularly the areas of (i) the Samhan Hills, (ii) the coal-field 30 miles
west-south-west of Ras A1 Hadd and south of Sur, and (iii) the
region inland west-north-west of Mokalla. My opinion then was
that if all arrangements were properly made such an area as that
of Dhufar could be quickly assessed by an experienced geologist
perhaps in five days or a week and a definite statement given on
the geological structure and the possibilities of coal and oil, and
guidance be given for a subsequent systematic geological survey and
mineral exploration.' I indicated that I could do the work, as
outlined above, between mid-January and mid-February 1947,
'. . . otherwise I do not see how the investigation can be made, nor
do I think that a systematic geological survey should be taken in
hand until this preliminary mineral audit is carried out
3. There was already a considerable literature on travels and
explorations in Arabia, and I was aware of the several papers by
H. J. Carter, Esq. while Surgeon of the Honourable East India
Company's Surveying brig Palinurus, between 1845 and 1857,
and, of course, I knew of Dr. G. M. Lees' work as geologist with the
D'Arcy Exploration Company Limited, during the winter of 1924-25.
I had read the account by Mr. and Mrs. Theodore Bent of their
travels in Southern Arabia (1900, see pages 227 to 277) and also
those by Mr. Bertram Thomas (in his books. Alarms and Excursions
in Arabia, 1931, and Arabia Felix, 1932). From these books and