'THE GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF DHUFAR PROVINCE, MUSCAT AND OMAN' [‎36r] (61/96)

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fixed carbon (in total percentages). It is thus a carbonaceous or coal
shale (or possibly an oil shale).
t
Aluminium Ore or Bauxite
Although no bauxite has been located in Dhufar, it is to be
ted that Mr. Little has recorded a bauxitic shale (with 46%
alumina in the Cretaceous (Neocomian) beds of ’Arnuf el Dik
Sultanate of Makalla), and that another sample of a white powdery
Mmole gave as much as 67% of alumina. No statement is given of
ffie nercentage of silica in this material (an important factor in
dnminium ores) but the alumina is sufficiently high for the material
m become of economic interest. It is possible that at some future
date when the Argillaceous series in the Samhan hills scarp are
thoroughly examined, some similar, high alumina clay may be dis
covered close under the white, lithographic A lithograph is an image reproduced from a printing plate whose image areas attract ink and non-image areas repel it. limestones.
Buieding Stone
The Miliolitic limestones are already well known, so much so
that the dressed blocks and pillars from El Balad and other rums are
to away for new buildings and quarrying avoided. However
there are large quantities of this' freestone ’ available along the coast.
Further inland, among the Qara mountains, there is superior stone.
Eocene limestones, but they will be harder and more costly
quarry as dressed blocks. 'Their greatest usefulness, as a buddmg
material will be for lime-burning and cement manufacture (an
"L pu.it, .• W) tl>=, "‘‘S iS
chemical purposes, as will be explained). There are no easily
accessible sandstones which might be used in place of the uuliohte,
and the subject of sand for mortars and plasters and concrete wdl, I
think be concentrated on the sea-shore sands which must be both
calcareous and salt-impregnated. The f °[“ e ^ onS t 1 ^ously ll there
be a defect, but the salt may require washing ouh Cimously to
this province. T
1 Coae and Lignite
SO Fxceot for the carbonaceous material from beyond the
head of the Ghaiz wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. towards Ansant, ®t ^.ah,
lignitei. —