'THE GEOLOGY AND MINERAL RESOURCES OF DHUFAR PROVINCE, MUSCAT AND OMAN' [‎39r] (67/96)

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cupriferous iron ore which was associated with veins in igneous
intrusions (decomposed dykes) at Fakhida, Aidma Ras el’Aqaba,
etc As the archaean peneplain has not been thoroughly examined
it is not possible to say whether the specular Hematite shown to me
occurs with any micaceous Hematite and in what quantity. I do
not think there can be any large deposit of Hematite for iron ore.
Lead Ore (Galena)
Among the specimens handed to me on my arrival at Salalah
on the 3rd February (see paragraph 32) was one of galena which was
reported to come from the Murbat area. When I got to Murbat on
the 11th February (paragraph 47) the Governor there, Sheik Ali bin
Salim, gave me to understand that the Lead ore (galena) was brought
from Garat Athetate, a day’s journey away, and that the man who
knew the place was ill. I was sorry about this as, subsequently, I
was handed a sample of several pounds weight which looked very
attractive. An assay of this Lead ore, made by Messrs. R. V. Briggs
& Co., Ltd., Calcutta, indicated 48-6% of Lead with 7 ounces of
Silver (to the ton of ore or about 15 oz. to the ton of Lead). It is
not an argentiferous galena, but it is a very rich Lead ore (in quality)
if the sample is at all representative of the ore-body. As I was
unable to see the occurrence and do not know if there are old mines
there or if the deposit is being worked at all, it is not possible to
sav whether it is a workable lode or not. It appears to occur in a.
limestone or marble, judging from the material adhering, and this
suggests that the galena is in the metamorphic rocks (those seen m
the low hills, Jabal Ali, just north of M . url ? at ) T w ^ 1 ^ 11
tinue north-eastwards along the foot of the Jabal Samhan scarp.
In this connection it may be said that pure galena contains 86 6/ 0
of Lead and 134% of Sulphur and is a sulphide of Lead. The well
known Bawdwin lead ore mines of Burma p^/of
averages about 23-0% of Lead (and carries 13-8^of Zmc ° 92/o ot
Copper and 17-7% of Silver to the ton of ore). The Garat Athetat
ore PP if present inworkable quantity, would be
ore to treat, and, as the smelting of such an ore
it is surprising that it was not used m making lead for bullets by
these tribesmen who scarcely move without firear .
Limestones
C Q^o/ nf the area of Dhufar is limestone country
86 Seeing that ^ /o ^the ama ^ ^ difierent kinds and
it would be surprising if the limeston T have pre
in very large quantities of va T lo ns gm ^ richness of northern
viously, under Dolomite, mentioned g Dolomite In the
Dhufar in high grade ^ Iagne S an id ^f t^e Hanun wadi A seasonal or intermittent watercourse, or the valley in which it flows. ’(near the
same area, but half-way down the side or me tianu v