A rare jade mine has been discovered in north
China's
Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region and experts
are surprised by its huge reserve and high quality of the precious
stone.
The jade ore, found in Dashetai in Urad Front Banner, Inner
Mongolia, has an exposed part of nearly 30 million cubic meters,
according to the local government.
The mine, discovered at an altitude of 1,815 meters, came into
being about 1.8 billion to 2.4 billion years ago, according to
geological and jewel experts.
The jade, which has been officially named "Shetai jade', is of
high quality in terms of rigidity and the size of the pieces,
experts said.
The Urad Front Banner government is discussing how to develop
the jade mine and is planning to build a 66-hectare processing
center.
(Xinhua News Agency November 18, 2007)
