COUNTRY BACKGROUND - Gross National Happiness Commission

Mineral Development
19.24 It is equally important for a cadre of geologists and engineers to be trained for both the private sector and
the Department of Geology and Mines. This is particularly important if Bhutan is to indigenise the manpower in
mining and quarrying sector. This will be one of the main strategies in the 7FYP to alleviate the acute shortage of
manpower in the latter part of 7FYP and 8FYP.
19.25 Prospects for increasing mining and quarrying, by either the public sector companies or the private sector
companies will therefore depend crucially on the scale of investigation mounted by the personnel of Department of
Geology and Mines as well the Geological Survey of India, Bhutan Unit. Most of the staff of Department of
Geology and Mines for most of the times have to be out in the field undertaking surveys. The provision of field
equipment for on site studies of rocks and minerals and camping facilities are therefore crucial to their general
performance in the field.
19.26 Mining activities have as yet not caused any major environmental problems. Most of the mining can be
described as small scale rat hole mining. The situation is however likely to change when more mineral raw
materials are required to feed an increasing number of mineral based industries and more mechanised methods of
extraction are introduced. To take into account the likely environmental problems that may occur, environmental
regulation pertaining to not only the mining sector but also other sectors, will be framed and introduced in the
7FYP. A well defined mining act will be finalised to regulate mining activities. The Mining Act will update the
existing mining regulations of 1989 which were approved as an interim measure. Mineral development policy will
also be developed,including mineral taxation policy, mines safety rules, environment protection rules etc.
19.27 As part of an active environmental management, the Department of Geology and Mines will provide the
necessary services to assess the environmental impact of projects in other sectors. The Department of Geology and
Mines will undertake systematic field surveys of geological and geochemical factors involved in projects.
Geo-technical assessments will be undertaken to assist agencies involved in road and dam site construction,
agriculture, forestry and land use planning etc.
IV. Development Programmes for the 7FYPIV. Development Programmes for the 7FYP
Construction of DGM BuildingConstruction of DGM Building
19.28 A multipurpose building to house both laboratory facilities and offices will be built. The establishment of
laboratories facilities is of the highest priority in view of the programmes which depend on its use. It will be
probably located in Central Bhutan. It would provide space for housing, laboratory equipments and accessories,
storage of valuable drilling cores, survey and drawing equipments.
Geological information systemGeological information system
19.29 The geological literature on Bhutan has grown but information systems have not been developed to collect
and analyse the data. Geological data is thus scattered and are difficult to access in times of need. The situation has
hampered field investigations. In 7FYP, library facilities will be expanded by the development of a computerised
data base management system and subscriptions to relevant books and international journals on geology, mines,
and mineral industries. The Department of Geology and Mines will publish its own journal and bulletins to inform
the private sector of its activities and findings.
Drilling machineryDrilling machinery
19.30 Exploration drilling by the Department of Geology and Mines at present depends on contract drilling
services from India. With the expansion of exploration drilling, it would be more cost effective for the Department
to have its own skilled drill technicians and drilling machineries. During the 7FYP, 15 detailed explorations are
envisaged, which would require 3 additional tone boring drill machines, water pumps, accessories, spare parts, etc.
Surveying and Drawing Equipment Surveying and Drawing Equipment
19.31 The survey team of the Department of Geology and Mines has to prepare base maps at a scale of 1:2000 to
1:500 during detailed mapping of mineral deposits or preparation of mine designs. The drawing cell of the
Department has to make geological maps and illustrate geological reports. However, the Department has
inadequate survey and drawing equipment. To strengthen the survey and design cell, the following equipment will
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