The Director-general of China's Geological Survey Meng Xianlai says 20 million tons of copper ore has been mined in Tibet, one third of China's total copper resources.

Geologists have also discovered other16 large-scale mineral pits along the Yarlung Zangbo River and Nu river, with rich deposits of silver, lead, zinc and iron.

The vice governor of Tibet Autonomous Region, Nima Cering, says the government will put more resources into mineral prospecting to boost the local economy.

At present, the output value of minerals makes up only 4 percent of Tibet's GDP.

(Photo Source: xinhua)