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The AAPG/Datapages Combined Publications Database

Southeast Asia Petroleum Exploration Society (SEAPEX)

Abstract


Offshore South East Asia Conference, 1976
Pages 23-41

Offshore Exploration for Mineral Resources in South East Asia

Eoin H. MacDonald

Abstract

Increasing concern for the long term adequacy of onshore mineral resources has directed the attention of many explorers to offshore areas of South East Asia where proven reserves of cassiterite and magnetite have been worked at shallow depths for a number of years.

This paper describes the categories of minerals that may be found and stresses the importance of co-operation between regional and exploration groups. It considers that a detailed investigation of onshore provenance and Quaternary sea level history is needed to delineate new and presently unknown areas for detailed examination, and that a great deal is still to be learned of the known areas already under investigation.

A short description is given of recently developed geophysical tools and mechanical equipment used for exploration and sampling and it is noted that practical mining difficulties may limit the potential of the sea bed until the need for ocean resources becomes more critical.

The most important mineral deposits in South East Asian waters are likely to be those containing metallic heavy minerals. However, there may be considerable scope for finding industrial minerals, such as sand and gravel, and some indications of phosphorus mineralization have been given near Christmas Island.

The paper sounds a general warning of the costs involved in any offshore exploration program and suggests that local exploration should be done only where the indications of success favorably compare with the costs of failure.


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