Yemeni geologist reveals facts about gold tunnel in Taiz
TAIZ, Oct. 18 (YPA) – Geological researcher Fahd Al-Baraq has revealed essential facts about the “Al-Hamura Dhi Samer” mine, located in the Haifan district of Taiz province.
In a Facebook post, he confirmed that it is not a productive mine, as commonly believed, but rather an exploratory tunnel established for geological studies and has not been actually exploited to date.
Al-Baraq explained that the “Al-Hamura” area has witnessed successive international and national companies exploring and studying the site over the course of four decades, noting that the true beginning was with the Romanian company “Geomin”, which had operated between 1978 and 1983.
The researcher sated that the Romanian company was the one that dug the current tunnel with the aim of determining the geological model of the ore, but it committed a technical error by preferring to drill inside the mountain instead of resorting to the more efficient surface exploratory drilling technique at this stage.
Al-Baraq, who serves as director of the Geological Museum at the Geological Survey and Mineral Resources Authority in Sanaa, pointed out that successive companies included Felix in 1997, followed by the Chinese company Aston Resources in 2005, and finally the Yemeni company Inmar in 2010. However, the project remained confined to “exploration agreements and contracts” between the Geological Survey Authority and the relevant companies, without transforming into an actual exploitation project.
He highlighted the geological significance of the region, explaining that the distinctive red color of the region’s mountains results from a surface layer called “gosan” or “iron hat,” which is rich in iron oxides such as hematite and is one of the most prominent indicators of the presence of copper sulfide deposits deep underground.
The geological researcher added that “copper is the primary ore in the Al-Hamoura mine”, accompanied by other important minerals such as nickel, cobalt, and titanium, explaining that the widespread rumors about the presence of gold in the region are not true, as this is not its geological environment, and studies have not proven its presence in concentrations that are economically feasible.
The researcher Fahd Al-Baraq stressed the need to address the mining issue in Yemen with a scientific and professional approach, noting that this sector is not based on dreams or widespread images and videos. Rather, it requires a strong infrastructure, a stable state, and societal awareness that protects these resources.
Al-Baraq concluded his remarks by saying, “Minerals are not extracted through enthusiasm, but through science and planning”, in an explicit call to initiate real investment based on studies and reliable data to ensure the optimal exploitation of Yemen’s resources.
AA