Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
The Tibetan plateau has rich deposits of gold, zinc, chromium, silver, boron, uranium
and other metals. The plateau is home to most of China's huge copper reserves. A single
mine in northern Tibet is said to hold over half the world's total deposits of lithium, while
the Changtang holds five billion tonnes of oil and gas. Reports indicate mining now ac-
counts for one-third of Tibet's industrial output. Mining has long been traditionally inimic-
al to Tibetans, who believe it disturbs the sacred essence of the soil. The Chinese name for
Tibet, Xīzàng - the Western Treasure House - now has a ring of prophetic irony.
Rapid modernisation threatens to bring industrial pollution, a hitherto almost unknown
problem, onto the high plateau. Mass domestic tourism is also beginning to take its toll,
with litter and unsustainable waste management a major problem in areas like Nam-tso
and the Everest region.
Sustainable Energy
Tibet has abundant supplies of geothermal energy thanks to its turbulent geological history.
The Yangpachen Geothermal Plant already supplies Lhasa with much of its electricity.
Portable solar panelling has also enjoyed some success; the plateau enjoys some of the
longest and strongest sunlight outside the Saharan region. And experimental wind-power
stations have been set up in northern Tibet.
But, much to the dismay of worried environmental groups worldwide, it's Tibet's
enormous potential for hydroelectricity that has been the focus of the Chinese government
in recent years. The undisputed heavyweight champion of dam building, China has 24
