"الملف 35/64 III المعادن في عُمان. أبحاث علماء جيولوجيا مدرساي" [ظ‎‎١‎٨] (٢٧٦/٤٥)

6
It is, however, almost certain that the coal is of much greater distribution
This is to be concluded from geological reasons and from native report*
received, r 8
The formation in which the coal is found appears to preserve the same
characteristics over a distance of several miles, and as these characteristics are
proved to be consistent with the occurrence of workable coal, it is reasonable to
expect that the seam examined is not the only one or else of larger extent.
This conclusion is to a certain extent borne out by native reports, of which
one related by a bama in Maskat may here be communicated, as it contains
nothing that did not agree with facts known to myself.
From the description of the hania I gathered that there is an exposure
of coal in the mam valley alluded to above to the S.E. of the locality which I
inspected. It is quite uncertain how far this exposure is distant from the one
1 examined. It is described as being a superficial exposure in the bottom of
the valley, that is to say, the overlying limestones have there for some distance
been denuded away. The length of the exposure is said to be 300 feet. The
thickness of the seam 4 to 5 feet, and the coal is described as crumbling easily.
These data would point to the exposure belonging to the same seam as that
seen by myself, but in the absence of further proofs it would of course be
wrong to draw more definite conclusions.
The data, therefore, on which to form an estimate of the total quantitv of
available coal are insufficient, but there is reason to suppose that the seam
examined by me is ei her not the only one, or else is of large enough extent S
justify mmmg operations. 5 tu
Por mining the Sur coal offers several important advantages. The coal is
Co 5^S s for 7 r 6 ln places ex P osed superficially, and can therefore I
-i * suppose, to some extent be extracted in open workings. Where
covered by overlying rocks, its vertical depth from the surface will be found
inconsiderable. The overlying limestone beds afford a firm roof. The beds
including the coal are but little disturbed, and few faults are, therefore, likelv to
0n the other hand, attention must be drawn to the absence in the countrv
dontoyslro Jsed! 7 traM P ort ' which will be expensive if camels ^
inthrvSfo y ffheTo t aTsSm. alSObe " alth0U S h there are ^
At present the coal is only worked occasionally by surface scratchings.
No native 0 ^ ce ^ quantity of 8 tons was brought to Maskat bv an
operaticms. bania ' but tllere is 80 far n o market lot the^oal
in Maskat.
Geological Survey of India
■i
tl ^ (^0 a. von keafet.
The 21st June 1901,
Eoreign Office Press—No. 1062-9-7-01—51,