Copper in Lao PDR

In Loa PDR copper had been mined at Sepon ,Savannakhet province since 2005. Another copper mine is expected to bring into production in late 2007 in the area between Vientiane and Louang Prabang (Phu Kham mine). Further detailed exploration has been carried out in and around the Xanakham copper-gold deposit West of Vientiane. Geochemical prospecting by Intergeo Vietnam has revealed numerous copper anomalies. This indicates that there is a very good potential for further economic copper deposits in Lao PDR.
The known copper occurrences are associated with intrusive porphyries and the copper is frequently associated with gold. The copper mineral in the unweathered rock is mostly chalcopyrite whereas the copper in the supergene alteration zone is mainly chalcocite. A gold cap often covers the weathered zone over the copper-rich porphyries.
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		Phu Kham Copper Mine Sepon Copper Mine