Structure and Mineralization

Structure and Mineralization

The Bawdwin mine area in the northern Shan State is situated on a structural platform as part of the Sino-Burma Ranges. Coggin Brown infers a direct association between the batholith and Bawdwin volcanic center. Brinckmann and Hinza showed that the Bawdwin Volcanics and Pangyun Sediments connected with the emplacement of the Bawdwin Rhyolite. The main mineralized zones at Bawdwin are located in fault zone which is NW - SE orientation. The most important for mineralization faults are Yunnan fault and Hsenwi fault. These fault are believed to have developed after the early Lead-Zinc-Silver mineralization of the Bawdwin ore body. The latest stage faulting is represented by transverse E-W faults which offsets the Yunnan and the Hsenwi fault systems.

The three ore bodies, from North to south, are arranged as follows;

The Shan Lode: This has an average width of  6m and maximum length is 380 m. The lead values are found to increase in the depth.

The chinaman Lode: This has been developed along the strike for more than 400 m and average width of 42 m. The lead values are fairly constant from top to bottom and sliver values are best on the No.3,4 and 5 levels in the Chinaman section.

Meingtha Lode: This lode has an average width of 6 m. Avove the No.6 level is the Lead-Zinc-Sliver similar to the Chinaman section. Below No.6 level is copper ore containing with nickle and cobalt.

Sr No.	Ore Bodies	Maximum Length	Maximum vertical dimension	Average Width
1	Shan Lode	380 m	350 m	6 m
2	Chinaman Lode	400 m	350 m	42 m
3	Meingtha Lode	550 m	450 m	6 m