It is reported that the government of Tibetan Autonomous Region issued a notice to forbid the exploitation of placer iron resources including heavy placer minerals, effective since January 1st 2008, to vindicate the normal exploration and development order of mineral resources, protect ecological environment and propel social stability and harmony.

The notice also regulates that all regional governments should organize an all around investigation over sand plants of their districts under jurisdiction within the time limit and urge full removal of all the enterprises exploring sand iron resources and their equipments away from mines and resume the environment of mining areas that have suffered ecological damages.

It is learned that this is the first ban of Tibetan Autonomous Region Government since the prohibition of placer gold last year.