Dolakha, November 4:

Tests carried out in Australia and America on slates found in Gagrophute of Alumbu VDC-9 in Dolakha district have revealed that these slates are of the best quality.

The mine, located 49-km from district headquarters Charikot and at an altitude of 7,500 feet, covers an area of 900 square miles. A report prepared by the Department of Geology and Mines says the mine could yield slates to cover an area of 26,908,775 square feet.

Tests carried in US laboratories have estimated the life of the mine as 133 years. The slate mine could prove a boon to the development of Dolakha and an additional source of revenue for the government. It is currently providing employment to over 300 people from Lapilang, Kalinchok, Bigu, Kho-pachangu and Alambu.

However, a local teacher expressed worries about the fact that many kids of the local Thami community were being used for transporting the slates instead of sending them to schools.

Slates extracted from the mine are being used as roofing material in several VDCs in Dolakha,

Ramechhap and Sindhupalchowk. Mine operators pay a lump sum amount on an annual basis.