The principle rocks at Kyauk-pyat-that-atay-pyant (Plains of the Stone Roof Tier) are phlogopite-forsterite marble and other types of marble. The area is noted by numerous long, twisting interconnected tunnels, caves and loos (twisted holes), some of them with obvious signs of previous and repeated intense mining activities. In the mid-1990s there was intensive mining in progress. In 2001 the mining area was deemed unprofitable and it was closed. Large faceting and cabochon-grade
sapphires,
rubies,
spinels and other gems were found throughout in the alluvium. The stones were recovered using
loo-dwin and
myaw-dwin mining methods.
Ref: Ted Themelis (2008) Gems and Mines of Mogok, p. 261
Gemstone List