China is to start the construction of Tibet's Yulong copper mine, the country's largest with 6.5 million tons of reserves, next month.

Yulong Copper Industry Company aims to put the mine into operation within three years, said general manager Li Jinqian at a meeting in Lhasa, capital of Tibet.

The mine will produce 50,000 tons to 100,000 tons of electrolytic copper every year after two phases of construction, said Li.

The company will emphasize environmental protection in building the copper mine with measures including land rehabilitation and the recycling of used water, Li said.

Investors signed an agreement last April to set up the Yulong Copper Industry Company for tapping the mine in Yulong Township, Jomda County of Qamdo Prefecture, Tibet.

The joint venture has a registered capital of 625 million yuan (US$78.1 million).

(Xinhua News Agency April 7, 2006)