Charles W. Berry, a University of Utah professor of mining engineering, wants to help develop a lead-zinc mine in Nepal.
Berry just completed a three-week visit to the landlocked Himalayan kingdom. Nepal has no railroads and is one of the world's poorest countries, with an average per capita annual income of $300. Nine out of 10 people work as peasant farmers and laborers, while many work as guides for tourists and mountain climbers.Berry is working on a study commissioned by the United Nations Department of Technical Cooperation for Economic Development. To obtain funding, Nepal Metal Co., a mostly privately funded operation, wants an independent analysis of its Ganesh Hamil Zinc Mine. The mine, is about 13,500 feet above sea level, about 45 miles north of the capital city of Katnamdu.