The research area is situated about 8 miles (12.87 km) east of Yamethin and it occupies the western marginal zone of the Shan Plateau, covering about 24 square miles (62.2 km2). The area is mainly composed of metasedimentary rocks and granites. The metasedimentary rocks include metamorphosed Lower Paleozoic rocks and they are intruded by two types of granite; porphyritic and non-prophyritic biotite granite. The Lebyin Group consists of mudstone, pebbly graywacke and slate unit and exposed in the eastern and northeastern part of the area. The metamorphosed Lower Paleozoic rocks consist of three rock units: M1 (calc silicate rocks, marble and skarn), M2 (Metagraywacke and phyllite), and M3 (mica schists, quartzite and gneisses). The granites are of two types; porphyritic biotite granite and biotite granite. The radiometric dating on granites emplacement is possibly Cretaceous to Early Eocene. Gold and pyrite bearing quartz veins are encountered in slate and mudstone units of Lebyin Group.