LHASA, June 14 (Xinhua) -- Geologists have discovered another massive source of mineral water along the Qinghai-Tibet railway in the Tibet Autonomous Region, southwest China.

According to the regional geological and minerals exploitation bureau, the mineral water source in Damxung County can produce 3,000 tons of drinking water a day.

The discovery is the largest of more than 100 mineral water sources that have been found along the Qinghai-Tibet railway, which is Tibet's first rail link with the rest of the country and is scheduled to go into trial operation on July 1.

Lu Yan, a senior engineer with the bureau, said that areas along the Qinghai-Tibet railway are rich in lead, zinc, copper and mineral water resources.

Lu and his colleagues began searching for mineral water sources along the railway in 2001 when construction of the railway began.

Lu said, bottling of the Damxung mineral water could generate an annual output value of one billion yuan (125 million U.S. dollars).

"We have been thinking about what can be transported from Tibet to inland areas of China along the railway, now we find its mineral water," said Lu.

"Development of Tibet's mineral water resources will not only contribute to cargo transportation on the railway, it will also increase the value of local mineral water resources," he said.

A daily output of 3,000 tons of mineral water could fill 50 train cars, Lu said.

China began constructing the 26.2 billion yuan (3.16 billion U.S. dollars) railway in 2001. The Chinese government expects the project to boost Tibet's social and economic development, helping local residents improve their living standards. Enditem