"Burma continued with a mineral development program that was constrained mainly by the country?s paucity of capital funds and the policy of not allowing foreign private investment. Mineral development projects under way for many years, in most cases, have been completed and have resulted in increased production of minerals or in lower unit costs because of the renovation and improved technology. Burma is well endowed with a variety of mineral resources. About 30 different minerals were produced in commercial quantities in 1985. Barite, cement, copper, gem stones, gypsum, lead, silver, steel ingots, tin, tungsten, and zinc were the most important of the nonfuel minerals. The most critical mineral-related problem in the country has been inadequate crude oil production. A modest amount of development drilling has been under way for years by the Government-owned Myanma Oil Corp. (MOC). The level of exploration drilling, however, has increased considerably in recent years. Crude oil production peaked in 1980 and has generally declined slowly since then, giving the exploration drilling a sense of urgency as MOC tries to find new deposits. Also, since 1980, increased industrialization has forced the demand for petroleum to climb steadily. The Government has a policy of not importing crude oil, which has heightened the energy shortage and hindered economic progress..."