Abstract

• The Late Eocene coal-bearing Yaw Formation and Early Oligocene Shwezetaw Formation are exposed in the western part of the Salin sub-basin, Magway Region, records part of the forearc basin. At least twelve heavy mineral species are identified from the sandstones of Yaw and Shwezetaw formations. High maturity index of the middle part of the Shwezetaw Formation may indicate that these heavy minerals came from a long way or there was abundance of stable minerals in source area. Well-rounded grains of zircon, garnet, tourmaline, and rutile are derived from the pre-existing metasedimentary rocks and euhedral crystals were probably derived from acid igneous rocks. Rutile is widespread accessory mineral in metamorphic rocks and it is less significant in igneous rocks. Kyanite, sillimanite, staurolite and garnet were derived from high grade metamorphic rocks. The association of augite and magnetite may indicate basic igneous source. The most sediment in the Shwezetaw-Padan coal mine area were probably derived from recycled orogen including foreland uplift or subduction complex (Western Ranges), Central Igneous Line and mixed magmatic arc (Salingyi Uplift).