A South Korean team will conduct a second round of joint on-site inspections of North Korean mines in South Hamgyeong Province starting this Saturday.

A Unification Ministry official said Monday that the 15-member inspection team will visit three mines in North Korea's Danchon to assess their suitability for development on a five-day tour that ends November 17th.

The first round of inspections was conducted between late July and mid-August as part of an agreement under which Seoul will provide technology to boost North Korean light industry in exchange for access to the North's natural resources.

South and North Korea agreed to hold three rounds of such inspections this year.

Meanwhile, another South Korean technical assistance team will make a second visit to the North to help the communist country’s light industry. The first visit was made in August.

South Korea agreed to offer some 80 million dollars' worth of raw industrial materials to the North to help it produce clothing, footwear and soap starting in 2006. In return, North Korea allowed South Korea to develop three mines in the North.