Beach sand processing in Sri Lanka primarily focuses on the extraction and separation of valuable heavy minerals such as ilmenite, rutile, zircon, monazite, and garnet from coastal sand deposits. These minerals are used in industries like ceramics, paints, electronics, and aerospace.
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Key Aspects of Beach Sand Processing in Sri Lanka:
1. Locations of Mineral Sands
– Major deposits are found along the northeast (Pulmoddai), southeast (Hambantota), and southwest (Beruwala-Kalutara) coasts.
– Pulmoddai is home to one of the world’s richest mineral sand deposits, operated by Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd (a state-owned company).
2. Extraction & Processing Steps
– Mining: Sand is dredged or scraped from beaches using heavy machinery.
– Screening & Washing: Removes debris and separates fine sand.
– Gravity Separation: Uses spirals or shaking tables to concentrate heavy minerals.
– Magnetic & Electrostatic Separation: Further refines ilmenite (magnetic) and zircon/rutile (non-magnetic).
– Final Processing: Minerals are dried, graded, and packed for export.
3. Economic & Environmental Concerns
– Sri Lanka exports processed minerals to China, India, Japan, and Europe.
– Illegal sand mining has led to coastal erosion and habitat destruction.
– The government regulates mining through the Geological Survey & Mines Bureau (GSMB).
4. Challenges
– Environmental protests against unregulated mining.
– Competition from global suppliers like Australia and South Africa.
– Need for value-added processing (e.g., titanium dioxide production) instead of raw exports.
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Future Prospects
– Potential for rare earth elements (REE) extraction from monazite.
– Government initiatives to promote sustainable mining practices.
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