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Heavy Mineral

Sri Lankan Heavy mineral industry

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Heavy Mineral

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  1. State-of-the-art and perspectives in the heavy mineral industry of Sri Lanka S.M.K. WIJESINGHE SEU\IS\18\BS\053 SOUTH EASTERN UNIVERSITY SRI LANKA FACULTY OF APPLIED SCIENCES

  2. CONTENT • Introduction • Objectives • Study area • Geology and Geomorphology • Methodology • Results and Discussion • Conclusions • References

  3. 1.Introduction • The global distribution of heavy mineral deposits, particularly along coastlines neighboring the Indian Ocean, is highlighted, with major deposits found in countries like Australia,China and Africa. • The focus then shifts to Sri Lanka`s heavy mineral industry, particularly its renowned deposits like Pulmoddai.

  4. 2.Objectives • The paper aims to provide the first assessment of the Sri Lankan heavy mineral industry compared to the global industry, using real-time data from Lanka Mineral Sands Limited (LMSL) over the last decade. • The study discusses the present status, existing drawbacks, challenges, and recommendations for uplifting the downstream heavy mineral industry in Sri Lanka, considering economic, legal, and political implications. • Share perspectives and new concepts to enhance the future of the heavy mineral industry in Sri Lanka. • The paper argues that the downstream heavy mineral industry in Sri Lanka is weak and emphasizes the need for examining regulations and addressing political roadblocks.

  5. 3.Study Area • Beruwala • Aruwakkalu • Kalutara • Dharga Town • Kaikawala • Kosgoda • Payagala • Dikwella • Verugal • Pulmoddai Figure 1

  6. 3.Geology and Geomorphology Kaluthara-Baduraliya – Pahiyangala Kosgoda Beach Pulmuddai Beach Figure 2

  7. 5.Methodology • Sediment samples were collected from these potential placers, including the coastline, and raised beaches. • Representative sediment samples were obtained from 10 locations (Aruwakkalu, Beruwala, Kalutara, Dharga Town, Kaikawala, Kosgoda, Payagala, Dikwella, Verugal, and Pulmoddai) covering the entire coastline of Sri Lanka. Muffle Furnace

  8. 1.Sample Preparation:. 2.Loss on Ignition (LOI) Determination: 3.Pellet Preparation: 4.Analysis: S8-Tiger Wavelength Dispersive XRF Spectrometer

  9. 6.Results and Discussion • Distribution • Heavy mineral placers are primarily found along the northeast coastline of Sri Lanka. • Southern coastline locations (mainly garnet) .InKirinda(both garnet and ilmenite) also exhibit heavy minerals. • Kalpitiya and Mannarin the northwest coastline are identified for heavy mineral placer deposits. • Feasibility studies report an average of 3–5% heavy minerals, occasionally reaching up to 10%. • But proper quantification is required. Fig. 1 Simplified geological map of Sri Lanka shows the identified heavy mineral resource availability

  10. 2.Geochemical composition TiO2, Fe2O3, and Al2O3 major indicators of ilmenite, leucoxene, and rutile, and minerals such as sillimanite and garnet.

  11. Depletion in major oxides: Na₂O, K₂O, MnO, MgO, CaO, P₂O₅.

  12. Presence of trace elements: La, Ce, Nb, Zr, Th. • Indicates REE-bearing heavy minerals: monazite, zircon.

  13. 3.Local Mineral Market • Exporting ilmenite in its raw format. • Contribution is extremely low, accounting for less than 1%. • No significant intermediate stage of value addition observed.

  14. 4.Global Market • Ilmenite have increased gradually, due to the growth of global demand for titanium based materials. • Therefore identification of new mines, expansion of existing mines, reworking of abandoned mines (if feasible), and adoption of updated or new technology .

  15. The estimations suggest that the compound annual growth rates of ilmenite are, • Global production -1.27% • Unit price - 1.43%.

  16. 5.Value Addition How can value be added to heavy minerals?

  17. 6.Action plan It is recommended to achieve the (SDGs) during mining and processing of heavy mineral commodities considering

  18. 7.Challenges and limitations 1. Absence of comprehensive policies and long-term strategies, despite a clear vision and mission. 2. Insufficient involvement of academia and scholars in policy and decision-making processes. 3. Inadequate investor support for the development of end-products utilizing HMs (presumably heavy metals). 4. Intense competition with countries like China in marketing intermediate value-added products. 5. Escalating labor and energy costs. 6. Potential high production costs, encompassing power expenses in mining, drilling, lower-grade ore processing, and labor costs, making it less competitive compared to other countries, particularly China. 7. Limited space for proper waste management and insufficient measures to minimize greenhousegas emissions during processing. 8. Lack of knowledge among officials and exploitation of legal loopholes.

  19. Conclusion • Identified numerous potential heavy mineral placer deposits along the coastal tract of Sri Lanka, primarily containing titanium-bearing minerals (ilmenite, leucoxene, rutile) and zirconium-bearing minerals (zircon). • Global production and unit prices of heavy minerals, exemplified by ilmenite, show healthy growth rates annually. • Most of the deposits showed enrichment of REEs compared to UCC values, and thus the abundance of highly valuable heavy minerals such as monazite. • The authors emphasize the timely need for Sri Lanka to add value to its heavy mineral resources, recommending the transformation of raw materials into end-products rather than exporting them in their raw form. • Emphasis on the government's responsibility to impose stringent regulatory measures on raw heavy mineral exports • Encouraging active engagement of both public and private sectors in heavy mineral value addition.

  20. References • Amalan K, Ratnayake AS, Ratnayake NP, Weththasinghe SM, Dushyantha N, Lakmali N, Premasiri R (2018) Influence of nearshore sediment dynamics on the distribution of heavy mineral placer deposits in Sri Lanka. Environ Earth Sci 77:737. https://doi.org/10. 1007/s12665-018-7914-4 • Condie KC (1993) Chemical composition and evolution of the upper continental crust: contrasting results from surface samples and shales. Chem Geol 104:1–37. https://doi.org/10.1016/0009- 2541(93)90140-E • Dushyantha N, Batapola N, Ilankoon IMSK, Rohitha S, Premasiri R, Abeysinghe B, Ratnayake N, Dissanayake K (2020) The story of rare earth elements (REEs): occurrences, global distribution, genesis, geology, mineralogy and global production. Ore Geol Rev 122: 103521. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.oregeorev.2020.103521 • Palliyaguru L, Arachchi NDH, Jayaweera CD, Jayaweera PM (2017) Production of synthetic rutile from ilmenite via anion-exchange. Miner Process Ext Metall 127:169–175. https://doi.org/10.1080/ 03719553.2017.1331621 • Wijewardhana TDU, Subasinghe HCS, Ratnayake AS (2021) Value addition to ilmenite using carbonized waste coconut shells: a mechanochemical approach aided with powdered seashells as a rate raiser. Min MetallExplor 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42461-021- • Zhang W, Zhu Z, Cheng CY (2011) A literature review of titanium metallurgical processes. Hydrometallurgy 108:177–188. https:// doi.org/10.1016/j.hydromet.2011.04.005 00420-z • Tivey J, Soraya N, Bellamy V, Djajadiredja (2014) Indonesia: domestic mineral processing and beneficiation in Indonesian mining sector. [Online] Available: https://www.mondaq.com/mining/327802/ domestic-mineral-processing-and-beneficiation-in-indonesianmining-sector. Accessed May 2021

  21. Thank You!

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