Satellite mapping to locate gem deposits

by Anjana Samarasinghe

The Gem and Jewellery Research and Training Institute (GJRTI) in collaboration with National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) has made arrangements to create a digital map with details of areas of where gems are found in Sri Lanka using satellite images.

Director of GJRTI Thilak Dharmarathne said that there is no scientific method to find gem producing areas.

We expect to create 3-D maps with the classification of gems, he said. We have still discovered only 3% of the total gem deposits in Sri Lanka. Gem deposits can be categorised as primary gem deposits and secondary gem deposits.

The industry should concentrate on primary gem deposits, he said. NGJA also has taken action to prevent illegal gem mining. Nearly 25000 illegal gem miners have been reported engaged in this trade this year.

According to our project before releasing gem lands for auctions, GJRTI will submit an environmental impact assessment of the lands to the Authority, Chairman of NGJA Asoka Jayawardena said.

At the auction, NGJA will keep deposits from the buyer. After mining the buyer will be able to obtain the deposit if he maintains the land without any damage to the environment.

Our main objective is to maintain the gem mining industry as eco-friendly and prevent illegal mining. We have done assessments on our Kantale lands and the NGJA expects to earn around Rs 1.5 million from these lands Jayawardena said.