Belgium funds for mining project:
Entire sand demand to be met in months
Private sector, government and international partners have agreed to
enter the sea sand mining business to end environmental problems and
reduce sand prices in the country.
The proposed sea sand mining and washing project in Muthurajawela
will reduce current sand prices and provide over 500 employment
opportunities, specially for the Western Province and the rest of the
country.
Sand minining: Since the ban on sand mining in rivers,
brooks etc, was imposed unscrupulous persons proned to deal
with illicit mining without legal authority bringingforth
environmental hazards. Picture shows the traditional pattern
of sand mining which is expected to replace with modern
machinery in the sea. |
At present the construction sector needs over 10,320,000 Metric tons
of sand per annum and the Western province needs 4,334,400 metric tons
of sand annually.
The entire sand supply is fulfilled by extracting sand from river
beds. According to the contractors the prices of sand is increasing day
by day. At present a cube of sand is Rs. 9000.00 and the Geological
Survey and Mines Bureau [GSMB] issues sand permits to dredging sand from
river beds.
CEO of the Lanka Orix Project Development Limited Engineer Nimal
Mendis says the proposed BOI Company under incorporation between
Dredging International NV, Belgium and Lanka Orix Project Development
Ltd. will take this task of offshore sand mining, washing, sieving and
grading to supply sand for the construction industry.
Dredging International, NV - Belgium rated as one of the largest
dredging and reclamation companies in the world will be the technology
provider for the project with financial assistance from the Flemish
Government of Belgium and KBC Bank, Belgium.
Lanka Orix Project Development Ltd act as the project promoter and
the Belgium government’s representatives have pledged to provide a grant
35 per cent and balance as an interest free loan for the sand washing
facility of the project.
Mendis said sea sand is being seen as a viable alternative to river
sand, the illicit mining of which has adversely affected rivers and
fragile ecosystems. The sand is to be pumped out from a 20 metre depth.
Several successful trial studies have been conducted.International
studies have backed deep sea sand utilization as a better and less
environmentally hazardous option, but Sri Lanka lacks the expertise.
According to the promoters of the project the Cabinet sub committee
chaired by the President Mahinda Rajapaksa has approved the project to
be implemented on “Fast Track” scheme to witness elimination of the
severe damage to the environment and supply sand to the construction
industry at affordable rates.
The Board of Investment has granted its approval for the project.
“Our Belgium partners with the concurrence with the Belgium
authorities are in the process of collecting data to formulate and
compile the feasibility study and the project covers North of Negombo,
Beruwala, Balapitiya and Muthurajawela off shore areas demarcated by
Geological Survey and Mines Bureau [GSMB] for exploration, he explained.
“We have suggested that the relevant government agency that could
spearhead this project be the Central Environmental Authority [CEA] as
this project is inclined towards protecting the rivers in the Sri Lanka
and the environment, he said.
The CEA will receive anticipated benefits as the implementing agency
of this project such as a complete ban on harvesting sand from river
beds, receipts of payments on royalties as applicable, commission on
sales of sand, employment for Sri Lankans islandwide, be a partner of
this pioneering project and transfer of modern technology.
Mendis said after the commencement of the project the company could
meet the entire sand demand of Sri Lanka within 16 months. |