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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.

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