Systematic mining to minimise damages

Nimal Wijayatunga - Eheliyagoda special corr.

The National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA) has introduced a new system to land owners to reap maximum benefits of the hidden resources in lands adjoining roadways.

This method of systematic mining will protect adjoining roadways and minimise landslide threats and erosion caused by illegal mining near roads in various parts of the country. In the first stage, protective methods will be introduced for gem mining in lands next to tertiary roads and thereafter the system will be expanded to cover mining in reserved areas such as those close to waterways and rivers with minimum damage to property and environment.

The pilot project was introduced to gem miners of Dorakumbura and Paleegala in the Eheliyagoda region where instructions were given by NGJA Mining Engineer, C.W. Amrasiri and Eheliyagoda NGJA Area Manager P.M.J.L.K. Ranatunga. recently.

According to the new system, a side-wall should be built from the depth of each gem mine roughly two feet away from the road. In this connection the NGJA charge Rs. 30,000 as monitoring and consultation fee from each applicant and charge Rs. 10,000 for a permit that allows mining in reserved areas.