GSMB successfully implementing mining projects

Nimal WIJESINGHE -Anuradhapura Additional District group corr

The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) is successfully implementing river sand mining projects.

Presently the GSMB sand mining projects are in operation at Manampitiya, Seruwila close to the Somawathi sacred area and Randenigala.

GSMB Chairman Dr. N.P. Wijayananda said mining is executed scientifically without harming the environment.

“Our concern is mainly focused on empowering Samurdhi recipients. At the Manmpitiya sand mining project out of 183 sand miners 121 are “Samurdhi” low income group families. The average monthly income of these sand miners are Rs. 35,000”.

80 percent of sand from the Manampitiya Mahaweli river bank comes to the Colombo and Gampaha districts.

At the commencement of the mining in July last year there were 8,505 cubes of sand and last January it has increased to 15,534 cubes,” he said.

According to Dr. Wijayananda the mining is handled by G.S.M.B. Technical Services (Pvt) Ltd which is a fully government owned business undertaking.

The GSMB is mindful about safety of the river banks of Mahaweli located in the mining areas and precautionary actions have been taken to prevent erosion.

“We restructure the bank areas using soil, and a coir net is placed beneath it. Grass and suitable trees are planted along the belt not allowing the river banks to erode,” Dr. Wijayananda emphasized.