Eppawala project activities to be expanded

Nimal WIJESINGHE-Anuradhapura Additional District group corr.

Production activities of the Eppawala apatite (rock phosphate) project is to be expanded. The Eppawala rock phosphate deposit is located at Eppawala in Anuradhapura district covering an area of seven square kilometres.

Lanka Phosphate Ltd Chairman Bandula Ellawala told the Daily News that it has been decided to open a new single super phosphate factory at the Eppawala deposit premises.

According to him, rock phosphate had a limited use as a fertilizer because of its poor solubility.

"Lanka Phosphate Limited is exploiting the deposit and powders the rock for use as a fertilizer in only long-term crops such as tea, rubber and coconut. The proposed fertilizer variety is being tested and experimented at Batalagoda Paddy Research Institute which has produced positive and encouraging results," the Chairman said.

He said that it is intended to get the Mahaweli Authority's patronage to ensure 1,500 cubic metres of water daily for processing the 'sulphuric acid' to be used in the manufacturing of single phosphate. Meanwhile, several geological experts emphasized that rather than operating a factory to produce a single super phosphate, it would be more advantageous productive and beneficial to take to the manufacture of Di-Ammonium phosphate or triple super phosphate; as a joint venture (foreign or local) with a recognized agency armed with expertise and equipment.

The Eppawala Phosphate Project has been able to produce 164,000 metric tons of rock phosphate fertilizer from 2006 to 2009 with sale amounting to nearly Rs 1,050 million.