State-of-the-art and perspectives in the heavy mineral industry of Sri Lanka

H. C. S. Subasinghe, Amila Sandaruwan Ratnayake () and K. A. G. Sameera
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H. C. S. Subasinghe: Uva Wellassa University
Amila Sandaruwan Ratnayake: Uva Wellassa University
K. A. G. Sameera: Geological Survey and Mines Bureau

Mineral Economics, 2021, vol. 34, issue 3, No 7, 427-439

Abstract: Abstract Heavy minerals have become an essential commodity in modern-day technology. The objective of this study is to examine the current status of the heavy mineral industry of Sri Lanka. The present study also examines the economic viability of potential heavy mineral placer deposits, based on geochemical data. Field investigations suggested the occurrence of heavy minerals as beach-placers, and inland/raised beach deposits along the coastline of Sri Lanka. Geochemical results showed the enrichment of TiO2, Fe2O3, Al2O3, and trace elements, and depletion of other major oxides such as Na2O, K2O, MnO, MgO, CaO, and P2O5. Consequently, it suggests the abundance of ilmenite, leucoxene, rutile, sillimanite, garnet, and rare earth element (REE)-bearing heavy minerals in potential placer deposits. In contrast, this study illustrates the exported quantity (in the weight ratio of 35:3:1) of ilmenite, rutile, and zircon minerals during the last decade. Ilmenite is the dominant heavy mineral in Sri Lanka, and thus, its production and price volatilisations are essential to understand the current status and predict the future behaviour of the heavy mineral industry. Statistical observations suggest that the global production and unit price variations of ilmenite have increased gradually from 1950 to 2015. Besides, the forecasted variations in annual global production and unit price changes of ilmenite indicate healthy compound annual growth rates of 1.27% and 1.43%, respectively. However, Sri Lanka has less contribution (

Keywords: Heavy minerals; Sri Lanka; Value addition; Sustainable utilisation (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1007/s13563-021-00274-3

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