The exploitation of beach sand deposits at Pulmoddai will be accelerated and expanded by the Ceylon Mineral Sands Corporation (CMSC).
It is estimated that the deposit in the Pulmoddai beach zone would be six million tons of heavy minerals, such as, Ilmenite, Zircon and Rutile.
CMSC sources said about 1.07 billion tonnes of sand with seven to eight percent heavy minerals mainly comprising Ilmenite, according to investigations carried out by agencies, such as, Iluka Resources Limited of Australia, in the North Western coastal belt.
Heavy mineral sand deposits discovered at Nayaru, Thenkkalu and Puduvokkadu between Mullaitivu and Nilaveli by the Geological Surveys and Mines Bureau are to be utilized.
According to the CMSC sources, other beach mineral sand deposits are at Induruwa Beruwela (rich in Monazite Zircon and Garnet), mouth of Kelani River (Ilmenite), North of Negombo (Ilmenite), Kudiramalai Point (Monazine), South of Mannar (Ilmenite), Devinuwara (Ilmenite and Garnet), Tirukkovil (Ilmenite) and Hambantota (Garnet).
Exports of minerals, such as, Ilmenite, Rutile and Zircon in 2009 and 2010 were 181,065, 4826 and 19,432 tonnes by bringing Rs 2,165 million to the CMSC.
Ilmenite and Rutile are utilized in the production of Titanium Dioxide Pigment (TDP) and Timetal which are major applications in paints, plastic, paper, rubber, ceramics, textiles and cosmetics. Titanium is used in aerospace industry casting jet engines and chemical plants.
Zircon is used for refractures.
http://www.dailynews.lk/2011/10/22/news50.asp
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