EIA green-lights heavy mineral mining project on Akkaraipattu coast

• EIA says positive impact of project far outweighs negative impact 
• Says threat to rare and endemic plants species, lagoons and mangroves can be mitigated with proper monitoring system 
• Total project to cost $ 40.5 m with developer’s parent company Capital Metals
• Main varieties of heavy minerals along this coastal stretch include ilmenite, rutile, zircon, garnet and sillimanite
• EIA report open for public inspection till 21 Feb.

By Chandani Kirinde 

The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) report on the proposed heavy mineral mining project along the Akkaraipattu to Komari Coastal stretch has given the project the go-ahead claiming its positive impact far outweighs any negatives.

The report however warned that two rare plant species, five endemic plant species and twelve nationally threatened (vulnerable) plant species, had been recorded on sand dunes in the area, and that mining of such an important habitat will have major impacts on the ecology and biodiversity in the area.

The EIA added that while lagoons and mangroves will not be directly affected by the proposed heavy mineral mining as these are found only in the surrounding area and not within the mined area, indirect disturbances on wildlife within the lagoon and mangrove patches could be anticipated. According to the report, the surrounding ecology and biodiversity would be affected by the dust, noise and vibration generated by the proposed mining activities.

It noted that mitigatory measures will need to be adopted in order to minimise the impact on the plants, lagoon and mangroves, and as such recommended a monitoring plan be implemented to ensure the early detection of any undesirable side effects.

The total cost for the proposed project is expected to be $ 40.5 million. The proposed project developer’s parent company is Capital Metals Ltd. BVI, UK, a well reputed mining investment company, with mining operations in many parts of the world, the EIA report added.

“The company comprises a highly effective international team of mining professionals with a combined industry experience of more than 150 years and has the necessary export channels in position to readily market the heavy mineral sands products from this project,” stated the report. “More importantly, the parent company has the financial backing from investors mainly from the UK, Germany and Australia who have committed substantial amounts of funding to develop the project. The above aspects will be a promising basis for the proposed heavy mineral mining and processing industry.”

The project intends to extract beach heavy minerals within the coastal stretch (beach and berm zones) between Akkaraipattu and Komari areas in the Ampara District in the Eastern Province. Damsila Exports Ltd. holds the exclusive rights for exploring all minerals in the area, having initially obtained an exploration license in 2010 from the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau.

The project has been labelled the ‘Eastern Heavy Mineral Project’ with the project area divided into five deposit sections. Each of the sections have been named after coastal localities and listed from North to South – Tampaddai, Thirukkovil, Mulliadi, Omari and Sangamankanda. The heavy mineral deposit occupies a coastal strip varying between 50m and 300m wide.

The deposit is divided into three geological zones – Tidal Zone, Beach Zone and Berm Zone – however under this project, only heavy minerals in beach and berm zones will be mined with heavy minerals within the tidal zone not mined, the report said.

The main varieties of heavy minerals occurring in this identified coastal stretch are ilmenite, rutile, zircon, garnet, and sillimanite. The total estimated amount of heavy minerals in the beach and berm zones between Akkaraipattu and Komari coastal stretch is about 5,431,709 mt.

The report added that a large number of villagers are unemployed in the Oluvil - Akkaraipattu -Thirukkovil - Komari region in the Ampara District, mainly due to a lack of industries in the area. As such, this project is expected to create around 195 jobs for locals in the first year of the project operation period and will increase gradually year-on-year up to an estimated 266 in year six of the project operation period.

“These are the direct job opportunities, and in addition more indirect employment opportunities will also be created through related services such as transportation, commercial, etc. There is also the possibility to find unskilled labours from the adjoining villages which will undoubtedly enhance their living standards,” the report stated.

“This venture will also bring in foreign exchange to the country through the exports of processed ilmenite, garnet, rutile and zircon.”

The report has been made available for public inspection from 8.30 a.m. to 4.15 p.m. for a period of 30 days from 21 January at several places including the Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management Department in Colombo 10, Central Environmental Authority District Office, Ampara, several Pradeshiya Sabhas and District Secretariats in the area, or can be accessed in all three languages on the official website (www.coastal.gov.lk) of the Department of Coast Conservation and Coastal Resource Management.