Sri Lanka To Utilize Iron Minerals
Environment Ministry and Ministry of Industries have joined hands to utilise iron ore in Chilaw Panirendawa, where some 87 million tons of iron ore resources are available according to a recent study.
The government had given the green light to commence mining activities soon, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera said, adding excavations of Buttala Kurampola and Chilaw Panirendawa iron ore would be carried out shortly. Iron ore prices started the new year with a bang on Monday as unprecedented demand from China, industrial officials said.
Both, Environment Minister Mahinda Amaraweera and Industries Minister Wimal Weerawansa believes that through this joint programme to maximize the country’s revenue by making the most of country’s mineral resources. They discussed in length regarding the handing over of the Buttala Kurampola Iron Depository and the Chilaw Panirendawa Iron Ore Mining to the Ministry of Industry. Secretaries to the two Ministries Dr. Anil Jasinghe, Anusha Pelpita and Geological Survey and Mining Bureau Chairman Anura Walpola were also present.
Officials from the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau informed the ministers that research carried out by the Bureau of Geology and Mines has confirmed that the Kurampola ore iron deposit covers an area of some 26 square kilometers and at least 86 million tons of iron is deposits there. Weerawansa said that due to the current legal situation regarding the Kurampola Iron Ore Deposit, the Ministry of Industry could take action to excavate the Panirendawa Iron Ore Deposit by exploiting its resources in a manner that is beneficial to the country’s economy.
Amaraweera said that his Ministry is ready to extend all possible assistance to utilize the country’s mineral resources for the betterment of the country as a whole on the instructions of President Gotabaya Rajapaksa. He also instructed the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau to take necessary steps to work out a plan. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Environment also presented the Minister of Industry with a container prepared for the proper disposal of empty carbon pens pens and toothbrushes discarded from government offices.
caption: Minister Mahinda Amaraweera handing over a container prepared for the proper disposal of carbon pans and toothbrushes discarded from government offices to Minister of Industry Wimal Weerawansa – Secretaries to the two Ministries, Specialist Dr. Anil Jasinghe and Anusha Pelpita are also in the picture.
FAQs