Titanium Sands Limited (TSL), an Australian mining company based in Perth and listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX), is presently exploring for minerals in Mannar Island.
There have been a few inaccurate media reports recently which suggest that TSL has already begun mining, however the company is in fact still at an early stage of evaluation, carrying out testing to identify areas of heavy mineral sand concentration. The images and footage shown in some of the media reports are not connected to TSL in any way and appear to be of a separate project on the East Coast of Sri Lanka, 120km away from Mannar Island. All TSL activities undertaken to date have been within the terms allowed under the issued exploration licences and the additional access permissions from government agencies.
The TSL evaluation is currently focused on 5 exploration licences issued by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) of Sri Lanka to local companies and covering 78 square kilometres in Mannar Island and the adjacent mainland coast. Previously exploration has been carried out on 4 other adjacent exploration licenses that are now a lesser focus for exploration.
Exploration involves obtaining sand samples from 50mm diameter holes. Samples weighing 125g are analysed at a laboratory to determine the levels of heavy minerals in the sands. To date, the concentration of heavy minerals has been determined to be around 5%.
TSL is well-aware of the many procedures and processes to be undertaken and successfully completed in order to begin the actual mining process. Excerpts of the scoping study, available on the TSL website https://titaniumsands.com.au/ clearly state that development of the project is dependent on several factors.
To obtain mining licenses under the Sri Lankan Mines Act, the project needs to receive regulatory approval, which will include submission of an Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) under the National Environment Act, granting of mining licenses and licenses for the transport and export of mineral products.
TSL has no intention of focussing its project on the coastal zone of Mannar Island. The recently completed scoping study has identified inland areas that could support a long-life project with no impact on the marine environment. Currently, all exploration is being carried out 1 to 3 kilometres away from the coast.
The ongoing small-scale evaluation work is being carried out by a team of local Mannar residents who have been trained in the collection and processing of samples. Subject to the regulatory approval process when developed the mining project could employ an estimated 150 - 250 persons, with local Mannar residents preferentially trained and employed. Apart from employment opportunities, progressive rehabilitation carried while mining is underway will be used to create large areas of commercial plantation agriculture providing the residents with the potential for enhanced and sustainable income-producing activities.
Valuable natural environments such as the RAMSAR Bird Sanctuary situated between Mannar Island and the adjacent mainland (over 7 km away) and the marine reserves in the Palk Strait (over 20 km away) west of Mannar Island will not be impacted since TSL activity will be 10km from these areas.
The Government of Sri Lanka is keen to attract investment into the mining sector. Mining and quarrying is currently only a minor component of the Sri Lankan economy, contributing 2.9% of the GDP but only 0.5% or $52 million of export earnings.
Mining for minerals is not a new activity in Sri Lanka and regulatory agencies and protectors of environmental and other concerns are fully aware of the practices and risks if any, involved in the operation. The closest example to this operation is in Pulmodai, towards the east coast, where a government controlled mineral mining operation has been going on for 63 years, employing more than 700 persons.
Sensational media reports based on misleading information have serious consequences to stakeholders of the companies involved, in particular to the employees whose livelihoods depend on their operations.
More information could be obtained from oceanied@sapa.consulting
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