Browsing by Author "Ekanayake, EMKB"

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item: Conference-Full-text
Critical evaluation of most suitable underground mining method for Kahatagaha underground graphite mine - a case study
(Department of Earth Resources Engineering, 2023-08-28) Ekanayake, EMKB; Bandara, TMW
Lanka has been a well-known natural vein graphite supplier to the world since 1820. This reputation is mainly due to its extremely high purity, the purity being above 99% carbon as in-situ status and no other country in the world has vein graphite deposits for commercial mining now. Vein graphite is mined at Kahatagaha, Bogala, Ragedara and also from a few smaller underground mines in Sri Lanka. For decades, the Kahatagaha graphite mine has been practising the ‘open stope mining method’ and this method itself does not require extensive mine support because high strength of host rock inside the mine. It can be thought that the behaviour of graphite veins especially inclined in nature and stable host rock could be the main factors to select above mentioned mining method. But, this mining method causes many practical issues now so that mine production, miners` safety and underground work supervision are badly affected. This research includes the study of the current mining method adopted at Kahatagaha graphite mine and its suitability compared with other mining methods used for narrow vein mining and proposing a mining method which is more suitable, safer, and more economical compared to the current practising method.
item: Conference-Full-text
Development of mathematical model to decide the optimal graphite product mix to enhance the profit
(Department of Earth Resources Engineering, University of Moratuwa, 2021-12) Ekanayake, EMKB; Dissanayake, DMDOK; Jayawardena, CL
Sri Lanka is the only country in the world known to extract and produce commercially viable quantities of natural crystalline vein graphite. Currently, Bogala graphite mines and Kahatagaha graphite mine are famous underground mines and the largest natural graphite producers, which supply natural vein graphite in the form of various product categories to the international graphite market. Out of that two major mines, Bogala graphite mines extracts approximately 350 metric tons of natural graphite per month. When it comes to extracted graphite from underground (run of mine), the raw graphite consists of various carbon contents in the form of lumps, chips, and powder. Such graphite is subjected to hand sorting or mechanical separation before it is used for further processing to produce various product categories as requested by local or international customers. During the graphite processing stage, it is a real dilemma to decide that with available graphite in raw form in which carbon content varying from 80% to 99%, to produce saleable product to which customer orders with a view to getting maximum profit out of various pricing for various saleable graphite products that Bogala graphite mine produces. So, it is worth finding out which product mix gives the highest monthly revenue utilising its limited monthly underground mine production and limited machine capacities. The problem addressed here is to determine the product mix (combination of sales package) to be adopted by the company for selling her graphite products at which the optimal profit level would be attained.
item: Conference Full-text
Diamond core drilling for narrow vein graphite exploration - as practiced at Bogala Mines, Sri Lanka (A Case Study)
Ekanayake, EMKB; Abeysinghe, AMKB; Dassanayake, ABN; Elakneswaran, Y
The vein type graphite deposits which are rich in carbon found in Sri Lanka occur in metamorphic rocks as narrow steeply dipping veins. In Sri Lanka, generally these graphite deposits are explored by diamond core drilling technique. This technique has revolutionized the mining industry and directly resulted in the discovery of many minable ore bodies that would otherwise have gone untapped. Generally in this technique, possible ore bodies (veins) are explored by drilling a series of exploratory drill holes according to a pattern of drill holes designed by a competent geologist. After receiving core samples and related data sheets, core logging activity is carried out by the geologist for each and every bore hole. It is usually one of the last stages of exploration, and with data taken from core logging can be used to interpret 3-dimentional view with the support of software like Surpac. Finally it would be possible to determine whether the prospect is economically viable or not for mining. This paper looks at the suitability of diamond core drilling technique practiced in exploring narrow graphite veins in Bogala Graphite Mines of Sri Lanka and will discuss in detail pros and cons of the applying method.
item: Conference-Full-text
Issues and remedial measures in river sand mining - a case study related to artisanal river sand mining in Mahaweli River in Mahiyangana area, Sri Lanka
(Department of Earth Resources Engineering, 2019-08) Ekanayake, EMKB; Rupawansha, WKAS; Dissanayake, DMDOK; Samaradivakara, GVI
The demand for river sand for construction purposes has increased significantly in Sri Lanka in recent years, particularly due to the tsunami disaster that occurred in Dece: eer 2004 and post war period . 'U r 2009. This high demand led to a major incre«i:.c in sand mining in many areas. The current demand for sand for building construction within the country is approximately 7- 7.5 million cubic metres per year. Mahaweli river, the longest river in Sri Lanka is acting as major source of river sand supply for construction industry in the country. Certain areas along the river have become dominant sand mining sites in Mahaweli river. Among that river sand mining sites, Mahiayangana area has been very famous for river sand for a long period. In Mahiayangana area, river sand mining is extensively engaged industry and created major income earning source for thousands of rural folks living nearby. This industry has been creating new socio-economic situation in the area as this has been beneficial to many people in the area. This paper discusses present issues related to artisanal river sand mining in Mahaweli river- Mahiayangana area and remedial measures already adopted and proposals to ensure sustainable way of mining to minimize detrimental environmental affects to the ecosystem of river and the river banks.
item: Conference-Abstract
Potentials and issues in manufacturing water-based graphite dispersions (-lubricants) in Sri Lanka as value added end product of natural graphite
(Department of Earth Resources Engineering, University of Moratuwa, Sri Lanka, 2022-12-23) Ekanayake, EMKB; Jayawardena, LC
Sri Lanka is the only country in the world known to extract and produce commercially viable quantities of natural crystalline vein graphite. Currently Bogala Graphite mines and Kahatagaha Graphite mines are famous underground mines and largest natural graphite producers which supply natural vein graphite in the form of various product categories to international graphite market. It is said to be raw graphite or Run-of-mine (ROM) taken from underground mine is subjected to certain value adding steps such as separation into carbon grades and milling and grinding to requested particle size before export. But still value addition of graphite is a hot topic in many technical forums as well as among politicians and civil society. As we know, graphite is a miracle material in the industrial world as it involves or becomes an invaluable material in many industrial products as well as applications. So, among many graphite applications or end products, water-based graphite dispersion (lubricant) which is known as hot forging lubricant is one typical value-added graphite end product which can be produced in Sri Lanka using its own raw material. On the other hand, even though hot forging industry is not available in Sri Lanka, we can focus on our neighboring countries in South Asia specially India and Pakistan where world largest forging factories located and manufactured almost all forged parts for global automotive industry. This paper discusses potentials and issues related to manufacturing water-based graphite dispersions (lubricants) in Sri Lanka. This is one value added graphite end product and formulated specially aiming hot forging industry.