Browsing by Author "Vettinathan, S"

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item: Conference-Abstract
An investigation of industrial mineral mining methods in Sri Lanka
(Department of Earth Resources Engineering, University of Moratuwa, 2020-12) Thanujan, T; Subasinghe, MAIIJ; Vettinathan, S; Dharmaratne, PGR; Hemalal, PVA; Chaminda, SP; Jayawardena, CL; Dissanayake, DMDOK; Dassanayake, ABN
Sri Lanka is endowed with a rich base of industrial minerals despite its small land area. Traditional and modernized mining methods are employed to mine graphite, limestone, beach mineral sand (ilmenite, rutile, zircon and garnet), apatite, calcite, dolomite, quartz, feldspar, clay, kaolin, silica sand, mica and rock aggregate. Notably, some deposits have not been optimally exploited to their potential. Moreover, Sri Lanka does not have comprehensive information and documentation in the mining context. The mining method is selected on the basis of respective geology of the deposit, hardness of the ore and rock, depth, thickness and other geological aspects etc. The extraction of narrow steeply dipping vein deposits and deposits at great depth are significantly challenging and need specified selective mining techniques. In the study, currently practiced mining technologies, Cutand- Fill mining at Bogala, Open-stopping at Kahatagaha mines, open cast mining at Aruwakkalu Limestone quarry and mineral sand mining at Pulmoddai were investigated. The investigation was carried out through interviews and field visits. Site characteristics of each mine were tabulated, and the mining procedures were discussed. Mining methods employed at Kahatagaha and Pulmoddai were traditional while Bogala and Aruwakkalu utilize more systematic technologies. It is recommended to investigate and conduct indepth analysis in the second phase of the study for technological improvements.
item: Conference-Full-text
A study of underground and surface mining methods in Sri Lanka and its suitability assessment
(Department of Earth Resources Engineering, University of Moratuwa, 2021-12) Thanujan, T; Brinthan, K; Shivadhahini, S; Subasinghe, MAIIJ; Vettinathan, S; Dharmaratne, PGR; Hemalal, PVA; Chaminda, SP; Jayawardena, CL; Dissanayake, DMDOK; Jayawardena, CL
The demand for minerals is rapidly increasing with industrialization, urbanization, and population growth. Sri Lanka has the potential to penetrate the world market with its endowed rich base of minerals despite its small land area. However, selecting a suitable mining method and its optimum utilization have significant roles in the growth of the local mineral mining industry. The lack of systematic approaches in mining methods is suboptimal for the economic growth of Sri Lanka, which demands immediate investigation and reassessment of contemporary mining practices. Thus, this study aims to critique the major mining practices and evaluate their suitability through characteristics and numerical analysis. This investigation was performed for underground mining methods: cut-and-fill stoping and open-stoping; surface mining methods: open-pit, and open-cast placer mining with reference to Bogala, Kahatagaha, Aruwakkalu, and Pulmoddai, respectively. A detailed study complying with the principles of the grounded theory was conducted through a multimethod approach followed by a thematic and content analysis along with the deductive approach. Moreover, the suitability of these methods was evaluated employing the University of British Columbia method through a numerical approach. This study reveals that the selections of mining methods are appropriate for all four mines, and mining practices are modernized and traditional, complying with site-specific requirements.