Minister inspects Kotikambokka Vein Quartz Deposit, orders measures to prevent illegal mining

Sunil Handunnetti, the Minister of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development, visited the Kotikambokka Vein Quartz Deposit in the Monaragala District on October 1. Currently, mining activities at this site are on hold. During his visit, he initiated several actions to stop illegal mining and protect the area for the future. Preliminary scientific studies show that the deposit covers 700 meters and has an estimated 3.1 billion metric tons of quartz. After the inspection, a meeting took place with officials from the Department of Forest Conservation, the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), and the National Gem and Jewellery Authority (NGJA). They agreed on the following steps: • Protecting the Deposit: A formal plan will be put in place immediately to protect this natural resource from illegal activities. • Marking and Reporting: The Department of Forest Conservation will define the boundaries of the deposit area and provide a detailed report to the Divisional Secretary about any challenges faced during their work. • Reassessing Reserves: Efforts will be made to accurately re-calculate the total amount of quartz reserve using modern scientific methods. • Clear Mining Process: Once the current legal and environmental issues are resolved, they will invite Expressions of Interest (EOI) to start regulated mining operations. These measures aim to ensure the quartz deposit in Sri Lanka is protected and responsibly managed.