The Gem Mining Industry in Sri Lanka
The secret of the sustenance of the gem mining industry for well over 2500 years rests on the unique traditional mining methods. The locals that take to gem mining industry as part of their livelihood are skilled in the art and excel with their intimate knowledge of the terrain. Methods are age old, simple and of small scale and worked on a remarkable system of cooperative sharing of the profits from the activity.
In geologically speaking, Sri Lanka is a very old country. Ninety percent of the rocks of the island are of Precambrian age, 560 million to 2,400 million years ago. The gems form in sedimentary residual gem deposits, alluvial deposits, metamorphic deposits, skarn and calcium-rich rocks. Other gems are of magmatic origin.
Residual deposits are mainly found in flood plains of rivers and streams. The metamorphic types of gems constitute 90% of the gem deposits in Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka has the highest density of gem deposits compared to its landmass. The majorities of gem deposits of Sri Lanka are secondary alluvial gravels and contain a range of gem minerals with local and regional variations in relative abundance. The earth’s greatest concentration of gems in over 50 varieties is found within the country’s land area of approximately 25,000 square miles. |
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There are five basic methods used to recover gems in Sri Lanka (1) placer mining (2) open pit shallow mining (3) open pit deep mining (4) Tunnel mining (donava) and (5) river workings. The most common methods of mining are in pits and by tunneling more..... The mining methods employed although primitive using only manual labor are time honored methods of ancient Sinhalese tradition. They involve little capital outlay and are quick and efficient more.... , |
Gem Mining Procedure
Obtaining Permission for Gem Mining
The gem mining industry is one of Sri Lanka’s major sources of income and employment; it is carried out on both private and state land after obtaining permission from the owners and the state authorities.
Exploration of Gem Location
Exploration for gems has been carried out in traditional methods for generations by gem miners locating mines mostly by word of mouth without any knowledge of geology.
In the field the main exploration guide for gemstones is the presence of the illam itself (The gem bearing gravel, locally referred to as illama). Miners soon learned the richest deposits were composed of blue and yellow clays which lay just below the surface of lush valley farmlands. During their tortuous journey downstream, most gem crystals were worn to rounded pebbles, but harder than host minerals, they managed to retain much of their size.
Obtaining Permission for Gem Mining
The gem mining industry is one of Sri Lanka’s major sources of income and employment; it is carried out on both private and state land after obtaining permission from the owners and the state authorities.
Exploration of Gem Location
Exploration for gems has been carried out in traditional methods for generations by gem miners locating mines mostly by word of mouth without any knowledge of geology.
In the field the main exploration guide for gemstones is the presence of the illam itself (The gem bearing gravel, locally referred to as illama). Miners soon learned the richest deposits were composed of blue and yellow clays which lay just below the surface of lush valley farmlands. During their tortuous journey downstream, most gem crystals were worn to rounded pebbles, but harder than host minerals, they managed to retain much of their size.
Method of Excavation of a mine
In the first, stage, . The miners in the pit remove the non-gem bearing material, often soil, sand and gravel chop out the wet clay and illama with a mattock, pile it in small wicker baskets, and toss them up in relays to the surface This material is taken out of the pit and sorted and stored to be used
later to fill in the hole.
The process of removing and collecting the soil, sand and gravel is done in two ways. If the pit is shallow, the miners stand at different heights in the pit. The men above empty the baskets and drop them back in one motion, with the practiced rhythm and jugglers. The soil and other materials are passed from hand to hand and are deposited beside the pit . Illama is also collected in a similar manner more....
later to fill in the hole.
The process of removing and collecting the soil, sand and gravel is done in two ways. If the pit is shallow, the miners stand at different heights in the pit. The men above empty the baskets and drop them back in one motion, with the practiced rhythm and jugglers. The soil and other materials are passed from hand to hand and are deposited beside the pit . Illama is also collected in a similar manner more....
Washing ProcessFirst miner put a few handfuls of illama in a shallow circular wicker basket. This is then immersed in water and turned a number of times to remove any mud, gravel and sand this enables the light, ordinary pebbles and sediment to escape, leaving the heavier pebbles behind.
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Sorting ProcessWhen a basket of illama has been thoroughly washed, the contents, called nambuva, are examined for gem minerals. The basket is tilted at an angle allowing the sunlight to fall on the contents.
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Gem Net Sri Lanka specializes in personalized guided gem buying trips and tours within Sri Lanka. We are equipped to handle all of your requirements including gem testing, gem cutting, meals and accommodations, transportation, customs, banking, shipping and more.
You may be a gem buyer who hunt for your requirement to get the best value for your money, or you may be a gem lover who likes to visit mining sites tour or buying tour, or you just like to discover hidden mysterious places, or just simply relax on a secluded beach somewhere, we know how to make it happen, and at a price to suit your pocket.
You may be a gem buyer who hunt for your requirement to get the best value for your money, or you may be a gem lover who likes to visit mining sites tour or buying tour, or you just like to discover hidden mysterious places, or just simply relax on a secluded beach somewhere, we know how to make it happen, and at a price to suit your pocket.
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Copyright © Gem Net Sri Lanka