First-ever International Mining and Mineral Conference, Exhibition in SL
The Cabinet of Ministers has granted approval to organize Sri Lanka’s first-ever international mining and mineral conference, investor forum and exhibition in October following a proposal submitted by Minister of Environment Naseer Ahamed.
Minister Naseer Ahamed issuing a statement said the prime objective of the event is to build a global brand value for Sri Lankan mineral industry on a medium-term perspective by repositioning Sri Lankan minerals, based on their unique value propositions (UVP) and thereby, to unlock the enormous investment and economic potential for the country. He said that minerals are a gift of nature and export of minerals play a vital role in foreign exchange earning of many developing nations. If a country can make the maximum out of its mineral resources, economic prosperity would be within reach. At a time Sri Lanka is facing severe foreign exchange deficiency, export of minerals and mineral-based value-added products becomes all the more important with its high potential to become the next ‘billion-dollar industry’ in Sri Lanka.
The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), which comes under the purview of the Ministry of Environment has identified and mapped out 43 mineral resources in Sri Lanka. Amongst them, Graphite, Heavy Mineral sand, Limestone, Phosphate, Dimension Stones, vain Quartz etc. have been identified as having the most intrinsic value with high export potential.
Minister Ahamed further said that as a result of the protective policies adopted in the past, Sri Lanka has not been successful in attracting genuine and world-class mineral and mining industry stakeholders. Speaking on the proposed event Chairman GSMB Sanjeepan Ravi said more than 20 globally renowned international mineral companies representing many countries have shown keen interest to explore investment opportunities in
Sri Lanka and that the proposed event will bring all of them together into one platform to interact with policy makers and government officers enabling them to take their project concepts to the next level.