Abstract:
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.
Citation:
Thanujan, T., Brinthan, K., Shivadhahini, S., Subasinghe, M.A.I.I.J., Vettinathan, S., Dharmaratne, P.G.R., Hemalal, P.V.A., Chaminda, S.P., & Jayawardena, C.L. (2021). A study of underground and surface mining methods in Sri Lanka and its suitability assessment. In D.M.D.O.K. Dissanayake & C.L. Jayawardena (Eds.), Proceedings of International Symposium on Earth Resources Management & Environment 2021 (pp. 46-53). Department of Earth Resources Engineering, University of Moratuwa. https://uom.lk/sites/default/files/ere/files/ISERME%202021%20Proceedings_2.pdf