Abstract:
Garnet sand has a wide range of applications in mineral industry, mainly
abrasive. The demand for as an garnet sand has been increasing rapidly during
recent past. Industrial quality garnet can be recovered from beach sand deposits and
crushing and processing of garnet rich rocks. In Sri Lanka, there are several garnet
rich beach sand deposits. However, due to negative environmental effects, mining
has not been carried out for recovery of garnet from such deposits.
In this study, the objective being to identify suitable garnet rich rocks to
recover manufactured garnet sand, geological map of the country was studied in
detail. Out of several locations, Thanikotuwa village in Dewaladeniya GS division in
Lakgala - Pallegama divisional secretariat of Matale district was selected. Detailed
work was carried out in this location having 30.39% garnet recovery whereas.
Garnet cut-off grade of only 15.68% is expected for a project for obtaining
manufactured garnet sand only. Also in the processing stage, remaining crushed
rock material can be used directly as fine aggregates in the construction industry.
Economic feasibility studies show commencement of a manufactured garnet sand
project including IML - A grade quarry, crushing and processing plant in this
location is economically viable.
Citation:
Senthuran, S., Boyagoda, E.M.R.C.L., Rukshan, A.M.M., Sathiyaparathan, T., Wannisinghe, W.M.V.K., Werawanakula, S., Premasiri, H.M.R., Rohitha, L.P.S., & Abeysinghe, A.M.K.B. (2014). Identifying garnet bearing rocks suitable for mining and processing of manufactured garnet sand. In P.V.A. Hemalal (Ed.), Proceedings of the 8th National Conference on Earth Resources Management (pp. 32-35). Department of Earth Resources Engineering, University of Moratuwa.
