Replenishment dynamics at Verugal beach heavy mineral deposit

Abstract

Eastern coast of Sri Lanka is abundant with heavy minerals, particularly at Pullmuddai where Sri Lanka's only heavy mineral processing plant is situated. Verugal is one other areas where there is a rich, heavy mineral deposit that has the potential to be exploited.Heavy mineral beach sand deposits are dynamic in which the composition and the amount of reserves vary with time due to changes in coastal waves and currents. Therefore, a proper understanding of the replenishment dynamics is required to develop a comprehensive mine plan for the extraction of heavy mineral sand. This study focuses on the understanding replenishment mechanism at Verugal Beach Heavy Mineral Deposit. Samples from test pits were collected along the transect perpendicular to the beach at approximately 500 m interval from visible deposit at Verugal area representing bothsouthwestern monsoon and northwestern monsoon. Collected samples were subjected to sieve analysis to understand the grain size distribution and grain counting through reflected microscope to understand the heavy mineral concentration. Variations in deposit dimensions with seasonal weather changes along withspecific heavy mineral concentrations and replenishment rates can be used to develop a proper mining plan to commence sustainable extraction.