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| Sunday, 16 February 2003 |
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Mineral exploitation runs into first road block by Neomi Kodikara The decision to exploit mineral resources in the off-shore stretch from Beruwala to Kalutara has run into its first road block with environmentalists, environmental organisations and officials of the Ministry of Fisheries and Ocean Resources objecting to the move, demanding that an Environmental Impact Assessment be carried out and the immediate and long term consequences be evaluated before any decision is made. The Geological and Mines Bureau has also said that no licence will be passed to exploit the minerals until the proposal is scientifically evaluated and the environmental impact is investigated. Last week the Marine Pollution Prevention Authority (MPPA) called for investors who are interested in mining, targeting foreign investors as international linkage is important to proceed with the project proposals. The selected investor has to do an EIA of the project before beginning the exploitation. Ministry sources revealed that the Singapore government had at a recent meeting between the Fisheries Minister Mahinda Wijesekara and the High Commissioner Tan Kan Hoe, expressed willingness to fund and provide the necessary technology for commercial exploitation of off-shore mineral resources. Chairman of MPPA, Dr. Sunil de Silva said that mineral resources in the ocean, that could bring in an income of several billion US dollars to the country had been overlooked as an income generating source. The Ministry had directed the MPPA to rectify this situation. However, environmentalists, environment authorities of the Ministry and the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau feel that such a project may be feasible only under a carefully controlled sustainable plan which should be made after a proper scientific assessment on the position and condition of the deposit. The Society for Environmental Studies (SES) emphasised that such a move should be taken only after assessing its environment impact and obtaining the approval from the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau. "A thorough study in the eco systems such as coral reefs, wave patterns of the area, sand deposit, natural habitats of the fish and other aquatic creatures and the seasons of the year in which they plan to mine should be done beforehand," the spokesman for the Society pointed out. Hemantha Vitanage, the Executive Director Environment Foundation Limited said that feasibility studies including an EIA should be done as this was the only coastal area with active minerals that also had an assortment of coral reefs in abundance. Dr. N.P. Wijayananda, Director to the Geological and Mines Bureau said that licence for the exploitation will be given only after the project proposals are scientifically studied and possible adverse impacts on environment are investigated. |
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