Value added products from mineral resources

By L. S. A. Wedaarachchi

[email protected]
 

The mineral resources which are exported to Japan USA and Europe as raw materials are now being partly retained to manufacture value added products.

Minister of Industrial Development, Kumar Welgama has instructed Lanka Mineral Sands Company Ltd (LMSC) to go ahead with the manufacture of value added products such as Titarian metals and bullet proof glasses.

The ilmenite cerkone and Rutile which are produced by Lanka Mineral Sands Company have a big demand in the world market.

Industrialised countries such as Japan, USA, China and Europe use the mineral sand to manufacture costly titarian metals, bullet proof glass and similar sophisticated items.

The cost of a ton of titarian metal which is used to manufacture aircraft costs US $ 3500, said the Additional Secretary, Ministry of Industrial Development I. D. Piyatileke. LMSC targets a production of 20,000 tonnes of ilmenite cerkone and rutile this year which will double the production of last year, he said.

The peaceful environment in the East will help LMSC to expand its operations and explore other industrial ventures, he said.

LMSC will enter into a joint venture with a technically advanced foreign company to produce value added mineral sand based products, he said.