Mechanised mining to detect gem deposits

by Jayampathy Jayasinghe

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Mechanised mining will be encouraged in future to detect gem deposits in lands earmarked by the state.

The slow down of the United State’s economy has adversely affected Sri Lanka’s gem and jewellery exports, which accounted for nearly 34 to 28 per cent of exports to the US market Chairman National Gem and Jewellery Authority Hasitha Tillekeratne told a media briefing organised by Facets 2006 exhibition.

He said they were looking at other markets outside USA such as India, China, Russia, Middle East and Europe to compensate for the loss. However, the gem, diamond and jewellery sector has recorded a growth of 12 per cent during the first five months of 2008 earning US Dollars 196.16 million. However, earnings during 2007 were US Dollars 174.67 million, he said.

He said that a Gem Testing Laboratory would be set up to differentiate natural gems from heat treated stones and to identify rare gem stones in accordance with international standards.

The laboratory would be set up by the National Gem and Jewellery Authority in association with the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association. The facility would help to save foreign exchange.

The Facets exhibition will be held from September 6-9 at the BMICH for the 18th consecutive year. It is jointly organised by the Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association and the National Gem and Jewellery Authority will showcase more than 150 stalls.

Gem and jewellery dealers from Hong Kong, Thailand, Myanmar and Singapore are expected to participate in this year’s event.

Chairman Facets, Macky Hashim said the idea to host a gem exhibition began when gem exports from Sri Lanka declined sharply.

While the exhibition progressed over the years, the jewellery and the lapidary industry too joined the exhibition.

The Facets exhibition was a marketing tool to develop the industry further. Facets was first held in 1991 and had continued during the past 17 years without an interruption.

Chairman, Sri Lanka Export Development Board, Brian Agunawela said the gem and jewellery sector was a key sector that brings in revenue to the country and by 2011 a turnover of Rs 1 billion was expected by way of exports, he said.

Chairman, Sri Lanka Gem and Jewellery Association Chanaka Ellawala in response to a question said that mechanised mining would be useful if it can exploit gem deposits to increase productivity.

The gem industry welcomes more widespread mechanised mining in Sri Lanka, to overcome the shortfall of gems in an environment friendly way.

He said their Association was set up 30 years ago and is the largest organisation in the country with a membership of 350.