Thursday May 14, 2026
Thursday May 14, 2026
Tuesday, 12 May 2026 06:17 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
As Sri Lanka looks to better position its mineral sands resources within a globally competitive and responsibly developed industrial framework, The Ceylon Chamber of Commerce will host a one-day Technical Conference on the mineral sands sector on 17 June at the Galle Face Hotel, Colombo from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
As global demand for mineral sands continues to grow, driven by their use in industries ranging from construction and manufacturing to advanced technologies, Sri Lanka is increasingly looking at how to maximise its own resource base. Against this backdrop, the conference will focus on how Sri Lanka can move from resource availability to sustained value creation.
Held in partnership with Mineral Technologies Australia, the programme brings together policymakers, technical experts, and global industry leaders to examine the full chain of mineral sands development, from exploration and extraction through to processing, markets, and environmental management.
Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunneththi will open the conference, which will also feature an address by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau Senior Geologist C.N.B. Wijerathna, who will outline national priorities for enabling a more competitive sector framework. In addition, Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd., Chairman D.M. Kumara Rathna Bandara, will also address the audience.
Technical sessions will explore the mineral sands value chain, including project economics and resource development, mining and processing approaches, environmental and water management considerations, product quality and market requirements, ESG standards, rehabilitation practices, and global market dynamics, with a focus on Sri Lanka’s positioning and long-term sector development.
The conference will conclude with a high-level panel discussion on the practical steps required to build a globally competitive mineral sands industry in Sri Lanka. Among the high-profile speakers will be PWM Consulting Director Philip Murphy, in2Dredging, Sri Lanka/Australia Director and Principal Dredging Engineer Simon Burgmans, Mineral Technologies, Australia General Manager – Business Development Matthew Allen, Coastal and Environmental Services, South Africa Business Development Executive Ted Avis, and TZ Minerals International Pty. Ltd., CEO Gavin Diener. The program will also feature additional experts from India, Australia, and Sri Lanka, bringing together a broader cross-section of technical and industry perspectives.
Sri Lanka’s mineral sands potential is not new, the opportunity now lies in how effectively it can be developed through stronger technical alignment, regulatory clarity, and investment readiness.
