“Government Moves to Secure Massive Monaragala Quartz Deposit”
The Government has initiated steps to protect, reassess and potentially develop a major vein quartz deposit at Kotikambokka (Dhamani Thiruvana) in Monaragala District, following a field visit by Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Minister Sunil Handunnetthi.
The deposit, which stretches approximately 700 metres, has been identified through preliminary studies as containing an estimated 3.1 billion tonnes of vein quartz, making it one of the largest known reserves in Sri Lanka. The site is currently not under commercial mining.
Authorities have agreed to implement immediate protection measures to prevent illegal and unauthorised mining, with the Forest Conservation Department tasked with demarcating the area. The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau will conduct a detailed scientific reassessment using advanced methods to confirm reserve quality and viability.
Once legal, environmental and regulatory issues are resolved, the Government plans to call for Expressions of Interest for transparent and regulated mining operations aligned with national development priorities.
