What you Need to Know about Sapphire Mining in Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka has a long history of gem mining. A land blessed with rich gem deposits. With places like Ratnapura, located in the Sabaragamuwa Province, a notable hotspot for gemstones. With much of the gems found within alluvial deposits, originating from the highlands that, as a result of erosion have flowed down into areas like rivers and surrounding areas. Much of the gemstones are mined close to, or around paddy fields and other agricultural areas. Which rely on an abundant source of water.

Sri Lanka the Land of Sapphires

Sri Lanka is a household name in gem mining. One of the top producers of naturally sourced sapphires. And is the home to 70 of the world’s 200 varieties of coloured stones, including its best-known export, the Ceylon or Blue sapphire. The country is renowned for producing some of the most notable sapphires in the world. The “Belle of Asia”, which took the record as the fourth-largest, faceted blue sapphire sold at auction at Christie’s Geneva in 2014. Where the 392-carat stone fetched a price of $17.3 million is one such example.

The gem industry is a key contributor to the Sri Lankan economy. As the gem industry employs around 200, 000+ people at virtually all levels of the value chain: from miners, lapidarist, to jewellers. The gem, diamond and jewellery industry generating a turnover of over $ 380 million in 2014. A key factor driving the gem trade is tourism. As an economy heavily reliant on the influx of high paying visitors, the tourist and gem industry is well integrated.

Ethical and Environment Friendly

Gem mining is a respected trade in the Island nation. Sri Lanka governments have paid careful attention to the management and practices related to gem mining. Notable here are the many rules and regulations that have been put in place to ensure ethical, and environmentally friendly sourcing, mining and distribution of gemstones, especially sapphires.

Sri Lanka’s gem industry, in the decade long stability, and during the period before it, has kept away from the dangers of conflict minerals. As an island nation, without any regional or internal conflicts, the entire gem industry is closely regulated by the government, the country.

Since many of the gem mines are located near or around paddy fields, the government requires that these areas are protected from mining practices. And in the completion of a mining project, the mine and the area surrounding are required to be returned to an environmentally friendly state. Other laws require that those who engage in the trade obtain the necessary permits to engage in the mining business. Sri Lankan laws also prohibit minors from engaging in the mining trade. If buyers are seeking sapphires from stable regions, where the gems are ethically sourced, Ceylon sapphires are the choice to consider.

Everyone is a stakeholder of the business

Everyone working in these small scale mines has a stake in the business. In addition to the daily, weekly, or monthly wage they are entitled to a percentage profit of every gemstone sale from the mine. Gem mining businesses in Sri Lanka, which tend to be family-oriented in nature, maintain a closely-knit character. People who enter the gem trade tend to work in it for life. So there is a deep connection between the trade and the personal convictions of those involved. It’s not just about the money. Sri Lanka as a country with a proud heritage in the gemstone industry, and is represented by those involved in the jewellery trade.

A notable feature is that a percentage of the profit that results from the sale of a gemstone, such as a high-quality blue sapphire. In which case the employees that took part in the mining process are provided with a share of the sales. Workers in the gem and jewellery business are not just labourers. They are an integral part of the mining, polishing, cutting, designing and selling process. The communal character maintains the solidarity of those involved in the sapphire mining industry in Sri Lanka. 

Traditional Mining Process

Gem mining in Sri Lanka is a trade that is very close to home for those involved. From the workers to the tools and equipment, there is a very “local” character to the whole process. Many of the tools that are used in the dredging, clearing, lifting are made from natural materials, sourced from the nearby land. Even the washing of the collected stones is carried out in the local river. As the precious stones are separated from the rest. And then is moved onto the next stage in the process. All in all, there is a very natural feel to the whole process.

Away from the heavy industrial machines and big infrastructure that is characteristic of other precious stone mining industries. The Sri Lankan approach is a very local one. From the, as noted, the mining of the gemstones, and later to the curing, polishing and shaping process. Every stage is managed by a very Sri Lankan touch. The safety and sustainability of the natural environment as one of the topmost priorities.

The future of Sri Lankan Sapphire Mines

Sri Lanka was able to sustainably mine its sapphires for centuries. The mining has never transformed into large industrial operations since the land is owned and occupied by hundreds of thousands of villagers. These settlements were there for centuries and they have only conducted small or medium scale mining operations on their own lands. The population is highly environmentally conscious and most of the population is depending on cultivation and irrigation. The government policies are also very favourable in making the industry more sustainable and eco friendly. The gem industry is focusing more on importing rough gemstones from regions such as Africa and adding value by heating, cutting, polishing, and re-exporting them. Sustainable slow mining of this precious resource for a long time would be the future of the sapphire mining industry in Sri Lanka.