Abstract:
Rare Earth Element (REE) quantity is a main factor that determines the wealth of a country.
The main aim of this study is to discover a new REE deposit that can contribute to the Sri
Lankan economy. Calido Beach is a coastal region where Kalu-river joins the sea in
Kalutara, Sri Lanka. In this study, this coastal region is divided into four divisions as
Kalutara North (KN), Kalutara South (KS), Sand Spit (SS) and river delta. Beach sand (n=5)
and river sediment (n=30) samples were collected covering all four divisions and analyzed
for mineralogy, grain size distribution and microscopic observation for prospecting
unconventional Rare Earth Mineral (REM) sources. Analysis for mineralogy of samples via
X-ray Diffraction (XRD) test revealed positive availability of REMs such as Monazite (Ce),
Monazite (Nd), Xenotime and Bastnasite. According to grain size distribution (GSD) test
results, it was found that sediments in delta had a lesser time for sorting before deposition
with relevance to beach sand. Nourishment of REMs into the shore by sea waves and other
sources (Beruwala placer deposit, offshore sources) increases the amount of REM content in
the study area and the minable quality of beach sand as an economically viable REE source.
Citation:
Jayasinghe, H.G.H., Jayasinghe, S.M.N.M., Mohomad, H.H., Ratnayake, N.P., Abeysinghe, A.M.K.B., & Dushyantha, N.P. (2020). Mineralogical exploration for rare earth element potential in Kalutara coastal areas. In D.M.D.O.K. Dissanayake & A.B.N. Dassanayake (Eds.), Proceedings of International Symposium on Earth Resources Management & Environment 2020 (pp. 42-50). Department of Earth Resources Engineering, University of Moratuwa.
