A Study of current practice of the quarry mining industry in Sri Lanka : a case Kaduwela DSD

Abstract

Quarry mining is an important industry in Sri Lanka, contributing to the country's economy in many ways. There have been complaints about the impacts of quarry mining in Sri Lanka, particularly related to environmental and social impacts including noise pollution, dust, vibration, and water scarcity. This research studies the current practice in the quarry mining industry that has led to these conflicts by analyzing the legal and policy frameworks around mining. The study adopts a qualitative research design, including a review of relevant literature and documents, as well as interviews with key stakeholders, including regulatory bodies, license holders (quarry owners), and local communities affected by quarry mining. The structured interviews aimed to identify the most pressing regulatory gaps and impact complaints related to quarry mining in Sri Lanka and to gather recommendations on how to address them under three stages including stage of application to license issuance, stage of operation of the quarry, and stage of rehabilitation. The snowball sampling method was used to identify communities, quarry owners, and experts for the interviews. The findings of this research reveal several gaps in the current regulatory framework, including inadequate enforcement of regulations, unclear roles and responsibilities of regulatory bodies, and limited community participation in the decision-making process. Also, addressing the regulatory gaps around quarry mining in Sri Lanka requires a collaborative effort from all stakeholders to ensure that natural resources are extracted responsibly and sustainably, benefiting both the economy and the environment. Overall, this research contributes to the understanding of the challenges in regulating quarry mining and provides insights into the measures required to ensure sustainable mining practices that protect the environment and the well-being of local communities.