A GEM FIELD TRIP
MINING EXPERIENCE
From 28 March 2012 to 1 April 2012, we went on an exciting journey to Sri Lanka with the Singapore Jewellers’ Association. We visited the EXPO as delegates and met some gem dealers there. The itinerary of the trip included a visit to the National Gems & Jewellery Authority, NISOL diamond cutting factory as well as to Ratnapura, the gem mining area.
Ratnapura, also spelled as Rathnapura, “City of Gems” in Sinhala and Tamil. Located some 101 km south east of Colombo, it is the centre of a long-established industry of precious stone mining including rubies, sapphires, and other gems. Some remarkable stones include the pinkish-orange “padparadscha” sapphire and cat’seye. Unusual and rare stones from the same area include sillimanite, andalusite, scapolite, enstatite, kornerupine and diopside.
Ratnapura is the source of some of the priceless gemstones in the world: Blue Giant of Orient (466 cts), Logan Blue Sapphire (42 3cts), Blue Belle of Asia (400 cts), Rossar Reeves Star Ruby (138.7 cts), Star of Lanka (393 cts) and the Ray of Treasure (105 cts Cat’s Eye). The Star of Lanka and Ray of Treasure are the proud possessions of the National Gem & Jewellery Authority of Sri Lanka. (Source: http://www.lanka.com/sri-lanka/ ratnapura-938.html)
A mine that is currently inactive. We were told that this mine is about 8m deep. Looking down the approximately 6m deep mine. As the miners go deeper, they have to transport logs underground to strengthen the walls
This is one of the mines we visited at Ratnapura.
There are many gem mines around the area, especially in paddy fields on lower ground, which are around 10m to 50m deep. Portable hand operating tools are used for mining process such as shovels, picks, pans (specially made from bamboo) and cradles. Once soil lifts out from the mine, with the use of water, the dirt and mud is washed out using pans. Thus if there any gemstone, which is heavier than normal stones, remains at the bottom of the pan as mud is washed away. (Source: http://
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Equipment where soil and stones are sifted and picked out.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ratnapura) The mines in Sri Lanka are built using very simple and basic tools. Pulley systems are constructed in order to transport gravels up to the surface. Simple systems are used as mechanized gem mining activities have been banned in Sri Lanka. The miners work underground for 8 hours a day, except during rainy seasons. According to the mine owner, all the gems mined from a particular mine
Some of the heavier equipment used to pump air and water underground. There is a lot of manual work involved here.