• Gem industry researcher and engineer Dr. Tissa Liyanage notes detrimental impact of the industry on the environment due to the authorities’ reluctance to properly regulate, and the unwarranted influence exerted by stakeholders 

Sri Lanka has a history of exporting the highest quality gems for thousands of years and the gem industry contributes immensely to the economic wellbeing of the country and those who are engaged in it. At a time when Sri Lanka is grappling with an unprecedented economic crisis due to the lack of foreign exchange, the importance of foreign exchange earning industries such as tourism and gem exports is felt more than ever, and the Government has pledged to facilitate the further improvement of such industries. Even though the gem industry brings about many benefits in terms of economic growth, allowing certain harmful effects of the gem industry on the environment, despite the ability to prevent such, is criticised by many. Due to the alleged reluctance of the related Government institutions to properly regulate the gem industry, and the unwanted influence of politicians and other powerful people on the gem industry, like on many other sectors, it has become difficult to reduce its impact on the environment. The Daily Morning discussed with engineer Dr. Tissa Liyanage, who is constantly researching the gem industry, and some key issues related to it.

Following are excerpts from the interview:

How important is gem mining to Sri Lanka?

Gems found in Sri Lanka are of a very high quality and value compared to those found in other countries. The gem industry is an industry that generates foreign exchange for the country both directly and indirectly. For example, by selling gems to foreign countries, the country gets a direct foreign exchange income. Apart from that, the gem industry attracts a lot of tourists and it also generates a significant foreign exchange income. As we are going through an economic crisis at present, there is much that the gem industry can do to strengthen our economy. It is as important as the tourism industry. Its income distribution is well-balanced, so every party involved in it can get a fair income at most times.

What is unique about the gem industry compared to other industries?

Almost every other industry has some target income, but, the gem industry is not the kind of industry where those engaged in it can have preconceived notions about the income. The industry is also a great help to young people, especially in rural areas, who have less education, yet need to contribute to the economy. There are lots of individuals who have started gem mining with nothing and then become high-end gem merchants. Even though many other industries require dedicated education and professional qualifications, the gem industry does not have such requirements. Anyone can engage in the industry while pursuing their other livelihoods. People in areas like Ratnapura often engage in the gem industry as a part-time job. Through that, they can make an additional income without getting away from their usual sources of income. Gem mining can also make a person with nothing a person with everything overnight.

How do you see machinery-based gem mining in Sri Lanka?

Gem mining started becoming highly popular in the recent past as a result of the extensive use of machinery for the rapid extraction of gems at a mass scale. However, the machinery and the methodologies used in present day gem mining are not environmentally sustainable given the way that they are currently being used. The traditional gem mining had many protective means and ways to protect the environment, but, high-tech gem extraction methods have not introduced any such means and ways to protect the environment. As a result, the sensitive soil layers become unsuitable for agricultural activities and it brings about many adverse consequences both socially and economically.

Is the knowledge of those who are engaged in gem mining regarding the latest technologies sufficient?

Not at all, as nowadays, most people engaged in gem mining only know how to excavate, discover gem crop layers, wash them with machinery and extract gems. They don’t care about the consequences beyond it. The environmental damage that can be caused by machinery-based gem mining has been identified, and alternative measures have been suggested, but, people involved in the industry are not bothering to take any of those measures. Immediately after mining, they leave the land and go to another place without taking action to rectify the environmental damage caused to it.

What is the environmental impact of traditional gem mining and machinery-based gem mining?

Both traditional and machinery-based gem mining had an impact on the environment in various ways. What is special is that those who engaged in traditional gem mining had introduced a range of measures to mitigate the adverse effects on the environment with simple techniques. Notable among such measures were filtering water disposed from mines before they were added to water bodies. Backfilling was done in an orderly manner so that the topsoil was not mixed with the underground soil. Through these measures, there was no need to stop agricultural activities on lands where gem mining was done. However, no environmental impact mitigating measures are taken in machinery-based gem mining. They let silted water flow towards major water bodies such as rivers and canals and it has resulted in water bodies’ quality declining to a greater extent. It has a very adverse effect so much so that its consequences will be there for decades. It has also placed rare species of fish at extreme risk of extinction. The agricultural lands become unusable as a result of mixing deep soil with the surface soil. Almost all lands where machinery-based gem mining is done become unsuitable for agricultural activities and they become mosquito breeding spots due to stagnant water. Mines that have not been backfilled also pose various dangers to the people and there have been several incidents of children succumbing to death after falling into abandoned mines.

Are existing legal systems and other regulations adequate to regulate gem mining?

There are sufficient legal provisions regarding the gem industry, but, the relevant institutions have apparently failed to implement them properly. Since the gem industry is one of the most lucrative industries, certain politicians and other powerful people are always involved in it. Therefore, the implementation of the relevant laws is quite slow. It is another issue that some people engage in the gem industry in violation of the laws regardless of the legal consequences with the mere intention of making some ‘instant money’.

Are Government agencies related to gem mining performing their role properly?

The relevant Government institutions don’t seem to fulfil their duties and responsibilities adequately. When it comes to the Ratnapura District, gem mines have mushroomed and most of them don’t have licences issued by the Government. If these institutions fulfil their duty, they should have noticed these issues and taken proper action, but, nothing as such seems to happen. In addition, there are hundreds of abandoned gem mines in Ratnapura and one can see them even on Google Maps, but, no institution has directed the relevant parties to backfill them, and taken action against the culprits. Very important water bodies have become highly polluted with high levels of siltation. They can no longer be used for agricultural activities. The siltation of water bodies is also one of the main reasons for frequent floods in Ratnapura. When there are floods, the Government has to bear a massive expenditure on disaster management activities and for providing relief to the people. When all these issues are there, the relevant institutions are doing almost nothing.

Will a change to the technologies used in gem mining in Sri Lanka have to be made?

It is not the technologies, but the non-use of proper methodologies and the lack of regulation by the related authorities that have led to these issues. What should be done is to properly regulate machinery-based gem mining. In addition to a proper regulating process, there should also be a programme to educate the people, particularly those engaged in gem mining, on how gem mining impacts the environment and measures that can be taken to mitigate them. This is not something that the Government can do alone. All other stakeholders including the gem business community should get together and discuss what needs to be done. We don’t need to give up gem mining to protect the environment. It is just that we need to do it in a way that is not harmful to the environment. Even the traditional gem miners did this balancing, and with modern technology, it can be done easily.

How do you see the foreigners’ involvement in the local gem industry?

Foreigners’ involvement in the gem industry is currently limited as a result of the monopolistic approach of local groups and political interferences that have negatively affected the related regulation processes. Compared to the situation that existed around two decades ago, not many foreign merchants including those from Thailand and China can be seen in gem fairs today. Also, Ratnapura was one of the major tourist attractions in the past, but, that situation has also undergone a massive change. When traditional gem mining was there, the foreigners loved visiting gem mines and seeing how it was happening. However, tourists don’t seem to be much interested in machinery-based gem mining.