Just weeks after an environmental impact assessment (EIA) backed the mining of heavy mineral sands in a three-kilometre stretch on the Akkaraipattu to Komari coast in Ampara, another study has cleared the harvesting of sands from a 6.5km section between Kokilai and Kokkuthoduvai in Mullaitivu.The Government-owned Lanka Mineral Sands Ltd (LMSL) project is estimated to cost just Rs 500mn and also envisages the setting up of a processing plant at Karunaddukerny, north of Kokilai. The main minerals to be extracted are hi-titanium ilmenite, ilmenite, zircon, monazite, rutile and garnet. The mine life will be around 25 years.To read full story visit: http://www.sundaytimes.lk/210314/news/eia-clears-sand-mining-in-north-in-spite-of-flagging-environmental-drawbacks-436280.html