Licenced gem mine owners and mining technicians had the opportunity of listening to and interacting with an eminent personality – Dr Jurgen Weyer , Mining engineer of the Institute of Mining Engineering and Special Civil Engineering , Frelberg, Germany at the ‘NGJA’ Auditorium- Ratnapura on 11th August 2008 . This is part of the service the National Gem and Jewellery Authority is offering to the industry.
At this presentation professionals from the mining sector who participated in the event learnt many important techniques that can be applied in their day to day mining activities.
Dr Weyer explained in detail how mining activities are carried out in Germany, facts about Freiberg University and its mineral collection with special emphasis on subsurface gases encountered during mining operations.
He explained how to detect subsurface gases with the help of modern equipment , and demonstrated their function . Dr Weyer described various harmful gases such as Carbon Dioxide (Co2) , Carbon Monoxide (CO), Nitrous Oxide (NO), Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2), Sulphur Dioxide( S02) and Methane (CH4); encountered in mining operations and how to detect them and prevent accidents .
Drawing examples from his experience in the German mining industry ,Dr Weyer explained what precautions Sri Lankan gem miners should take to guard against mining accidents . The question and answer session which followed the presentation gave the audience the opportunity to gain from the experience and knowledge of Dr Weyer.
The presentation was translated to Sinhala by Mr G. W. Amarasiri, mining engineer of NGJA.
‘NGJA’ plans to have similar awareness programmes on a regular basis for the members of the trade , providing them bith the opportunity of gaining from the experiences and knowledge of experts both local and foreign who have excelled in various fields connected with the gem and jewellery industry.
This article is reproduced with kind permission from the National Gem and Jewellery Authority
