Thorium-rich monazite beach sands along Beruwala and Pulmoddai: mineral export permits?

Sri Lanka’s coastal heavy mineral placers—notably the world-class Pulmoddai deposit north of Trincomalee and localized black sand pockets at Beruwala and Kaikawala—contain high concentrations of ilmenite, rutile, and zircon, alongside radioactive monazite (a phosphate of rare earth elements carrying up to 10% thorium oxide). Exploitation, concentration, and commercial handling are regulated by the Atomic Energy Regulatory Council (AERC) and Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB). Exporting bulk mineral sands requires radiological clearance certificates and export licensing to track fissile thorium and rare-earth supply chains.