Value Addition to Natural Resources and Minerals in Sri Lanka: A Science-for-Policy View

Sri Lanka, a nation rich in natural resources and minerals, has yet to fully exploit its minerals. There are enormous untapped opportunities for the mineral industry's contribution to boosting the economy. The objective of this paper is to examine the technical report (TR) recommendations proposed at the Ninth Biennial Conference on Science and Technology of Sri Lanka (BICOST) from the perspective of science for policy. TRs provide comprehensive analyses of the local mineral sector and propose a range of recommendations for value addition, high quality, and purity of minerals, as well as the need for scientific data from chemical analysis to take advantage of the industry on the island toward a more value-added, sustainable economy.