Dec 13, 2008 (LBO) -The Sri Lankan government has called for proposals from investors to develop a vein quartz deposit in the island’s south with the aim of making value-added products.

Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) officials said the deposit at Mahagama, near the town of Embilipitiya in the southern Moneragala district, is not being exploited at present.

They said they were seeking proposals from manufacturers as well as those with experience in mining and processing of vein quartz to set up processing and manufacturing plants for value added products.

The government’s call for proposals said it wants to explore prospects of commercial exploitation of the deposit to make hi-tech products mainly for the information technology and alternative energy industries.

Investors will first have to do geological surveys to evaluate the reserves and grade of the deposits, officials said.

The GSMB has done only an initial survey of the deposit and more detailed surveys were required to evaluate its size, officials said.