How Titanium Sands Secured Key Licenses to Unlock Sri Lanka’s Mineral Sands
Titanium Sands Limited has secured one-year retentions for four high-grade exploration licenses, enabling critical environmental studies and paving the way for a mining license application in Sri Lanka.
- Retention granted for EL423, EL424, EL425, and EL351 licenses
- Licenses cover high-grade zone identified in 2023 Scoping Study
- Environmental Impact Assessment underway following Terms of Reference issuance
- Retentions enable completion of environmental studies required for mining license
- Next step: application for Industrial Mining License upon EIA completion
License Retentions Secure Project Momentum
Titanium Sands Limited (TSL) has taken a significant step forward in its Mannar Heavy Mineral Project in Sri Lanka by securing one-year retentions on four exploration licenses (EL423, EL424, EL425, and EL351). These licenses, granted by the Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB), cover the high-grade mineral zone identified in the company's 2023 Scoping Study, underscoring the project's promising potential.
Environmental Studies Underway
The retentions come at a critical juncture, allowing TSL’s consultants to proceed with the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) process. This follows the issuance of the Terms of Reference (TOR) by the GSMB in March 2025, which outlines the environmental study requirements. Completing the EIA is a vital regulatory milestone, ensuring that the project meets Sri Lanka’s environmental standards and community expectations.
Pathway to Industrial Mining License
With the retentions in place, Titanium Sands is positioned to apply for an Industrial Mining License (IML) upon EIA completion. The IML is essential for advancing from exploration to production, granting the company the legal authority to mine the identified mineral sands. Managing Director Dr James Searle highlighted the Sri Lankan government’s supportive stance, emphasizing the company’s focus on delivering a high-grade mineral sands operation once all approvals are secured.
Strategic Importance and Next Steps
This regulatory progress not only validates the project’s technical promise but also signals growing confidence from local authorities. The one-year retentions, expiring between mid-November and mid-December 2025, provide a clear timeline for completing environmental studies and preparing the mining license application. Investors and stakeholders will be watching closely for updates on the EIA findings and subsequent licensing decisions.
Overall, the announcement marks a steady advance in a complex regulatory landscape, bringing Titanium Sands closer to unlocking the value of its Sri Lankan mineral sands assets.
Bottom Line?
With license retentions secured, Titanium Sands is poised to move from exploration to mining—pending environmental and regulatory approvals.
Questions in the middle?
- What is the expected timeline for completing the Environmental Impact Assessment?
- How supportive is the Sri Lankan government toward granting the Industrial Mining License?
- What are the potential environmental or community challenges that could affect project approval?
