Nov 19, Colombo: The Geological Survey and Mines Bureau (GSMB) of Sri Lanka has planned to conduct a high tech aerial survey to find geological resources in the country.

The Chairman of the Bureau Dr. N.P. Wijayananda says that the focus is on the metallic mineral deposits and other underground resources.

The Bureau has planned to use equipment that traces radioactivity and magnetism for the survey. A special low-flying airplane and a helicopter will be used for the exercise. The airplane will fly at an altitude of around 100 meters while the helicopter will be used in mountainous areas for the survey.

The official said that this type of equipment could not be used before 2009 due to the decades-long terrorist problem in the country. The last time Sri Lanka conducted such a survey was in 1956, the official added.

The Bureau has sought assistance of several foreign institutes to conduct the survey.

The cost for the project is estimated to be around US$ 17 million.