Miners in Ratnapura

Miners in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka engaged in 'river dragging'. This process involves dragging the soil in the river which includes the gem bearing layer. Later the miners will sieve the soil to find gemstones.

Gem miners using a traditional sieve

Miners using a traditional sieve to sort newly mined and washed stones to separate gemstones from other heavy minerals. (Ratnapura, Sri Lanka)

A miner working in a very deep gem mine

A miner working in a very deep gem mine in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.. The mine is lit as it is dark inside. The wooden structure is used to stop the earth from sliding down.

The miners engaged in working in a large gem mine in Ratnapura, Sri Lanka.

Gem bearing layer

The machine separates the earth from heavy stones from the gem bearing layer, which includes gemstones and other heavy minerals. (Ratnapura, Sri Lanka)

The color stones are being mined in a mine in the Ratnapura district in Sri Lanka.