부산대학교 도서관

This paper investigated the heavy minerals of coastal sediments, economic prospect and potential placer mining for the extraction of beach sediments. The Cox’s Bazar has been considered as a good source of heavy minerals which has covered approximately 120 km area at the southeastern coast of Bangladesh. The present study includes several deposition points, such as Kutubdia, Dhalghata, Sonadia, Diabetes Point, Sunny Beach Point, Laboni Point, Sughandha, Kolatoli, Doria Nagar, Himchori, Inani, Patuartek, across over the north to south Cox’s Bazar Sea beach. Physical separation technique (density, magnetic, and electric) was used to separate heavy minerals from beach sediments. In total coastal areas, the beaches of Inani, Sugandha, Sonadia, Teknaf, and Laboni points have deposited a higher portion of heavy mineral which is around 46%. The investigation has identified as many as 19 varieties of heavy minerals in collected samples from different areas of the beach. Some of them are Ilmenite, Kyanite, Garnet, Rutile, Zircon, Magnetite, Augite, Hornblende, Enstatite, Epidote, Andalusite, Hypersthene, Diopside, and Cassiterite. However, Ilmenite, Zircon, Garnet, Rutile, Magnetite, and Topaz (Silica) were found in higher quantity overall the areas. A placer mining method for extraction has been recommended based on heavy mineral content, ocean wave direction, sedimentation rate, and equipment cost estimation.