Be part of radically changing the gem and jewelry industry for a better!

Mining is often a dirty business and has a strong negative impact on the nature and the communities involved. As shown in the video, our vision is to establish the world's first self-sustaining eco-friendly sapphire mine in Sri Lanka, with a focus on protecting the environment, improving the miner´s life, families and surrounding communities.

Why contribute to ECOMINE?

There is an unique opportunity to make a lasting positive change in the world of mining and the lives of the people behind the gems.

Just only in Sri Lanka 1 million people could benefit from our ECOMINE concept.

This project needs additional funding to move things forward.

Any small amount will help!

What are the social and environmental benefits of ECOmine?

1. Establish environmentally friendly and carbon footprint free mining operations by using solar and hydro energy
2. Creating additional income for the miners' families through the operation of an Aquaponic greenhouse with koi fish farming
3. Design eco-friendly mine facilities with clean sanitary solutions and safe cooking facilities
4. Ensuring a safe work environment both inside and outside the mine, as well as streamlining every aspect of the job to ease hard labour

Investing in this project means that every euro will be used towards the initial setup of ECOMINE.

In case we receive more funding than required, rest assured it will be utilized efficiently by implementing similar improvements on existing mines. Please contribute now and choose your perk!

Let´s make the world of gems and jewelry more sustainable, traceable and just fair for everyone!

Green mining approach to fight climate change

Our innovative approach to this green and ethical mining project significantly minimizes environmental impact and thus contributes to the fight against climate change and brings benefits to both the miners and the surrounding communities. It will set new standards for occupational safety and environmentally friendly, resource-conserving gemstone mining.

Creating alternative income for the miners as finding a sapphire is often like a lottery

With the integration of a side project (hydroponic greenhouse with a Koi fish farm), we will create an additional income for the miners‘  families, which will compensate for the natural fluctuations in mining yields, without taking the focus off the sapphires (as the miners are shareholders of the mine and depend on the findings) .

Proof of concept for a fully sustainable mining setup

Now a new and untouched mining land in Sri Lanka near Rathnapura, called the “City of Gems”, offers us this unique opportunity.

We have received our mining license. We are ready to start the project, but we need additional funding to move things forward. All the conceptual work has been completed, and we have partners in Sri Lanka on our side to help us get the project off the ground and ensure a long-term run.

Our vision is to build a fair and self-sustaining ecosystem from the ground up that will positively change the world of mining and the lives of the people behind the gems.

Overview of the new things the ECOMINE will implement

• All buildings on the mine site will be constructed from regionally grown bamboo. Bamboo is considered an extremely sustainable resource due to its rapid growth and ability to regenerate after harvest. It's also resistant to pests and diseases, making it an ideal material for environmentally friendly buildings. The design of our ECOMINE sites will set new standards in mining. Until now, such aspect has been paid little attention and is usually considered only as an unnecessary additional cost. However, we want to create an environment in which the miners, despite the hard work, enjoy spending time.
• We rely on green energy to completely eliminate fossil fuel generators (water pumps, lighting, etc.) and switch to solar and possibly wind energy in line with our aim is to leave no carbon footprint.
• Construction of a community hut where the miners can rest, eat and retreat from the work and occasionally harsher weather conditions
• Improving working conditions to reduce heavy physical labor as much as possible by introducing smart tools and working setups to be able to use them. E.g manual extraction of soil from the mine with the help of electric wings, use of an electric lifting cage to reduce the risk of falling, construction of soil depots to reduce physically heavy work.
• Improved hut design to eliminate the harm from smoke of open fires  and build separate clean cooking spaces
• Introducing eco-friendly sanitary solutions by setting up eco-friendly toilets and washing spaces with fresh water supply because on-side at the mines they usually don’t have any decent solution for the most important human needs
• Hydroponic greenhouse to generate additional income or reduce the cost of living for miners' families
• Providing miners' families with organic food to reduce cost of living  (no fertilizers required)
• Koi fish farm for water naturalization for the greenhouse and to generate additional income for the families by raising Koi fish from small to big
• Involving family members in the process of gardening and building a working community around the mine.

Gifts for the pledgers - a beautiful sapphire for your jewelry or a perfect gift for your dearest!

Help us make change possible and become an active partner in our innovative green mining project.

As a reward for your financial support, we would like to give something back to you directly from the miners in Sri Lanka. Depending on the amount of your funding, you will receive as a gift a beautiful sapphire from the land, as a rough stone or cut and polished in various sizes.

Unforgettable experience

For the very generous among you, we are offering a unique experience that money can't buy anywhere else – visiting ECOMINE on the ground in Sri Lanka and joining us to gain first-hand insights and take home an unforgettable experience.

To get started, we have budgeted a start-up budget of $20,000. However, our actual expenses to complete this project will be many times higher. We promise that every single cent donated will be used exclusively for equipment and the direct overhead costs of this project. In the undreamable event of achieving more than our actual cost we will start implementing the same measures at the next mine.

Who we are?

We are Peter & Leander, the founders of CEYLONS based in Munich. Peter has an engineering background and Leander an economic background, a great combination for long-lasting projects like this. We founded our company in 2016 with the mindset and vision to change the gemstone industry for the better (environmentally, socially and economically).

Over the last years we have gained a lot of experience from our existing sustainable mining operations in Sri Lanka. We have made many improvements and changes to existing mines to achieve more responsible and fair mining practices. Together with our Sri Lankan partners, we have pioneered and stand for fair trade sapphires from Sri Lanka, formerly known as Ceylon.

How did everything start?

Since his student days, Peter has had very close friends in Sri Lanka and even became godfather to their children. Strong personal relationships were also the beginning of acquiring first-hand gemstone and mining knowledge during the last decade. Over the years, we have often traveled together to Sri Lanka, falling in love with this beautiful, exotic island and its great people. We realized the potential of traditional mining and how to leverage it through innovation in a more fair and more environmentally sustainable way for the benefit of the people and the country.

Become our project partner and share our vision

It would be great if you support this project by donating and sharing this crowdfunding project or our video with friends and like-minded people.

Now it is up to you to support us in any way you can, this would give us a boost. The miners in Sri Lanka and their families will thank you.

Let’s TOGETHER make the world of gemstones and jewelry more sustainable, traceable and simply fair for everyone!

Just click on contribute next to the video and choose your perk to support the ECOMINE project to do something good and be part of this great change!

Klicken Sie einfach oben neben dem Video auf "Contribute" und wählen Sie Ihren gewünschten "Perk" aus, um das ECOMINE-Projekt zu unterstützen, etwas Gutes zu tun und Teil dieser großartigen Veränderung zu sein!

Update: 07.12.2023

Pressemitteilung 

ECOMINE: Die weltweit erste CO2-neutrale Edelstein-Mine

Die Münchner Saphir-Großhändler CEYLONS | MUNICH sind Pioniere im transparenten und umweltfreundlichen Bergbau für Edelsteine und setzen damit neue Standards.

• Gut für Umwelt: Die 100 % nachhaltige Saphir-Mine: Dank erneuerbarer Energien, Zero-Waste-Ansatz und sauberer Wasseraufbereitung
• Fair für Bergbau-Familien: Ein neuartiges Konzept für zusätzliche Einkommensquellen, sichere Arbeitsbedingungen und Arbeitserleichterungen
• ZDF und Arte berichten: Die ZDF-Dokumentation „Grünes Gold“ und ARTE „Nachhaltiger Schmuck“ stellen die ECOMINE als innovativen Meilenstein vor

Press release

ECOMINE: The world's first CO2-neutral gemstone mine

The Munich-based sapphire wholesalers CEYLONS | MUNICH are pioneers in transparent and environmentally friendly mining for gemstones, setting new standards.

• Good for the environment: The 100% sustainable sapphire mine: thanks to renewable energy, a zero-waste approach and clean water treatment
• Fair for mining families: A new concept for additional sources of income, safe working conditions and easier working conditions
• ZDF and Arte report: The ZDF documentary "Green Gold" and ARTE "Sustainable Jewelry" present ECOMINE as an innovative milestone

Download gesamte Pressemitteilung (PDF)

Download aktuelles Bildmaterial (JPG)

Details zur Umsetzung der ECOMINE

Aufbau und Start der ECOMINE (Video)

ZDF Reportage in der Mediathek (Video)

ZDF Reportage in der Mediathek (Video)

Update: 28.06.2024

Verlängerung des Crowdfundings bis Anfang August 2024 

Weitere Verbesserungen für die Bergbau-Communities sind geplant

• Ausbau der Unterbringungsmöglichkeiten für die Minenarbeiter
• Ausbau der Trinkwasser-Versorgung an die umliegenden Familien 
• Aufbau der Stromversorgung durch Solarenergie gewonnen an umliegenden Familien 

Crowdfunding extended until the beginning of August 2024

Further improvements for the mining communities are planned

• Expansion of accommodation facilities for the miners
• Expansion of the drinking water supply to the surrounding families
• Establishment of power supply through solar energy gained by surrounding families