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Revival of Gold Mining at Kolar Gold Fields
Context:
The Karnataka government on Thursday cleared a proposal of the Centre for reviving gold mining and auctioning of 13 tailing dumps spread over 1,003.4 acres at Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) by the Bharat Gold Mines Ltd. (BGML).
- Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML), erstwhile public sector undertaking was incorporated in April, 1972 under the administrative control of Department of Mines with its office at KGF
- Engaged in (i) mining and production of gold mainly in KGF and (ii) in a few smaller operations in Andhra Pradesh.
More on News:
- Approximately 33 million tonnes of tailing dumps (extraction waste) are estimated to be lying at the 13 tailing dumps at KGF.
- It is estimated that processing one tonne of these dumps yields one gram of gold.
- A Cabinet meeting cleared the proposal submitted to the State government by the Centre under column 17 of the Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation (MMDR) Act, 1957, seeking the State’s consent for reviving gold mining at KGF.
About Kolar Gold Field Mines:
- KGF (Kolar Gold Fields) is situated 100 kilometres from Bangalore in Karnataka’s Kolar district.
- KGF has a rich history dating back to the first century BC.
- It has been a significant source of wealth for rulers in South India, including during the periods of the Satvahanas, Chola Empire, Vijayanagar Empire, and Tipu Sultan’s reign.
- The British mining company John Taylor introduced electric power in the 1920s.
- It was known as “Little England “ by the British, due to its more temperate Weather and a landscape more similar to Britain`s.
- Mining Legacy: Bharat Gold Mines Ltd. operated KGF from 1880 to 2001. Economic challenges due to declining gold yields forced its closure in 2001.
- Revival: In July 2010, the Supreme Court’s ruling cleared the path for resuming mining activities, including the auction of gold mines.
- The government later announced auction plans in 2016.
- Kolar has deposits of gold in India. These mines are among the deepest in the world which makes mining of this ore a very expensive process.
The Gold Mines in India:
- Karnataka: Kolar Gold Fields (KGF): The oldest gold mine of India.Hutti Gold Mines, Ganajur Gold Mine.
- Andhra Pradesh: Jonnagiri Gold Mine: The first privately owned gold mine of India, Ramagiri Gold Mine.
- Uttar Pradesh: Sonbhadra Gold Mines: The newly discovered gold mine of India,
- Jharkhand: Lava Gold Mine.
Interesting Facts About Gold:
- Gold is the only naturally yellow metal; others turn yellowish through oxidation.
- Gold is highly ductile, capable of being drawn into very thin wires.
- As a noble metal, gold is resistant to corrosion and oxidation.