Ramagiri gold mines set to reopen after 25 years
The historic Ramagiri gold mines in the Sri Sathya Sai district may reopen after nearly 25 years, as the State government has initiated steps to
The historic Ramagiri gold mines in the Sri Sathya Sai district may reopen after nearly 25 years, as the State government has initiated steps to revive mining operations in the region. Mining operations at Ramagiri, once one of India’s major gold-producing belts, were halted in 2000 despite the area’s significant mineral potential. Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML), which operated the mines, held the mining lease from 1982 to 2002.
According to the Mines and Geology Department, improved economic conditions and advances in mining technology have enhanced the prospects of reopening the mines. “Advances in mineral extraction techniques now make it feasible to recover gold from lower-grade deposits that were previously considered uneconomical. At the same time, sustained increases in global gold prices have enhanced the commercial viability of such projects,” a senior official working on the feasibility report said.
Scientific studies conducted in recent years by the Geological Survey of India suggest that the Ramagiri gold belt extends for nearly 150 kilometres. Estimates indicate the presence of about 11.4 lakh tonnes of ore with an average grade of four grams of gold per tonne, translating into an estimated metal content of around 9.1 tonnes of gold, officials said. Meanwhile, a section of the public in the region stated that the recent visit of Minister of Mines Kollu Ravindra to the area and discussions with officials on the project have strengthened the revival prospects.
Officials stated that substantial quantities of mineral-bearing waste dumps accumulated during earlier mining operations have been identified. Preliminary surveys claim that these dumps could contain more than 4.16 lakh tonnes of material, much of which may still hold recoverable quantities of gold.
The BriefWire