Bihar to allow exploration of India's 'largest' gold reserves in Jamui

Tags: State News

The Bihar government has decided to allow the exploration of "country's largest" gold deposits in Jamui district.

• According to the Geological Survey of India (GSI) survey, around 222.88 million tonnes of gold reserves, including 37.6 tonnes of mineral-rich ore, are present in Jamui district.

• The state's Mines and Geology Department is in consultation with agencies engaged in exploration, including the GSI and the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), for the exploration of gold deposits in Jamui.

• The state government will sign an MoU with a central agency for G3 (preliminary) stage exploration within a month.

• In certain areas, G2 (general) exploration can also be carried out. 

• Bihar's gold reserve

• Bihar has 222.885 million tonnes of gold metal, which is 44% of the total gold reserves of the country.

• As per the National Mineral Inventory, the total resource of primary gold ore in the country as on 1st April 2015 is estimated to be 501.83 million tonnes with 654.74 tonnes of gold metal.

• Of this, Bihar is endowed with 222.885 million tonnes (44 per cent) of ore, of which 37.6 tonnes is the metal.

• Gold Reserves in India

• The largest resources of gold ore (primary) are located in Bihar.

• Followed by Rajasthan (25%), Karnataka (21%), West Bengal (3%), Andhra Pradesh (3% ), Jharkhand (2 %).

• The remaining 2% resources are in Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu.

• The U.S has the highest gold reserves.