(FE)
In nothing short of a jackpot for the Uttar Pradesh government, geologists have discovered massive gold deposits in Sonbhadra district of eastern Uttar Pradesh. The discovery comes after two decades of search by the Geological Survey of India and the Uttar Pradesh Directorate of Geology and Mining. As per estimates, there are two goldmines with around 3,500 tonnes of gold ore in the Naxal-affected Sonbhadra district. This is around five times the current gold reserves of the country which stands at around 626 tonne.
According to District Mining Officer KK Rai, the government is thinking of putting these deposits on lease for mining. The GSI had first said in 2005 that there were gold deposits present in Sonbhadra. The claim that goldmines are present beneath the mountains in the Naxal-hit district of Uttar Pradesh were confirmed in 2012. As per officials, a seven-member team has been set up for survey and soon auction of the blocks will begin.
