17th April, 2002
Ministry of Coal  


GOLD DEPOSITS IN CHHATTISGARH Rajya Sabha


Mineral Resource Department, Government of Chhattisgarh has informed that Directorate of Geology and Mining has estimated 2780 kilograms of gold reserves in Sonakhan area of Raipur district and 25 kilograms of placer gold in Tapkara Barjor area of Jashpur district, Chhattisgarh. Indian Bureau of Mines have in their Indian Minerals Yearbook, 2001, categorized these deposits as possible and probable reserves only.

The exploration/exploitation of the gold deposits is governed in accordance with National Mineral Policy, 1993 and Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation), Act 1957. According to this Policy, gold, which was hitherto reserved for exploitation by the Public Sector, has been thrown open for Private Sector participation, both domestic and foreign. The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation), Act 1957 was amended in December 1999 to make the provisions more investor friendly.

This was informed by Union Minister for Coal & Mines Shri Ram Vilas Paswan in a written reply today in Rajya Sabha.