(a) whether the Geological Survey of India has conducted any survey to explore new gold and diamond reserves in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof, State wise;
(c) whether the Government is formulating any scheme to exploit such reserves based on the
said survey;
(d) whether the Government proposes to involve private companies for this purpose; and
(e) if so, the details thereof ?
THE MINISTER OFSTATE IN THE MINISTRY OF CHEMICAL AND FERTILIZER AND MINISTRY OF MINES
(SHRI B.K. HANDIQUE )
(a) : Geological Survey of India (GSI) has conducted regional exploration for gold in the
States of Rajasthan, Karnataka, Jharkhand, Chattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Madhya
Pradesh, Kerala West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat and Uttaranchal. GSI has
also conducted search for kimberlite / lamproite rocks, the source rock for diamond.
(b) : Details of investigation carried out for gold and diamond by GSI during the last five
years (2003-04 to 2007-08) is given in Annexure.
(c) & (d) : Exploitation of reserves of all minerals whether surveyed by the GSI or by other
agency is done in accordance with the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and
Regulation) Act, 1957 which provides for the grant of mineral leases to Indian Nationals or
companies registered under the Companies Act, 1956. The Act provides for prior approval of
the Central Government in respect of Minerals included in the First Schedule which includes
gold and diamond. Mining leases are granted by State Governments.
(e) : Details of individuals and companies who during the last 10 years have been accorded
prior approval by the Central Government for grant of mining lease by State Governments is
available in the Ministry website http://www.mines.nic.in.
Annexure
Statement referred to in part (b) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No.483 to be answered on
21st October, 2008 regarding `Survey of Gold and Diamond Reserves` asked by Prof. Vijay Kumar
Malhotra and Shri Kiren Rijiju.
Investigations for Gold and Diamond carried out by GSI during the last five years (Field Season
2003-04 to Field Season 2007-08)
State Area of Investigation No. of Investigations GOLD Andhra Pradesh Anantapur, Cuddapah, Nellore, Warangal and Kurnooll districts 11 Karnataka Raichur, Tumkur, Chitradurga, Gadag, Bellary, Devangere, Dharwar, Belgam, North Kannara districts 35 Tamil Nadu Nilgiri, Krishnagiri & Thiruvanamallai districts 4 Rajasthan Banswara, Ajmer, Bhilwara, Udaipur, Jaipur and Dungarpur districts 19 Jharkhand Ranchi and West Singhbhum, Saraikela and Kharsawan 17 Madhya Pradesh Katni, Jabalpur and Balaghat districts 5 Chhattisgarh Kanker, Mahasamund and Raipur districts 7 Kerala Palakkad, Malappuram and Waynad districts 3 West Bengal Bankura district 3 Uttar Pradesh Sonbhadra and Jhansi districts 6 Maharashtra Bhandara and Nagpur districts 2 Gujarat Jamnagar district 2 Uttaranchal Chamoli district 1 DIAMOND Orissa Bargarh, Jharsuguda, Sundergarh, Sambalpur and Nuapara districts 5 Andhra Pradesh Anantapur, Khammam, Nalgonda, Mahaboobnagar, Warangal and Kurnoool districts 22 Karnataka Raichur and Bellary districts 5 Chattisgarh Kanker, Bastar, Durg, Raipur, Raigarh and Mahasamund districts 6 Madhya Pradesh Datia district 1