In a landmark decision blending legacy and innovation, India is reopening the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF) in Karnataka—its first gold mining restart since independence. Once famed as the “Golden City of India,” KGF lay dormant since its closure in 2001. Now, it is poised for a modern comeback through surface-level gold recovery.

✅ What’s happening?

In June 2024, the Karnataka cabinet approved the Union Government’s proposal to begin surface mining across 13 tailings dumps spread over 1,003 acres of land formerly held by Bharat Gold Mines Ltd (BGML). These tailings, though waste from older operations, hold untapped gold reserves.

💰 How much gold?

  • 32 million tonnes of tailings

  • 23 tonnes of recoverable gold

  • 750 kg/year projected annual output

    • 🛠️ Modern methods, no deep shafts

    Unlike past underground mining, this revival employs heap leaching and carbon-in-pulp (CIP) techniques—making gold extraction cheaper and safer.

    🏛️ Why it matters:

    • India’s first post-independence gold mining revival

  • Reduces reliance on gold imports

  • Reignites national mining legacy

  • Generates employment and boosts Kolar’s local economy

    • ⏳ What’s next?

    With state and central approvals in place, initial surface operations will begin soon. Full-scale mining awaits environmental and operational clearances.

    The KGF revival isn’t just about gold—it’s about reclaiming history with future-ready tools.