Lucknow: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has found around 3,000 tonnes of gold — five times India’s total gold reserves — in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh. This is touted as the biggest discovery of gold deposits in the country.
The deposits at Son Pahadi are estimated to be around of 2,943.26 tonnes and that at Hardi block is around 646.16 kg. The market value of the gold is estimated to be around Rs 12 lakh crore.
The discovery came after GSI experts surveyed the area using electromagnetic and spectrometer devices from helicopters in many parts of the district.
Following the find, the UP government has begun the process of leasing the mines and geo-tagging has also been started. E-tendering of the mines will be done in due course, officials said.
GSI has reportedly been looking for gold in the district for about two decades now. But it was the British who had reportedly initiated the process of finding gold in the region.
