A mineral jackpot: Karnataka found gold and lithium but still can’t take them india news

Karnataka’s Geology Department has reported significant traces of gold and lithium in forested parts of Koppala and Raichur districts, one of the state’s most promising mineral discoveries in recent years. However, the discoveries are within protected forest areas, and mining cannot proceed without mandatory clearance. As a result, the state now faces a complex decision shaped equally by economic opportunity and environmental responsibility.

Inside these forest areas, survey teams say they have encountered unusually rich mineral deposits. In some areas, the findings far exceed anything previously recorded in the region.

Yet the minerals remain untouched, locked beneath layers of old-growth forest, where excavation cannot begin without formal approval. The tension between development and conservation has led to debate over these deposits rather than discovery.

What have the survey teams found?

In Amarpur block of Koppala district, preliminary tests have revealed gold content as high as 12 to 14 grams per tonne of ore. This is significantly higher than the 2 to 3 grams per ton often considered viable in many commercial mines. If confirmed through deeper drilling, the area could emerge as one of the richest gold-bearing areas in southern India.

Teams have found traces of lithium, a mineral of growing global importance, in the Amareshwar area of ​​Raichur district. Lithium is essential for batteries used in electric vehicles, energy storage systems, and modern electronics. In India, confirmed lithium reserves are scarce, and Karnataka being added to that short list is seen as a strategically important development.

These are just two highlights from the extensive exploration effort. The state is currently studying about 65 locations for minerals ranging from copper and cobalt to rare earth elements, bauxite, chromium and even uranium.

Why is the work stuck on the surface?

Despite strong interest in the findings, the exploration has not moved to the next stage. The Geology Department has completed the preliminary work like reconnaissance, shallow excavation and fencing.

However, deeper drilling, which can go up to five hundred metres, requires official forest clearance. They have not been approved.

Forest officials argue that the areas involved contain sensitive ecosystems that cannot be opened up for mining without risking serious ecological damage. These are undisturbed forest areas that support wildlife corridors, groundwater recharge areas and long-established tribal settlements. Officials describe forests as an ecological asset that cannot be recreated once lost.

Pressure on ground teams

These discoveries have created unprecedented tension at the grassroots level. Field officers reportedly face pressure from many sides. Some groups want quick approval and faster progress, seeing the mineral reserves as a major economic opportunity. Others, including environmental activists and local communities, oppose any activity that disturbs the forest land, the New Indian Express reports.

Illegal mining efforts and opportunistic actors have also become a concern. Their presence has increased the risks faced by survey teams and added a layer of complexity to monitoring sites.

A big statewide mineral promotion

Exploration at Koppala and Raichur is part of a broader effort to identify new mineral deposits. More than 6 lakh hectares are being surveyed in various districts. Teams from the state geology department, Geological Survey of India and private agencies are involved.

Although some results appear promising, almost all projects are in the early data-gathering stage. Without environmental clearance, feasibility assessment and cost assessment, none of the findings can be translated into operational mines.

Karnataka will have to face a dilemma

The potential economic benefits are undeniable. Lithium, in particular, is a globally sought-after mineral that could strengthen the Kingdom’s position in the electric mobility and renewable energy sectors. The discovery of gold of this grade could reshape mining activity in areas that have not previously been associated with large-scale mining.

Yet the environmental argument is equally strong. Forests are not just open lands waiting for development. They are living landscapes that support biodiversity, regulate climate, protect water systems and shape local culture. Mining brings about long-term ecological disturbances, and once the land is altered, restoration is difficult and often incomplete.

Karnataka stands at a turning point. The choice going forward is not about whether the minerals exist, but whether the state should disturb its forest ecosystem to access them. This decision will influence policy, industry, and conservation for years to come.

For now, the gold and lithium lie beneath untouched soil. Whether they become a new source of revenue or remain preserved as natural heritage depends entirely on what the state chooses to prioritize going forward.