Gold And Lithium Found In Karnataka, Yet Mining Stalled. Here’s The Reason Why

Last Updated:December 11, 2025, 11:05 IST

Hidden beneath Karnataka’s untouched forests lie gold and lithium reserves, yet a single missing clearance has frozen all work, a discovery caught between promise and protection

With India possessing very limited confirmed lithium reserves, Karnataka’s find is considered strategically important.

The geology department of Karnataka has confirmed the discovery of significant gold and lithium reserves in the forested regions of Koppal and Raichur districts. This is regarded as one of the most important mineral finds in the state in recent years. However, the deposits lie within protected forest zones, meaning no mining activity can begin without mandatory clearances.

Karnataka now faces the complex task of balancing economic opportunity with environmental responsibility.

Exceptionally Rich Mineral Deposits Found

Survey teams have identified unusually rich mineral deposits deep inside these forests, with some findings surpassing previous records. Yet the minerals remain untouched, as the reserves lie beneath old, dense forests where excavation cannot begin without official permission.

This tension between development and conservation has turned the discovery into a wider debate.

Koppal: Gold Grades Far Higher Than Commercial Mines

In the Amarapur block of Koppal district, preliminary tests revealed 12 to 14 grams of gold per tonne of ore, far higher than the typical 2 to 3 grams per tonne found in most commercial mines.

If deeper drilling confirms these figures, the region could emerge as one of South India’s most productive gold-bearing zones.

Raichur: Signs Of Crucial Lithium Reserves

In the Amareshwar area of Raichur district, survey teams identified signs of lithium, a mineral increasingly vital for electric vehicle batteries, energy storage systems, and modern electronics.

With India possessing very limited confirmed lithium reserves, Karnataka’s find is considered strategically important.

Surveys Underway For Multiple Minerals

These are only two highlights from a much broader exploration effort. Surveys for copper, cobalt, rare earth elements, bauxite, chromium, and even uranium are being conducted across nearly 65 locations in the state.

Although surface surveys, light excavation, and preliminary mapping have been completed, deeper drilling, sometimes reaching 500 metres, cannot proceed without forest department clearance.

The forest department has emphasised that these regions are ecologically sensitive. Opening them for mining could cause serious and irreversible damage. These forests support wildlife corridors, groundwater recharge areas, and long-standing tribal settlements. Officials argue that once such ecosystems are disturbed, they cannot truly be restored.

Rising Pressure And Local Tensions

The discoveries have created considerable pressure at the ground level. Field officers are facing conflicting demands; some groups are calling for quick approvals, viewing the minerals as major economic opportunities, whilst environmental activists and local communities strongly oppose any disturbance to forest land.

As reported by the New Indian Express, attempts at illegal mining and individuals trying to exploit the situation have also become a growing concern, complicating monitoring efforts for survey teams.

Statewide Mineral Exploration Campaign

The work in Koppal and Raichur is part of a larger campaign to identify new mineral resources across Karnataka. Surveys are being conducted across more than six lakh hectares in various districts, involving the state’s geology department, the Geological Survey of India, and private agencies. Although some findings appear promising, most projects remain at an early stage.

Without environmental clearance, feasibility studies, and cost evaluations, no discovery can progress into a viable commercial mine.

Karnataka’s Crossroads: Economy Or Ecology?

Karnataka is now at a crucial decision-making point. The economic potential is undeniable: high-value gold reserves could transform mining activity, and lithium is globally sought after, especially for electric mobility and renewable energy sectors.

Yet the environmental argument is equally compelling. Forests are not empty land available for extraction; they are living ecosystems supporting biodiversity, regulating climate, protecting water sources, and shaping cultural heritage. Mining could cause lasting ecological imbalance, and restoration of damaged land is difficult and often incomplete.

For now, the gold and lithium remain beneath untouched forest land. Whether these minerals become a lucrative resource or remain protected as natural treasures depends entirely on what Karnataka chooses to prioritise. The decision will have long-lasting implications for policy, industry, and conservation in the years to come.

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