Geological Survey of India and Uttar Pradesh Directorate of Geology and Mining have found gold deposits amounting to 3,350 tonne in Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh.
District mining officer K.K. Rai told news agency ANI: "The government is thinking of putting these deposits on lease for mining, for which survey is being done."
"Gold deposits are found at two places—Sonpahadi and Hardi field. GSI estimated gold deposits of 2700 tonnes in Sonpahadi while 650 tonnes in Hardi filed," the news agency quoted Rai as saying.
The discovery is expected to give a boost to the finances of the state.
According to media reports, the discovery of the gold deposit could be around five times the current gold reserves the country has, which is 626 tonne.
The mining department of the state government has formed a seven-member team that will map the area and conduct geo-tagging, reported Business Today.
Due to their geographical position, the mines in Sonbhadra are easy to dig, Business Today quoted experts as saying.
