Rs. 4,000 crore worth Gold deposits found at Bundelkhand

The Department of Mineral and Mines has found a Rs. 4,000 crore worth treasure trove of metals and minerals in Bundelkhand region. In a report, the department said the rocky terrain of Bundelkhand's seven districts — Jhansi, Jalaun, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Banda, Chitrakoot and Lalitpur — could become a potential 'revenue mine' for the state. Sonbhadra in eastern Uttar Pradesh is another place where gold deposits have been found. Bhaskar Upadhyay, Director, Geology and Mines Directorate said “the work has been completed at most of the exploration sites. We've found promising gold deposits in Bundelkhand and Sonbhadra.” Excerpts from the report show Bundelkhand having not only gold and platinum deposits, but also those of the industrial minerals potash, asbestos and silica worth more than Rs. 1,000 crore. So far, the state mined only minor minerals such as diaspore, dolomite, limestone, magnesite and phosphorite. This is the first confirmed presence of major minerals in the state. Bundelkhand: Bundelkhand is a geographic region of central India. The region is now divided between the states of Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, with the larger portion lying in the latter. The region was the site of the ancient Chedi Kingdom. The name of the region derives from the Bundela Rajputs, who succeeded the Chandel Rajputs as the rulers of the region in the 16th century. Bundelkhand's most well known place, however, is Khajuraho which has numerous 10th century sculptures devoted to fine-living and eroticism. The mines of Panna have been famous for magnificent diamonds; and a very large one dug from the last was kept in the fort of Kalinjar. What: Gold deposits found in Bundelkhand region When: October 27, 2013 Who: The Department of Mineral and Mines found the mines Where: Jhansi, Jalaun, Mahoba, Hamirpur, Banda, Chitrakoot & Lalitpur districts Worth: Rs. 4,000 crore