Bengaluru: Large quantities of gold and lithium have been discovered in forest areas of Koppal and Raichur districts, but mining activities have not begun as the locations fall under protected forest zones and require clearance. The state Mines and Geology Department has prepared a list of 65 locations where the study and exploration for gold and other rare earth minerals is happening.

“For the first time and in a rare case, we found 12-14 gm of gold per tonne in Amrapur block of Koppal district. Usually during studies and mining, it is around 2-3 gm of gold per tonne. At Hutti Gold Mines, it is around 2-2.5 gm. But the location in Koppal is in the virgin forest patch and we have applied for forest clearance,” department sources told The New Indian Express on Tuesday.

The study and explo

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