GSI finds gold & platinum group elements in K'TAKA, TN

The Geological Survey of India has discovered gold and platinum group elements in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, respectively,a senior official said Wednesday.

GSI has discovered two major deposits that pertains to gold and Platinum Group Elements, M Sridhar, Additional Director General, GSI, Southern Region, told reporters.

The gold was found in Karnataka's Ajjanahalli. GSI has estimated a resource of 1.26 million tons, he said.

The Platinum Group Elements (PGE) were discovered at Tasampalaiyam in Tamil Nadu, M Sridhar, Additional Director General, GSI, Southern Region, told reporters.

"We have estimated a resource of 0.402 million tons with a cut off of 1.52 ppm (parts per million) and 0.329 million tons with a cut off of 1.72 ppm," he said.

Limestone was discovered in Guntur and Kurnool districts in Andhra Pradesh, Belagavi district in Karnataka and Cuddalore district in Tamil Nadu, Sridhar said.

In Andhra Pradesh, GSI recently discovered a diamondferous kimberlite in Wajrakarur Kimberlite Field which is a known area for diamond picking, he said.

GSI has conducted a preliminary survey at Uddanam area near Srikakulam in Andhra Pradesh where a high incidence of kidney problems among the local population has been noticed, he said.

"We have collected the potable water there, drinking water and other sources of water, we have analysed that, it proved that it does not contain anything in abnormal quantities and that too an element that can cause a kidney problem. That way, we have ruled (it) out," he said.

GSI has taken up another research programme as the problem remained there even after water was ruled out as a cause for the kidney problems, he said.