 ".")
The issue of gold mining has made it to the policy makers’ table for the first time. The reason, according to sources, is that Department of Economic Affairs is considering a proposal to promote domestic gold mining as part of the comprehensive gold policy that is being finalised.
It could not be ascertained whether mining will be taken up in first phase or subsequently as views of mining and forest ministries have to be factored in. However, industry experts have said quoting government reports that at least 100 tonnes of gold can be mined a year in India, from a mere two tonnes currently, if mining is prioritised and permissions are issued as a part of the government's ease of doing business mission.
"It is essential that the proposed gold policy as declared in the Union Budget caters to the entire supply chain from mines to market. While much has been said about regulation on bullion and jewellery, it is essential that serious thought is given to the issue of exploring the country's gold mines, which will not only save foreign exchange but also generate a lot of employment in mining and refining field,” says Surendra Mehta, National Secretary, Indian Bullion and jewellers Association.
The finance minister had said in his Budget speech that a comprehensive gold policy was being prepared. While the policy covers every aspect, from sourcing gold to trading and investing in it, experts assert that the policy is incomplete if mining of gold in India isn't promoted.
Nick Spencer, Managing Director, Galaxy Gold Mines says, “A hundred tonnes of gold is already defined as a mineable reserve in India.” He quotes from a report submitted to the the Core Group on Gold and Precious Metals constituted by the Union Ministry of Mines, which had estimated the total unrefined gold resource base in the country as on April 1, 2011 at 658 tonnes of metallic gold. The report also stated that this tonnage is spread over 13 different states. Of this tonnage 167 tonnes (139 in Karnataka and 27.5 in Andhra Pradesh alone) is categorised as reserves in the sense that it is economically mineable. The remaining about 491 tonnes is classified as resource, of which 265 tonnes is the actual drilled resources and the remaining 226 tonnes is the projected potential resource.
It could not be ascertained whether mining will be taken up in first phase or subsequently as views of mining and forest ministries have to be factored in. However, industry experts have said quoting government reports that at least 100 tonnes of gold can be mined a year in India, from a mere two tonnes currently, if mining is prioritised and permissions are issued as a part of the government's ease of doing business mission.
"It is essential that the proposed gold policy as declared in the Union Budget caters to the entire supply chain from mines to market. While much has been said about regulation on bullion and jewellery, it is essential that serious thought is given to the issue of exploring the country's gold mines, which will not only save foreign exchange but also generate a lot of employment in mining and refining field,” says Surendra Mehta, National Secretary, Indian Bullion and jewellers Association.
The finance minister had said in his Budget speech that a comprehensive gold policy was being prepared. While the policy covers every aspect, from sourcing gold to trading and investing in it, experts assert that the policy is incomplete if mining of gold in India isn't promoted.
Nick Spencer, Managing Director, Galaxy Gold Mines says, “A hundred tonnes of gold is already defined as a mineable reserve in India.” He quotes from a report submitted to the the Core Group on Gold and Precious Metals constituted by the Union Ministry of Mines, which had estimated the total unrefined gold resource base in the country as on April 1, 2011 at 658 tonnes of metallic gold. The report also stated that this tonnage is spread over 13 different states. Of this tonnage 167 tonnes (139 in Karnataka and 27.5 in Andhra Pradesh alone) is categorised as reserves in the sense that it is economically mineable. The remaining about 491 tonnes is classified as resource, of which 265 tonnes is the actual drilled resources and the remaining 226 tonnes is the projected potential resource.
