6000-tonne Gold mines in North Goa: Dr. Nandkumar Kamat

6000-tonne Gold mines in North Goa:

Dr Nandkumar

PTI, PANAJI | 03 January 2011

 

Goa's leading scientist Dr Nandkumar Kamat today claimed that there are deposits of gold scattered across the rock formation covering almost 15 per cent area of the state.

"In the area of one lakh hectare, there will be area of 20,000 to 40,000 ha which is gold bearing," Assistant Professor in Goa University's Botany Department Dr Nandkumar Kamat said.

He said the gold deposits are located somewhere 65 metres down the earth on 'Savordem rock formation' which runs from Northern taluka of Pernem and crosses capital city of Panaji and extends upto Salcette taluka.

Kamat said this is first such discovery in Asia and he has already submitted a confidential report to Goa Chief Minister Digamber Kamat seeking to have moratorium on excavations in North Goa below 60 metres depth or below sea level.

Claiming to have enough evidence, Kamat said the gold deposits in the state are estimated to be between minimum of 3,000 tonnes and maximum of 6000 tonnes worth Rs. 600 billion to Rs. 1200 billion.

He said Goa has a huge laterite stone presence, which is very significant from the point of view of gold.

The researcher has also not ruled out possibility of finding zirconium, hafnium, uranium and thorium deposits in Panaji.

In his letter to the Chief Minister on December 30, Kamat has insisted that a technical committee be formed for carrying out systematic geo prospecting and geochemical studies.

"No mining (of gold) should be permitted till full geochemical prospecting is over," Kamat added.