In Raichur, lithium-bearing pegmatites have been mapped for the first time in the state, adding Karnataka to the short national list that includes Jammu & Kashmir and Chhattisgarh.
But there is a catch: no drilling deeper than a few metres is allowed without Stage-I forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), and that permission has not been granted.
The Numbers That Have Everyone Talking
Mineral – Location – Grade/Indication – Commercial Benchmark
- Gold – Amrapur block, Koppal – 12–14 g/t (surface & shallow samples) – 2–3 g/t
- Lithium – Amareshwara, Raichur – lithium-bearing pegmatites identified – yet to be quantified
- Other finds – 65 blocks statewide – copper, cobalt, REE, bauxite, chromium – reconnaissance stage only
If the gold grades hold at depth, say 8–10 g/t after deeper drilling, a single 100,000-tonne-per-year mine could produce 25–30 kg of gold daily – worth Rs 18–22 crore at today’s Rs 1,30,000/10g rate.Why the Deposits Are Frozen
The sites fall under Reserve Forest and Eco-Sensitive Zones.
Stage-I forest clearance requires state government recommendation + MoEFCC approval under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.
Local forest officials have flagged wildlife corridors, groundwater recharge zones, and tribal settlements.
Environmental NGOs and community groups have already filed objections, citing irreversible damage to the Western Ghats-adjacent ecology.
Without clearance, the department cannot:
- Sink boreholes beyond 10–20 metres
- Conduct bulk sampling
- Estimate actual reserve size or economic feasibility
Ground Reality: Pressure, Illegal Mining, and Stalled Progress
Field teams report mounting tension:
- Political and industry lobbies pushing for “fast-track” approvals
- Reports of illegal prospecting attempts in the fenced areas
- Survey officers receiving threats and pressure to “show bigger numbers”
The state has now deployed armed forest guards and CCTV at key sites to prevent encroachment.The Bigger Picture: India’s Critical Minerals Push vs Green Commitments
The discoveries come at a time when New Delhi is aggressively chasing self-reliance in critical minerals:
- Lithium demand projected to hit 125,000 tonnes by 2030 for EV batteries
- Gold production stagnant at ~1.5 tonnes/year nationally
- 99% imported
Yet the Centre’s own National Critical Minerals Mission mandates that mining in forest areas must follow strict compensatory afforestation and Net Present Value payments – a process that routinely takes 2–4 years even for “linear projects”.
What Happens Next?
- Karnataka government has formed an inter-departmental committee to prepare the forest diversion proposal.
- If Stage-I clearance is granted (unlikely before mid-2026), G3-level exploration (deep drilling) can begin.
- Commercial mining, if viable, is realistically 5–8 years away.
Until then, the gold stays in the ground, the lithium stays unmapped, and Karnataka’s “mineral jackpot” remains exactly that – a jackpot nobody can cash.
For a state that contributed just 0.3% to India’s gold output and zero lithium so far, the discoveries are tantalising.
For its forests and tribal communities, they are non-negotiable.
The ball is now in the Ministry of Environment’s court – and whichever way it goes, someone loses.### Two Madhya Pradesh Friends Strike Diamond Jackpot: 15.34-Carat Gem Worth Over ₹50 Lakh Unearthed in Just 20 Days
In a classic rags-to-riches tale from India's diamond heartland, two young friends from Panna district in Madhya Pradesh have discovered a stunning 15.34-carat gem-quality diamond valued at over ₹50 lakh after only 20 days of mining on a tiny leased plot. The find, made in the diamond-rich soils of Krishna Kalyanpur, has sparked celebrations and envy among locals, turning the duo's modest dreams into a potential windfall.
#### Who Are the Lucky Miners?
- **Satish Khatik**: A 28-year-old who runs a small meat shop to support his family, often struggling with debts from daily expenses.
- **Sajid Mohammad**: A 25-year-old fruit stall vendor, equally burdened by financial pressures but bonded with Satish through years of friendship.
The pair, hailing from humble backgrounds in Panna—known as India's "Diamond City" for producing 99% of the country's diamonds—decided to try their luck in mining after hearing stories of quick fortunes. They leased a modest 8-meter (or about 40 square yards) plot in Krishna Kalyanpur for just ₹200 annually, a common entry point for small-scale miners under the state's liberal lease policy.
#### The Dig and the Discovery
Armed with basic tools, Satish and Sajid began digging on November 21, 2025, working tirelessly day and night on their small pit. Just 20 days later, on December 11, their perseverance paid off when they unearthed the raw, uncut diamond during routine sifting. "We couldn't believe our eyes—it was shining like a star in the mud," Satish reportedly said, as quoted in local reports. The stone's size and clarity immediately marked it as a high-quality specimen, far superior to the gravelly finds typical for novice miners.
#### What's Next? Auction and Payout
The excited duo wasted no time, depositing the diamond at the government-run Panna Diamond Office on the same day. Under Madhya Pradesh's mining regulations, all finds must be registered here before being certified and prepared for auction. The gem will join the next quarterly auction—held every three months in Bhopal—where buyers from across India and abroad bid fiercely.
Once sold, the friends will receive the proceeds minus deductions: an 11% royalty to the state government and 1% Tax Deducted at Source (TDS), leaving them with approximately 88% of the final bid amount. Experts estimate the polished diamond could fetch even more than the initial ₹50 lakh valuation, potentially transforming their lives—paying off debts, expanding businesses, or even building homes.
This discovery highlights Panna's allure for everyday dreamers, where over 100,000 small leases fuel a cottage industry amid stricter regulations on larger operations. While not every pit yields treasure, stories like this keep the hope alive in the dusty mines of Madhya Pradesh.
