In which state are Kolar Gold Mines located?, The present paper highlights that the historic gold mines are located in Karnataka, India. As one of the major gold-producing regions of the country, Kolar Gold Mines acquire a prime place in the annals of Indian mining and even today remain a point of interest for both historians and geologists.
| Section | Details | |
|---|---|---|
 | Introduction | An insight into the history of Kolar Gold Mines and its importance to India's economy. |
| Where is it located | The Kolar Gold Mines are situated in the state of Karnataka, India. | |
 | Historical Importance | Deals with the mining operations, the establishment of their importance to the Indian economy, and the closing down of the mines. |
| Current Status | Gives a feel of the status of the mines in reality and the impact on the local population. | |
| Conclusion | Tells you about the legacy and cultural importance of Kolar Gold Mines. |
History you need to know about Kolar Gold Mines
- The Kolar Gold Mines have a fascinating history and were discovered 2000 years ago during the Vijay Nagar Empire Era. Historically these Kolar Mines were called Kuvala, Kolahala, Kolahalapura, Kolala.
- In the 18th Century, Mysore Maharaja took control of the Gold Mines. Local communities engaged in small scale mining periodically.
- The Kolar Gold Mines were commercialized in 1873, Mysore state handed over the license to M.F. Lavelle who is a Madras civil engineer.
- In 1885, John Talor and sons secured a lease for the mines. This was called as the new era of K.G.F.
- Modern machinery and techniques were used for mining, transforming K.G.F. into a Large scale gold mine during the British Administration.
- Kolar lies on the Deccan Plateau, which is characterized by a layered coalition of prime volcanic and metamorphic rock.
- Over the millions of years high pressures and temperatures led to the deposition of the localized gold lodes within the rock formation.
- These valuable ore veins extended deep of about 3 Kilometers in some locations.
- The British rule brought a significant change to K.G.F. The town which was previously arid and inhospitable became a bustling and a popular mine hub.
- The British authorities proudly referred to Kolar as ‘Little England’. In 1889, one of India’s first power generation units was established to support mining operations. Mine were yielding tremendously and K.G.F. became synonymous with prosperity.
- The K.G.F faced tremendous challenges in 20th century. Gold was present, but due to the rising Gold prices and rising production costs of gold, it led to financial strain, which made the K.G.F. not to become economically viable.
| Topic | Information |
| Location | Kolar Gold Fields(K.G.F), mining region in K.G.F. taluk, Kolar district, Karnataka, India. |
| Headquarters | Robertsonpet serves as the headquarters, accommodating employees of Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML) and BEML Limited (formerly Bharat Earth Movers Limited), along with their families. |
| Distance | Approximately 30 kilometres (19 mi) from Kolar, 100 kilometres (62 mi) from Bengaluru, the capital of Karnataka. |
| Historical Significance | Over a century, K.G.F. has been renowned for gold mining activities. The mine closed on 28 February 2001 due to a decline in gold prices, despite the presence of gold still in the region. |
| Power Generation | In 1889, one of India’s first power-generation units was constructed to support mining operations in K.G.F. |
| Particle Physics Experiments | The mine complex hosted particle physics experiments from the 1960s to 1992. |
Kolar Gold Fields has a rich history associated with gold mining and technological advancements, including being the site for early power generation and hosting particle physics experiments.
| Topic | Information |
| Growth of Gold Mines | The expansion of gold mines in Kolar Gold Fields (K.G.F.) led to an increased demand for labor. People from Dharmapuri, Krishnagiri, Salem, North and South Arcot districts of Tamil Nadu, and Chittoor, Annamaya, and Sri Sathya Sai districts of Andhra Pradesh settled in the vicinity to meet the labor requirements. |
| Formation of Outskirts | Settlements began to form on the outskirts of K.G.F. due to the influx of people from neighboring districts. |
| Residential Areas | The well-to-do families of British and Indian engineers, geologists, and mine supervisors resided in the central part of the town. |
| Township Names | Robertsonpet and Andersonpet townships are named after two British mine officials, reflecting the historical influence of British figures in the mining operations. |
| Expansion due to BEML Limited | The establishment of BEML Limited contributed to the expansion of the city. This development not only provided employment opportunities but also attracted new residents to the area. |
National Geological Monument:
- The pyroclastic and pillow lava formations at Kolar Gold Fields have earned the designation of a National Geological Monument from the Geological Survey of India (GSI).
Purpose of Declaration:
- The declaration aims to ensure the protection, maintenance, and promotion of geotourism, recognizing the significance of these geological features in the region.
A Short Poem in Hindi on the Kolar Gold Mines:
कोलार गोल्ड फील्ड्स, ताजगी की खोज,
भूमि के गहराईयों में छुपा सोना।
विकसित नगर, इतिहास की बोध,
यहाँ की खानों में चमकता जीवन।
वीरता की कहानी, शान्ति की ध्वनि,
यहाँ के लोगों की मेहनत की कहानी।
अब वो खदानें खाली, अब वो शांत,
पर यादें बसी हैं, उन दिनों की बात।
अब भी वहां खड़े हैं वो लोहे के शाफ्ट,
जो गिरी थी एक समय, भारत की सोने की धार।
उन खदानों की रुद्रता, उनकी खामोशी,
याद दिलाती है भारत की सोने की धार।
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