Karnataka has officially struck mineral “white gold” and “yellow gold,” but the state finds itself in a high-stakes standoff with its own ecology. According to a recent report by News18.com, the state’s Department of Mines and Geology confirmed in November 2025 the discovery of some of the highest-grade gold and lithium deposits ever recorded in India.
The catch? This massive jackpot is buried deep within protected reserve forests, rendering it legally untouchable for the foreseeable future.
The Jackpot by the Numbers
A reconnaissance survey covering 6 lakh hectares has yielded data that has stunned industry experts. The grades found in the Amrapur block are nearly five times higher than what is typically required for a mine to be profitable.
| Mineral | Location | Discovery Grade | Commercial Benchmark |
| Gold | Amrapur, Koppal | 12–14 g/t | 2–3 g/t |
| Lithium | Amareshwara, Raichur | Pegmatite identified | N/A (Initial Stage) |
| Others | 65 Blocks | Copper, Cobalt, REE | Reconnaissance only |
The Financial Stakes: If these 14 g/t surface grades hold steady at deeper levels, a modest mining operation could generate $21 million to $26 million (₹18–22 crore) worth of gold every single day.
The Green Wall: Why the Drilling Has Stopped
Despite the staggering economic potential, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has not granted the Stage-I forest clearance required for deep drilling. The “frozen” status of these assets is due to three critical factors:
- Legal Protections:The sites are situated within Reserve Forests and Eco-Sensitive Zones governed by the Forest Conservation Act of 1980.
- Ecological Risks:Local officials have identified the areas as vital wildlife corridors and groundwater recharge zones.
- Human Impact:Tribal settlements and community groups have raised fierce objections, fearing the destruction of the delicate ecology adjacent to the Western Ghats.
Without this clearance, geologists are barred from sinking boreholes deeper than 20 meters, making it impossible to prove the actual size of the reserves.
Tensions on the Ground
The discovery has created a “pressure cooker” environment in rural Karnataka. As the state waits for federal approval, several issues have emerged:
- Security Lockdown:Armed forest guards and CCTV networks have been deployed to stop illegal prospecting and encroachment.
- Lobbying Wars:Political and industrial sectors are demanding “fast-track” status, while environmental NGOs have filed formal objections.
- The “Numbers” Game:Survey officers have reportedly faced threats to inflate data to influence policy decisions.
The National Tug-of-War
This discovery highlights the growing friction between India’s National Critical Minerals Mission and its Green Commitments.
India currently imports 99% of its gold and faces a massive lithium deficit as it pivots toward Electric Vehicles (EVs). While the Karnataka find could drastically reduce import dependency, the path to commercial mining is a marathon, not a sprint.
The Timeline Forward:
- Mid-2026:Earliest possible window for Stage-I clearance.
- 2027–2029:G3-level deep exploration and feasibility studies.
- 2031–2033:Realistically, the first gram of commercial gold is at least 5 to 8 years away.
For now, Karnataka sits on a fortune it cannot spend. The gold remains in the stone, and the lithium remains unmapped, as the nation decides which is more valuable: the riches beneath the trees or the trees themselves.