Question

Which is the biggest gold mine in India?
A. Champion Reef
B. Nandidurg
C. Hutti
D. Bellara

Answer 1

Hint: The biggest gold mine currently produces around 1,400-1,600 kgs of gold per year. A look at the history of all the given mines is an easy way to spot the answer. Two of the given mines are currently closed and another one had been abandoned since earlier.

Complete Answer:
A. The Champion Reef gold mine is not the biggest gold mine in India. Instead, Champion Reef was the deepest gold mine in India as well as the world before it was closed down. Thus, this is not the correct answer.

B. Nandidurg was another gold mine in the Kolar gold fields. It was shut down along with the other mines in the area by 2001. Thus, this is not the correct answer.

C. Hutti gold mine in the Raichur district of Karnataka is the biggest gold mine of India. Therefore, this is the correct answer.

D. Bellara gold mines are old gold mines in the state of Karnataka. It is situated close to the famous Boranakanive dam. This was a mine used during the British rule and is now nonfunctional for many years. Therefore this is not the correct answer.

Therefore, the correct answer is Option C.

Note: The Champion Reef Gold mine, situated in the Kolar Gold Fields, was 3128 metres deep.
- The Kolar Gold Fields and all the mines in it were closed down by the government on 28 February 2001, despite gold reserves still remaining there. This was done for economic and environmental reasons.
- Karnataka is the leading state in the total gold production in India. Producing 80% of the total gold in India, Karnataka is also called the ‘Land of Gold’.
- In March 2020, Gold reserves were found in the Sonbhadra district of Uttar Pradesh where it is estimated to contain more than 2,900 tonnes of gold. The state government plans to auction the mines.