The Singareni gold exploration programme has begun at the Devadurga block in Karnataka, marking the coal miner SCCL’s entry into gold and copper. This note covers the Singareni gold exploration facts and the mining-law background for TGPSC and UPSC prelims.
Why in News?
The Telangana government launched a gold and copper exploration programme at the Devadurga block, Raichur district, Karnataka, where Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) secured exploration rights through central government auctions.
Singareni gold exploration: Key Facts for Prelims
- Executing agency: SCCL β traditionally a coal company β diversifying into non-coal minerals.
- Block area: about 199.13 sq km in Raichur district; the region lies in the gold-bearing HuttiβMaski greenstone belt of the Dharwar craton.
- Rights obtained via the Centre’s composite licence / exploration licence auctions under the amended MMDR Act.
- Significance: first goldβcopper exploration venture by a state PSU of Telangana; boosts critical-mineral self-reliance.
SCCL β static points
- Singareni Collieries Company Limited: joint venture of the Government of Telangana (51%) and Government of India (49%); HQ Kothagudem, Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
- Origin: Hyderabad (Deccan) Company Ltd (1886), renamed SCCL in 1920; mines the Godavari Valley coalfield across seven districts.
- Also runs the Singareni Thermal Power Plant at Jaipur (Mancherial) and solar plants.
Gold in India β static points
- Karnataka is the largest gold producer β Hutti Gold Mines (Raichur) is India’s only major producing gold mine; Kolar Gold Fields closed in 2001.
- Other gold belts: Ramagiri (Anantapur, AP), Sonbhadra (UP), Jonnagiri (Kurnool, AP β new private mine).
- MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 introduced the exploration licence for deep-seated and critical minerals and allowed private exploration; National Mineral Exploration Trust funds exploration.
Quick Revision Table: Singareni gold exploration
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Agency | SCCL (Telangana 51%, Centre 49%) |
| Block | Devadurga, Raichur district, Karnataka |
| Area | 199.13 sq km |
| Minerals | Gold and copper |
| Rights via | Central government auction |
| SCCL HQ | Kothagudem |
| Nearby gold mine | Hutti (Raichur) |
Trap / Confusing Points: Singareni gold exploration
| Confusion | Correct Position |
|---|---|
| Devadurga block is in Telangana | No β Raichur district, Karnataka |
| SCCL is a central PSU | No β Telangana holds 51%; Centre 49% |
| Kolar Gold Fields is still operating | No β closed in 2001; Hutti is the main producing mine |
| Exploration rights were allotted by Karnataka | Secured through central government auctions |
5 Practice MCQs on Singareni gold exploration
1. The Devadurga gold and copper exploration block is located in which district?
a. Bellary
b. Raichur
c. Kolar
d. Dharwad
Ans: B
Explanation: Devadurga is in Raichur district, Karnataka, near the Hutti gold belt.
2. Singareni Collieries Company Limited is jointly owned by:
a. Telangana and Andhra Pradesh
b. Telangana (51%) and Government of India (49%)
c. Coal India and Telangana
d. Telangana and NTPC
Ans: B
Explanation: SCCL is a Telangana-majority JV with the Union government.
3. India’s only major operating gold mine, Hutti, is in:
a. Andhra Pradesh
b. Jharkhand
c. Karnataka
d. Rajasthan
Ans: C
Explanation: Hutti Gold Mines Ltd operates in Raichur district, Karnataka.
4. The ‘exploration licence’ for deep-seated and critical minerals was introduced by:
a. MMDR Amendment Act, 2015
b. MMDR Amendment Act, 2021
c. MMDR Amendment Act, 2023
d. Mines Act, 1952
Ans: C
Explanation: The 2023 amendment created exploration licences for 29 critical and deep-seated minerals.
5. The headquarters of SCCL is at:
a. Hyderabad
b. Kothagudem
c. Warangal
d. Ramagundam
Ans: B
Explanation: SCCL is headquartered at Kothagudem in Bhadradri Kothagudem district.
Exam tip: Revise Singareni gold exploration together with the static links above; UPSC and APPSC prelims often frame questions from these interconnections.
To learn current affairs from exam point of view, Click here.
To know more about Singareni’s Devadurga exploration, Click here.
