Centenary of Kolar Gold Fields, Karnataka

Kolar Gold Fields, located in Karnataka, have a rich history of gold mining dating back approximately 2000 years. The gold deposits in Kolar lie within a narrow band of rocks known as the Dharwar Series. Modern mining in this area began in 1880 when the English mining firm John Taylor & Sons initiated systematic mining operations. The Government of Mysore took over the mines in 1956, followed by the Government of India in 1962.

The development of the mines was greatly facilitated by the provision of railway connectivity in 1894 and the availability of electric power from the first hydel power station in Asia at Sivasamudram in 1902. Kolar Gold Fields boast some of the deepest mines in the world, with the deepest point reaching 3.2 kilometers below the surface. Inclined and vertical shafts were sunk along the reef or across the country rock to extract gold-bearing ore.

The underground excavations, including tunnels and shafts, extend for approximately 1000 kilometers. Safety measures such as steel arches lagged with timber, as well as support from granite, concrete, timber, and mill-tailing fill, are implemented to ensure the safety of mine workers due to the high stresses encountered in deep mines.

During the early years of mining, the gold content averaged about 40 grams per tonne of ore. Over the past century, around 46 million tonnes of gold-bearing ore have been extracted, yielding approximately 784 tonnes of gold. The current gold content is about 5 grams per tonne.

The management of Bharat Gold Mines Ltd., a Government of India undertaking, places significant importance on providing safe and hygienic working conditions for its employees. Measures such as instrumentation of working areas for monitoring rock failures, ventilation systems, dust suppression, fire-fighting equipment, and regular radiological examinations and sampling of underground ore for toxic dust are implemented.

With approximately 12,000 employees of various categories, the industry is labor-intensive, and efforts are made to educate workers on accident prevention. Additionally, emphasis is placed on employee welfare initiatives.

The Indian Posts and Telegraphs Department is pleased to commemorate the centenary of Kolar Gold Fields by issuing a postage stamp, acknowledging the historical significance and contributions of this mining region.