Illegal Gold Scavenging Persists Decades After Kolar Gold Mines Closure
More than a quarter-century after the official shutdown of Bharat Gold Mines Limited, the allure of gold continues to drive illegal scavenging activities in the historic Kolar Gold Fields (KGF). In two separate enforcement actions, the Oorgaum police have apprehended 16 individuals, including a significant number of women, for unlawfully entering restricted mining zones to pilfer mud containing traces of gold ore.
Recent Police Crackdowns on Illegal Activities
The first incident unfolded on February 6, when vigilant security staffer Thygavelu detected eight men inside the Griffort's shaft area. The intruders had allegedly breached the protective fencing and were actively filling gunny bags with soil believed to harbor minute gold particles. Upon receiving the alert from the guard, police swiftly arrived at the location and took the accused into custody.
Merely four days later, on February 10, security guard Shankar observed another group of eight individuals attempting a similar illicit operation. This second gang was also intercepted and escorted to the Oorgaum police station for further legal proceedings.
The Temptation of Quick Money Amid Soaring Gold Prices
Law enforcement officials explain that the motivation behind these illegal acts is straightforward: even minuscule flecks of gold concealed within ore-mixed soil can translate into immediate financial gain. Under the veil of darkness, trespassers surreptitiously cut through fences and gather sacks of mud, intending to chemically process the material to extract precious metal traces.
The accused have reportedly confessed to extracting tiny gold particles and selling them to local jewelers. Police Circle Inspector Markondayya highlighted that during the peak mining era, one tonne of ore could yield approximately three to four grams of gold. "Even today, people believe that small amounts of ore remain in discarded heaps and the same can be recovered through chemical extraction," he stated.
Historical Context and Local Practices
Advocate Velayudham of Robertsonpet noted that local residents have long engaged in collecting residual mud from drains near jewelry shops, hoping to recover milligrams of gold dust left behind during polishing and washing processes. With gold prices reaching unprecedented heights, the temptation to extract even a single gram has driven many to risk arrest and legal consequences.
Authorities indicate that most of the apprehended individuals are habitual offenders who repeatedly trespass despite prior warnings. The town's landscape, characterized by massive cyanide dump heaps, often perpetuates the illusion that gold remains hidden beneath the soil. Tragically, this dangerous pursuit has claimed lives; in May 2020, three men succumbed to asphyxiation after entering a sealed mine shaft in search of scrap iron and leftover materials.
The persistent illegal gold scavenging in KGF underscores the enduring economic desperation and the powerful allure of gold, continuing to pose significant challenges for local law enforcement and community safety decades after the mines' official closure.
