The Kolar region of Karnataka is famous for:

The Kolar Gold Fields (KGF), in the Kolar district of Karnataka, were for over a century India's most famous gold mines. Gold has been mined in this area since ancient times.

History of the Kolar Gold Fields:

• Ancient workings show that gold was extracted here long before the modern era, possibly by the Cholas and other rulers.
• Modern mining began in 1880 under the British company John Taylor and Sons, which developed deep mines.
• The mines were among the deepest gold mines in the world, reaching depths of about 3 km.
• KGF was one of the first places in Asia to receive electricity, which was used to power the mining operations; the town got electricity in 1902.
• After independence, the mines were nationalised and run by Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML) from 1972.

Production fell over the years as the ore became deeper and poorer, and costs rose. The mines were closed in 2001 because they were no longer profitable.

Gold mining in India today:

The Hutti Gold Mines in the Raichur district of Karnataka are now the main source of gold mined in India. They are run by Hutti Gold Mines Company Limited, a Karnataka government company.

Karnataka is the largest producer of gold in India.

India's gold production is very small compared with its consumption, so India is one of the largest importers of gold in the world.

Other gold-bearing areas include the Ramagiri fields (Andhra Pradesh) and some deposits in Jharkhand.

About gold:

Gold is a precious metal that does not rust or tarnish. It is very malleable and ductile, and a good conductor of electricity.

Why not the other options?

• ✗Diamond mining in India is limited to a different region of central India.
• ✗Coal mining is not carried out in Kolar; Karnataka has no significant coal deposits.
• ✗Iron ore mining in Karnataka is concentrated in other districts, not Kolar.