SSC
Which state has the largest reserves (resources) of gold ore in India?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)View answer ▾Hide ▴
Answer: Option D — Bihar
Detailed Solution
According to the National Mineral Inventory data published by the Indian Bureau of Mines, Bihar holds the largest share of India's gold ore resources, about 44 per cent of the country's total. Most of these resources lie in the Jamui district, in the Karmatiya, Jhajha and Sono areas.
Important distinction: reserves versus production:
Having the largest gold ore resources does not mean that a state produces the most gold.
Bihar's gold deposits have not yet been mined on a large scale. Exploration by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) has been carried out, and the state has been preparing to auction mining blocks.
Karnataka is the largest producer of gold in India, mainly from the Hutti mines in Raichur district.
Other states with gold resources:
- Rajasthan, Karnataka, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh and Jharkhand also have significant gold ore resources.
- In terms of metal content (the actual amount of gold in the ore), Karnataka's deposits are richer, because their ore grade is higher.
India and gold:
- India is one of the largest consumers of gold in the world, mainly for jewellery and as a form of savings.
- Because domestic production is very small, India imports most of its gold.
The Jamui gold story:
- Reports about large gold deposits in Jamui drew national attention in 2021-22, when the state government said it would allow exploration and mining.
- Experts noted that the gold content per tonne of ore is low, so large-scale mining would need careful study.
About Bihar's mineral resources:
After Jharkhand was separated from Bihar in 2000, most of the old Bihar's minerals, such as coal and iron ore, went to Jharkhand. Bihar was left with fewer minerals, so the gold resources of Jamui are significant for it.
Why not the other options?
- ✗Jharkhand has some gold-bearing areas but much smaller resources.
- ✗Telangana and Maharashtra have very small gold resources.
Quick tip
Remember: Largest gold ore resources = Bihar (Jamui, about 44 per cent); largest gold production = Karnataka (Hutti mines).
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Minerals & Energy Resources — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Minerals & Energy Resources, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers India's mineral resources (iron ore, manganese, bauxite, copper, mica and others) and energy resources (coal, petroleum, natural gas, nuclear power and renewable energy), with their main producing regions, mines, oil fields and power plants. Questions often ask where a mineral is found, which state is the leading producer, or where an important power plant or oil field is located. For example, Jharia is known for coal, Digboi in Assam is the oldest oil field in India, and Tarapur in Maharashtra is the site of India's first nuclear power plant. Practise the minerals and energy resources questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.