Andhra Pradesh Targets 32 Percent Mining Sector Growth, Minister Says

The start of the Jonnagiri gold mining project represented a major step for Andhra Pradesh in one of the country’s largest mining efforts, according to Mines Minister Kollu Ravindra on Wednesday. At the project launch near Tuggali by Geomysore Services (India) Private Limited, he credited Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu for advancing the initiative. Ravindra noted the coalition government’s focus on expanding mining to help meet national mineral needs. He claimed the sector declined under the prior administration, with growth falling to 7 percent from 24 percent in the 2014-19 period. He also cited losses of 19,131 crore rupees to the state treasury from illegal sand mining and poor oversight. The minister highlighted new policies for transparency, including free sand distribution of nearly two crore tonnes. He added that exploration for gold, beach sand minerals, iron ore, and manganese aims for 32 percent growth. Gold deposits were also found in Anantapur and Chittoor districts, with auctions planned soon.