Question : GOLD MINING UNDER THE SEA



(a) whether there is any possibility of the presence of gold under the sea;

(b) if so, whether the Government propose to undertake gold mining under the sea;

(c) if so, the details thereof; and

(d) if not, the reasons therefore?

Answer given by the minister


THE MINISTER OF HUMAN RESORCE DEVELOPMENT, MINISTER OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND MINISTER OF OCEAN DEVELOPOMENT (DR. MURLI MANOHAR JOSHI)

(a) Yes Sir. Marine wing of Geological Survey of India, under Department of Mines is carrying out seabed survey within the Exclusive Economic Zone. During the surveys of the EEZ, occurrences of gold have been found off Subarnaekha river mouth, off Orissa coast.

(b),(c)&(d) No Sir. The occurrences of gold off Orissa Coast are not of economic importance presently and it is not proposed to undertake mining.