CM Chandrababu Naidu inaugurates Gold mining project in Jonnagiri

Jonnagiri (Kurnool dist): Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu inaugurating Jonnagiri Gold mining project in Kurnool district today said it’s beginning of golden era in Andhra Pradesh. He stated that the extraction of gold at Jonnagiri would restore the past glory of Rayalaseema.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the gold mining project established by Geo Mysore Services and Deccan Gold Mines at Jonnagiri and also laid foundation for the project’s second expansion unit and flagged off heavy vehicles transporting gold-bearing ore for processing.The Chief Minister visited the training centre where women and youth are being trained on simulator machines to operate heavy mining vehicles.The companies are investing Rs 405 crore in mining, processing and marketing gold from Jonnagiri. The project will initially produce 400 kilograms of gold annually, increasing to 900 kilograms in the next phase and eventually reaching 2 tonnes of annual production.CM Chandrababu personally inspected the mining and gold extraction processes and enquired about the final products, including gold bars, and was briefed by Geo Mysore Chairman Prabhakaran and Managing Director Naveen Lal Chandra on the entire process from mining to final production.

Later addressing a public meeting, the Chief Minister said today marks the beginning of a golden chapter in the history of Andhra Pradesh and this golden chapter begins in Ratnala Seema—Rayalaseema. The launch of the country’s largest private-sector gold mining project is a historic and auspicious development.The glory of Jonnagiri is not new. This region was once known as Swarnagiri and was renowned during Emperor Ashoka’s period. The Ashokan inscriptions found near Erragudi stand testimony to this region’s rich heritage. Rayalaseema has always been the land of precious stones and minerals. During the reign of Sri Krishnadevaraya, gems and precious stones were traded here in abundance. He said Gold mining will now restore its past glory and let us rename Jonnagiri as Swarnagiri.

The Chief Minister said with the arrival of gold mine, the lives of the local people should become prosperous. This village will be adopted and developed as a model village.India currently imports around 800 tonnes of gold annually, making it the country’s second-largest import after crude oil. Starting with 400 kilograms, we aim to eventually reach 50 metric tonnes of annual gold production, thereby reducing imports and conserving foreign exchange reserves.This project will generate substantial employment opportunities for local youth and become a growth engine for the region. Instead of transporting gold elsewhere for making jewellery, we will establish a Jewellery Park right here in Swarnagiri.

The Chief Minister said Industrialists are queuing up to invest in Andhra Pradesh because of the NDA Government’s credibility and governance.Every district in Rayalaseema is being developed industrially. Massive investments are coming in sectors such as space, aerospace, defence, electronics, automobiles, steel, cement and clean energy.India’s largest Drone City is being established in Kurnool. The Orvakal Industrial Node is being developed, and a High Court Bench will be brought to Kurnool.We brought Kia to Anantapur earlier, and now we have secured a Fifth Generation Fighter Jet project. On July 3, foundation stone will be laid for the Rayalaseema Steel Plant in Kadapa with a production target for 2028. The Kopparthy Industrial Node is also being developed, and Royal Enfield has been brought to Tirupati. As a son of Rayalaseema I will transform Rayalaseema into Ratnala Seema once again.

A new history has begun from Swarnagiri Gold Fields. Together, let us realise the dream of Swarna Andhra Vision 2047.The transformation of Rayalaseema through irrigation is also the achievement of our coalition government. In just two years, the government spent Rs 12,484 crore on irrigation projects in the region.Projects such as Telugu Ganga, Galeru-Nagari, Handri-Neeva, HLC, LLC, KC Canal and SRBC have changed the destiny of Rayalaseema. Under the Purvodaya Project, we have prepared plans worth Rs 40,000 crore to make Rayalaseema a horticulture hub.

The Chief Minister said 10,800 employees were brought back from the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) to the Old Pension Scheme (OPS), benefiting each employee by up to Rs 3 crore. Despite the financial burden on the government, these decisions were taken in the interest of employees.

On the occasion, Geo Mysore Services and Deccan Gold Mines presented the Government of Andhra Pradesh with a map of Andhra Pradesh made from gold produced at Jonnagiri. The Chief Minister announced that the memento would be displayed in the proposed museum at Amaravati. The first batch of gold produced at Jonnagiri Gold Fields was handed over by the Chief Minister to jewellery companies from Andhra Pradesh. The company management announced that the gold produced in Andhra Pradesh would be sold exclusively to jewellers within the state, ensuring benefits to the local economy.

Ministers Kollu Ravindra, Nimmala Ramanaidu, T.G. Bharat and officials participated in the programme.