Andhra Pradesh to Re-Auction Historic Ramagiri Gold Blocks in 2026
The Government of Andhra Pradesh is preparing to re-auction the Ramagiri North and Ramagiri South Gold Blocks in the Ananthapuramu district, with a Notice Inviting Tender (NIT) proposed for July 2026, according to Mukesh Kumar Meena, Principal Secretary of the Mines Department.
The two gold-bearing blocks, located in the Rayalaseema region's Ramagiri mandal, cover a total area of 2,000 hectares — 1,000 hectares each in the northern and southern sectors. The blocks will be offered under a Composite Licence (CL) and have been explored up to the G4 reconnaissance level by the Mineral Exploration, Research and Innovation Trust (MERIT).
The Ramagiri Gold Field boasts a long mining history dating back to ancient times. Modern commercial mining occurred between 1905 and 1925 under companies managed by John Taylor and Sons of London. During that period, the Chennabhavi Mines produced 1,36,633 ounces of gold from 2.21 lakh tonnes of ore, while the Jibutil Gold Mines yielded 39,116 ounces from 1.40 lakh tonnes of ore. Mining operations were suspended during the First World War and were never fully revived.
The region later came under Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML), the central government undertaking that operated the Kolar Gold Fields (KGF). However, BGML's operations closed in 2001. Geological experts consider the Ramagiri Greenstone Belt a significant gold-bearing belt of the Eastern Dharwar Craton, comparable to the Kolar, Hutti, and Veligallu gold belts. According to official records, MERIT's preliminary investigations identified ancient workings and previously mined zones across both blocks, indicating promising gold mineralisation. Earlier exploration data generated by GMSI, which held reconnaissance permits from 2001 to 2004, also forms part of the available geological database.
The blocks were previously auctioned to Andhra Mining Corporation, but the Letters of Intent were revoked after the statutory period for executing Composite Licences expired without fulfilment of required conditions. In addition to the Ramagiri gold blocks, the state government plans to auction other potential gold mines in Andhra Pradesh, including the Chigurgunta-Bisanatham block in Chittoor district, and the Boksampalli and Javakula blocks in Ananthapuramu district.
Earlier this week, Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Nara Chandrababu Naidu launched commercial exploitation of gold at Jonnagiri in Tuggali mandal of Kurnool district, signalling the state's renewed focus on mining.
