Bangalore: Union Minister of State for Surface Transport K H Muniyappa today (May 25, 2004) said the Government was making efforts to revive the closed Bharat Gold Mines in KGF as early as possible.

The Government was in dialogue with three companies including an Australian firm, which has conducted a survey after obtaining prospecting license, he told reporters in Bangalore. The two century old mine, which remained closed could be economically operated, he said.

He said studies conducted by these companies have confirmed that at least three grams to 3.5 grams of gold could be extracted from every tonne of filings.

Muniyappa said the KGF gold mine could be operated economically for another century, as it has vast deposits of the yellow metal.

He said out of the 3,500 work force that remained on rolls now, only 1,500 would be absorbed and the remaining offered attractive VRS (voluntary retirement service) package.

He said he would ensure higher allocation for commencing work on 247 km National Highway project submitted by the State on the 220 km Humnabad-Bijapur and 27 km stretch between Gundlupet and Ooty by providing sufficient allocation in the coming Budget.

On the Supreme Court decision to ban plying of vehicles, which are more than 20 years old, he said, he would hold talks with transport operators.