AP CM Naidu Inaugurates Jonnagiri Gold Mine in Kurnool Dist., Calls for Renaming Area as ‘Swarnagiri’
Jonnagiri (Kurnool), June 24 (TNT): Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday inaugurated the Jonnagiri Gold Mining Project in Kurnool district and described it as the beginning of a “golden era” for Andhra Pradesh and a historic milestone in the revival of Rayalaseema’s economic fortunes.
The project, being developed by Geo Mysore Services and Deccan Gold Mines with an investment of ₹405 crore, is considered the country’s largest private-sector gold mining venture.
The Chief Minister also laid the foundation stone for the project’s second expansion phase and flagged off vehicles carrying gold-bearing ore for processing.
Addressing a public meeting on the occasion, Naidu proposed renaming Jonnagiri as “Swarnagiri”, saying the region was historically known for its association with gold and precious minerals.
“Today marks the beginning of a golden chapter in Andhra Pradesh’s history. This chapter begins in Rayalaseema, a land long known for its mineral wealth. Let us rename Jonnagiri as Swarnagiri and restore its past glory,” he said.
The Chief Minister said the project would initially produce 400 kilograms of gold annually, with production expected to increase to 900 kilograms in the next phase and eventually reach two tonnes per year.
Referring to India’s dependence on imported gold, Naidu said the country imports nearly 800 tonnes of gold annually and expressed hope that domestic production would help reduce imports and conserve foreign exchange.
He announced that Jonnagiri would be developed as a model village and said the government would encourage downstream industries, including a jewellery park, to ensure value addition within the state.
“This project should transform the lives of local people and generate substantial employment opportunities for the youth of the region,” he said.
Highlighting industrial development initiatives in Rayalaseema, the Chief Minister said investments were flowing into sectors such as aerospace, defence, electronics, automobiles, steel, cement and clean energy due to the credibility of the NDA government.
He cited the proposed Drone City in Kurnool, the Orvakal Industrial Node, the upcoming Rayalaseema Steel Plant in Kadapa and industrial projects in Tirupati and Anantapur as examples of the government’s efforts to transform the region.
Naidu also highlighted irrigation projects undertaken in Rayalaseema and said the government had spent ₹12,484 crore on irrigation infrastructure in the region over the past two years.
He further announced plans worth ₹40,000 crore under the Purvodaya initiative to develop Rayalaseema into a major horticulture hub.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inspected the mining and gold extraction facilities, interacted with women and youth undergoing training to operate heavy mining equipment and reviewed the entire gold production process.
On the occasion, Geo Mysore Services and Deccan Gold Mines presented the Chief Minister with a gold-crafted map of Andhra Pradesh made from gold produced at Jonnagiri. Naidu said the memento would be displayed in the proposed museum at Amaravati.
The first batch of gold produced at Jonnagiri was also handed over to jewellery companies from Andhra Pradesh. The company management announced that gold produced at the mine would be sold exclusively to jewellers within the state.
Ministers Kollu Ravindra, Nimmala Ramanaidu, T.G. Bharat and senior officials were present at the programme.
TNT TS
