Department of Mines and Geology

Mineral Resource

Karnataka for its size is fairly well endowed with wide variety of minerals. It is the major producer of primary gold metal in the country. Its resources of a few other valuable metals like Iron, Manganese and Chromium are considerable. Non -ferrous metals such as aluminium, copper, lead and zinc, although not abundant, can still meet limited requirements of the state. There is a good sprinkling of industrial minerals like asbestos, bauxite, corundum, dolomite, limestone, lime, fire clay, kaolin, kyanite, magnesite, ochre ,pyrite, quartz, scheelite, soapstone and mineral sands.

The state is also well endowed with a variety of ornamental building stones. Granite quarrying, cutting and polishing has been practised from ancient times and in recent years industry has registered remarkable growth.