Karnataka high court orders revival of Kolar gold mines

A division bench of the Karnataka high court on Tuesday ordered the Union government to take all steps to revive the the once world famous Bharat Gold Mines Limited (BGML) in Kolar Gold Fields (KGF). No global tenders should be floated for the revival, the court ruled.

The division bench comprising justices DV Shylendra Kumar and N Ananda categorically stated that the KGF gold mines should not be handed over to any foreigner for revival. The court also said that the revival of the mines should not be entrusted to the workers’ co-operative of the BGML.

Directing the Union government to explore all possibilities to revive the now defunct mines, the division bench said that if needed, assistance and technical advice must be taken from mining experts.

The bench passed the order while hearing an appeal filed by the BGML challenging a single-judge bench order passed by justice BV Nagarathna on July 3, 2009, stipulating that only global miners should participate in the revival of the mines.

The single judge order had also made it clear that only companies involved in gold mining should be considered, while providing technical help to the workers’ co-operative could be examined.

The case arose after the BGML filed an application in the high court seeking permission to float a global tender to revive the mines. BGML wanted the tender to be opened to all mining companies and not merely gold mining firms.