Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu on Wednesday inaugurated the Jonnagiri Gold Mining Project in Kurnool district, describing it as the beginning of a “golden era” for the state and saying the extraction of gold would restore the historic glory of Rayalaseema.
During the event, he also laid the foundation stone for the project’s second expansion phase, flagged off heavy vehicles transporting gold-bearing ore for processing, and reviewed a training centre for women and youth learning to operate heavy mining equipment.
The project, developed by Geo Mysore Services and Deccan Gold Mines with an investment of ₹405 crore, is expected to produce 400 kg of gold annually in its first phase, with output set to rise to 900 kg in the next phase and eventually reach 2 tonnes a year.
దేశంలోనే ప్రైవేట్ రంగంలో అతిపెద్ద గోల్డ్ మైనింగ్ ప్రాజెక్టును జొన్నగిరిలో నేడు ప్రారంభించడం సంతోషకరం. చారిత్రక నేపథ్యం ఉన్న జొన్నగిరి ఇక ఏపీ మైనింగ్ చరిత్రలో ఓ సువర్ణ అధ్యాయం. ఏపీ అంటే అన్నపూర్ణ మాత్రమే కాదు..రత్నగర్భ కూడా అనడానికి ప్రత్యక్ష ఉదాహరణ ఈ ప్రాంతం లోని ఖనిజ నిల్వలు.… pic.twitter.com/ZR46CHOytF
— N Chandrababu Naidu (@ncbn) June 24, 2026
CM Chandrababu personally inspected the mining and gold extraction processes and enquired about the final products, including gold bars, and was briefed by Geo Mysore Chairman Prabhakaran and Managing Director Naveen Lal Chandra on the entire process from mining to final production.
Later addressing a public meeting, the Chief Minister said today marks the beginning of a golden chapter in the history of Andhra Pradesh and this golden chapter begins in Ratnala Seema—Rayalaseema. The glory of Jonnagiri is not new. This region was once known as Swarnagiri and was renowned during Emperor Ashoka’s period. The Ashokan inscriptions found near Erragudi stand testimony to this region’s rich heritage. Rayalaseema has always been the land of precious stones and minerals. During the reign of Sri Krishnadevaraya, gems and precious stones were traded here in abundance. He said Gold mining will now restore its past glory and let us rename Jonnagiri as Swarnagiri.
He further said that India currently imports around 800 tonnes of gold annually, making it the country’s second-largest import after crude oil. Starting with 400 kilograms, we aim to eventually reach 50 metric tonnes of annual gold production, thereby reducing imports and conserving foreign exchange reserves. Instead of transporting gold elsewhere for making jewellery, we will establish a Jewellery Park right here in Swarnagiri.
On the occasion, Geo Mysore Services and Deccan Gold Mines presented the Government of Andhra Pradesh with a map of Andhra Pradesh made from gold produced at Jonnagiri.
The Chief Minister announced that the memento would be displayed in the proposed museum at Amaravati.
The first batch of gold produced at Jonnagiri Gold Fields was handed over by the Chief Minister to jewellery companies from Andhra Pradesh. The company management announced that the gold produced in Andhra Pradesh would be sold exclusively to jewellers within the state, ensuring benefits to the local economy.
Ministers Kollu Ravindra, Nimmala Ramanaidu, T.G. Bharat and officials participated in the programme.
