Travellers: Karthick, Althaf, Nishanth, Edwin(me).
Target destination: Andhra Pradesh check dam,Kolar Gold Fields(K.G.F),Kotilingeshwara temple.
Duration: One day trip.
Mode of transport: Althaf's pulsar150, My apache rtr160.
Distance: 65*2.
RouteKrishnagiri- Veppanapalli - Kamasamudram - Marikuppam -Andersonpet-K.G.F- Kotilingeshwara
After our tight schedule weekdays we decided to take a break in the weekend, hence we are in search for a new destination in the first week of March. I have zeroed the destination as Kolar gold field(K.G.F). I started to collect the information regarding Kolar gold field(K.G.F) for planning and execution. While surfing on internet one of the website provided false information that Karnataka tourism department is organizing mines tour in K.G.F. I got confused on the info that the mines were closed in 2001 due to the lower amount of production of gold and increased operating cost. At the end of 2003, all the mines get closed completely
On surfing in social networks for the right person to collect the information. I came to know about a Facebook page: Kolar gold fields down memory lane. this is a page owned by an Anglo Indian "Bridget White". She is the author of the book titled “Kolar Gold Fields - Down Memory Lane: Paeans To Lost Glory” She wrote a lot of things about the nostalgia of K.G.F in her book. I have got the info from her that mines are closed permanently and we can visit the mining shaft from outside.I’m a kind of person who is interested and had a habit of grasping and collecting the information provided by Google, newspaper, and also from friends and family regarding travel, exploring new and unusual places that too less crowded.
One day I came to know that my classmate’s native is a village near Veppanapalli and also it lies on the border of Andhra Pradesh. He further states that there is a beautiful check dam surrounded by Forest and mountains and an abounded gold mine. This information strike in my mind during our trip to K.G.F and this place has been added to our trip
On further homework to fulfil the satisfaction of the trip I found there was a temple called “Shree Kotilingeshwara Swamy Temple” were huge Shiva linga of 108 ft tall and huge Nandi idol of 35 ft tall was surrounded by lakhs of small. This temple is just 7 km away from Kolar Gold Field. Also, I have added this place to our cards of the trip to K.G.F.
From the valuable inputs from the Anglo Indian Madam and digital platform, we fixed the date of our trip on 1st Saturday of March to explore K.G.F, Veppanapalli check dam and Kotilingeshwara Temple.
First, we started to Veppanapalli to venture the check dam and the mines near Veppanapalli.
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| the check dam near vepanapalli..... |
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| the panromic view of the dam |
Near the check dam BGML(Barth gold mines limited) has operated 3 mines which are only 500 feet. As we inquired about the mines from locals they told these 3 mines are closed later on 2003 it has large deposition of gold as compared to K.G.F now.
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| the path leading to mine The below picture is the mine shaft it has a winch provide with a coil winding. Depending upon the depth the winding length is increased; in a meantime, a total number of 8 people can only get into the mines. |
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| the mining shaft |
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| the rusted compressor fly wheel in the mines |
Lot of people doesn't know that there are 3 mines near Veppanapalli they are the extension of K.G.F. these mines lie in the Andhra Pradesh. After venturing the landscapes we moved further to K.G.F.
On the way to K.G.F, the roads are a little bit worse, they are on the alongside the forest. We reached Marikuppam this is the entrance to the town. on Marikuppam our guide and our friend's friend an ex-employee in BGML(a govt public sector to carry the mining operation in K.G.F) mines babu joined with us. First, we visited the crusher which is on the way to Andersonpet. The crusher is the place where the separation of gold from ores takes place with the addition of cyanide.
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| the level crossing in the back of crusher |
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| our guide babu(ex-employee of BGML mines) |
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| the conveyor After the crusher we went to champion reefs one of the oldest and deepest mine .the depth of the mine is about 17000 feet and It has been in operation for a century.  Nearby champion reefs we visited the national institute of rock mechanics which is operated by the ministry of mines  Our guides take us to the cyanide dumps. The cyanide is the major element used to extract gold and in the final process, the cyanide will be a waste product. These are dumped as landfills in K.G.F from the period of operation about a century. Now it is being a prominent shooting spot for film person, the famous Dhanush movie song manmatha rasa from thiruda thirudi song had been shoot in cyanide dumps.   During the mining process in the shaft which has some adequate depth from the ground level, some gasses will be gathered in the pockets of ores and minerals. when mining operation is carried out it will releases some toxic and as well as explosive gas resulting in an explosion or any human hazards. To eliminate this On the back of cyanide dump, there was an exhaust vent to ventilate the waste and toxic gases in the mines. The exhaust vent is similar to normal drinking well.     the cyanide dumps is visual treat of landscapes Riding in cyanide dumps is really an off-road experience, At last, we finished sight-seeing. From the cyanide dumps, we want to cross the BEML factory to reach the temple. The temple authorities charge 20 bucks per head for the entry. And further, we went and prayed to Lord Shiva. Finally, our trip is over we returned home.   I want to remember one thing the mines are going to reopen in 2015 thus the water in the mines got polluted and toxic due to lubricating oils and explosives in the deep mines an Australian company is going to start the operation. This was the final message got from our guide. TRAVELLING TIPS TO KGF: 1. From Krishnagiri Choose the Kuppam route as it is a highway. the Vepanpalli route is full of forest on either side of your way. we took only for an adventurous ride. 2. for sight-seeing better start from Marikuppam and end in cyanide dump, you can see more places 3. The Anglo Indian culture can be visually experienced in K.G.F. 4. In and around K.G.F you can visit a lot of temple in Bethamangal, Chika Thirupathi, Mallur. 5. a day trip is enough to cover places in K.G.F FEEL FREE TO COMMENT.......THANK YOU....... |
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