Challakere MLA and Hatti Gold Mines chairman T. Raghumurthy said that a meeting of officers concerned would be convened shortly to decide on the steps to restart Hutti Gold Mines.
Speaking to reporters here on Sunday, he said the gold mines was handed over to the State government from the British rule in 1956 and at present, gold reserves in the mines are 2,600 feet below the ground level. A total of 4,600 workers are dependent on the mines for their livelihood, he said.
For 20 years, the Ingaldal Copper Mines in Chitradurga has also stopped its functions owing to various reasons and the workers depending on it for their livelihood are in a pathetic condition. The issue would also be taken up shortly and the mines would be made operational in the coming days. The Ingaldal Copper Mines is 417 acres, he said.