After having successfully carried out a series of field trails the UCIL has now come to the final stage and the uranium processing unit will be established at the nearby Diggi village.
Based on positive results of exploration activities performed near Gogi, UCIL has prepared a feasibility report and has sent a proposal to the Centre seeking clearnace for putting up a 500-TPD (tonnes per day) mine and a uranium processing unit, UCIL Executive Director N M Bahl has stated in a communication to Ramannagouda Kollur, a resident of Gogi.
The actual mining and processing of uranium is likely to start in about two years after completing all the formalities. Uranium deposits sufficient for mining for a period of 15 years are available in Gogi. In future, UCIL plans to utilise the uranium deposits in the Bhima belt from Sedam in Gulbarga to Muddebihal in Bijapur.
Unit to cost 550 crore
The Gogi unit, estimated to cost Rs 550 crore, is expected to make the country self-sufficient in uranium. The clearances from the State and the Central governments are expected to be obtained in October this year. Gogi uranium unit is the third in the country, after Jadugudd in Jharkhand and Pulivendula in Andhra Pradesh.
Rich uranium deposits have been found in the Gogi belt covering the villages of Gogi, Ukkinal, Darshanapur in Shahapur taluk, and Thinthini and other places in Surapur taluk. Uranium processed here will be used for defence and power generation purpose.
The UCIL has sent a proposal for acquiring 200 acres of land of Saidapur and Umaradoddi villages and 4 (1) notification has already been issued. The site surrounded by hillocks on three sides is stated to be ideal for processing. In Gogi village trial mining has been done in an area of 4.27 acres.