The Geological Survey of India, as part of its activities in the current financial year, is exploring the possibility of diamond deposits in Mahbubnagar and Khammam districts of Telangana.

Specifically, the GSI is exploring in Kolhapur region, Maddur-Narayanpet of Mahbubnagar district and in the Munneru-Paleru river basin area of Khammam district that extends into Krishna district of Andhra Pradesh. The exploration project, which began in 2014, is expected to end in 2016.

Though the project was approved by the central government in 2015, GSI has listed its activity as part of its 2015-16 field season, according to Union minister of state for steel and mines Vishnu Deo Sai.

Geological Survey of India

Previously too, the global diamond major De Beers had explored the Amrabad plateau in Mahbubnagar district but after initial exploration in 2009-2010, nothing more was heard of the issue. Another private company too in its survey found several kimberlite pipes (geological formations typically associated with presence of diamonds) in Mahbubnagar district in 2013.

As of now, Panna in Madhya Pradesh is the only active diamond mine in the country which is run by the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC). The minister told Lok Sabha on Monday that GSI was currently exploring kimberlite clan rocks (KCR), in which diamonds are usually found, in these regions.