Kyanite mines in Kalikot left unprotected

By Prem Raj Simkhada

Kalikot, Oct. 27: The valuable kyanite mines located in Ward-3 of Shubha Kalika Rural Municipality, Kalikot, are being illegally extracted on a daily basis due to a lack of protection and monitoring. 

Despite multiple government commitments and political promises over the years, no effective measures have been implemented to safeguard the mines, allowing smugglers to continue their operations unchecked.

The kyanite mine, situated in the former Bharta Village Development Committee area, was once included in several development plans. The then District Development Committee, along with successive local governments and political parties, had repeatedly pledged to conserve the mineral resources. 

Even during the local election, 2022, Protecting Bharta’s kyanite was used as a slogan for electoral campaign. However, instead of protection, smugglers familiar with the system have been extracting the mineral covertly. 

On Friday, a high-level team led by Chief District Officer (CDO) Gokarna Raj Suwal, accompanied by heads of security agencies, local leaders and officials, visited the kyanite mine for an onsite inspection. The visit has stirred widespread discussion among the locals.

Chhatra Roka Magar, a local, expressed frustration, questioning whether the administration would finally take meaningful action. “There have been decisions and promises for years, but nothing has changed. During Dashain, I heard from several youths that local elites, political leaders and even officials are colluding with contractors to profit from the illegal trade. The rich get richer and locals get nothing,” he said.

Roka Magar added that while inspections have been conducted before, they have yielded little to no result. He hopes the recent visit will lead to concrete steps, not just photographs and reports. 

“This kyanite mine could light many stoves in Bharta if managed properly. It could create local jobs. I only hope this inspection doesn’t remain just another formality,” he said.

According to the Kalikot District Administration Office’s information officer, Janak Raj Sharma, Friday’s field visit was primarily to gather suggestions from locals. 

“There isn’t a concrete protection plan yet. The local government has tried but failed to stop the illegal extraction. So, we are consulting with stakeholders to decide the next steps,” he explained.

He also confirmed that although two security personnel were previously deployed to guard the site, the posts are now vacant. “One contractor, who was granted permission in the past, still appears to be extracting kyanite. Discussions will soon be held among stakeholders to review the legality of such activities,” Sharma said.

Kyanite, a rare mineral found in only a few countries, is naturally abundant in Nepal’s Himalayan region. Apart from Nepal, significant deposits of kyanite are found in India’s Jharkhand and Karnataka states, as well as in the United States, Brazil, Switzerland, Russia, and Kenya.