History of Technology in India, Vol. I: From Antiquity to c. 1200 A.D. v1.c12.s1.t4.33

v1.c12.s1.t4.33

Judged by the standards then prevailing gold mining in ancient India was a highly developed industry. As regards the technique of mining, the method as common with hard rock mining for other metals was fire-setting and quenching with water to create a system of cracks in the rock enabling the extraction of ore with some scraper like tool. The excavations were supported by timber and pillars of ore were left to support the ground right from the top and the method of mining resulted in a series of open cuts as the top (Bose, 1968).