The excavation work on the Chennampalli fort premises in Tuggali mandal of the district has led to the discovery of the presence of vast mineral deposits such as quartz and red chip granite, according to Adoni RDO Ch. Obulesu.
Officials of the Mines and Geology and Revenue departments have been supervising the excavation work since one month.
“The Geological Survey of India has deployed sophisticated gadgets to map the fort area and explore it for valuable minerals,” Mr. Obulesu said.
Elephant tusks, bones of horses and donkeys, and red-coloured bricks had been discovered in the excavation earlier.
The government took up excavation following representations by a few local persons that the fort that dated back to the Sri Krishnadevaraya era had treasure such as gold and diamonds.
A tunnel was detected underneath a hillock. Water was drained out of a well at the rear end of the fort.