Koraput: The mining department on Friday dismissed speculations in the media and elsewhere about the presence of gold mines at Kotiya panchayat in Pottangi block.

"It is only a rumour. Leave alone gold, there are no mines in and around the Kotiya panchayat," said J.S. Banra, deputy director of mines, Koraput.

Banra said around 18 months ago, a joint survey comprising officials from mining, geology and revenue department was conducted at Kotiya and during the survey, no mine was found in and around Kotiya panchayat.

"According to our report, there are no mines, including bauxite ones, in the Kotiya group of villages. However, no fresh survey from our side has been done," he said.

The influx of Andhra Pradesh officials, including the district collector of Vizianagaram, to Tolo Ganjeipadar village of Kotiya panchayat on Tuesday had raised speculations that the neighbouring state was trying to woo the Kotiya villagers to its side to explore gold mines reportedly located in the area.

During their visit, officials of the Andhra Pradesh government had distributed blankets and old-age pensions among the beneficiaries at Kotiya apart from putting up posters highlighting the various social security programmes of the Andhra government.

Both Odisha and Andhra government are entangled in a legal battle since 1968 over the ownership of 21 out of the 28 villages under Kotiya panchayat.

On March 30, 2006, the Supreme Court had ordered the maintenance of status quo at the disputed villages.