Mining giant Rio Tinto of Australia, South African diamond power De Beers and some 16 other mining companies have applied to the Karnataka government for gold and diamond exploration licenses for the northern part of the state, DNAIndia reported.

According to the report, all 18 companies have already performed initial surveys which have possible deposits in the area.

According to a Karnataka government official, all of the applications have been forwarded to the appropriate state authorities for further review.

Nevertheless, the same government official told the website that the companies, who are eyeing the area’s Kolar Gold Fields, may encounter hurdles in acquiring mining licenses in the region, as some parts of it are forested, and any deforestation – necessary for mining – would entail a special license from the environment ministry.