India's largest and oldest gold mine, Kolar Gold Mines is located 98 Km east of the city and south of Kolar town. The gold mines here are the deepest mining pits in the world, reaching down to a depth of about 10,000 feet below the surface of the earth. Prior permission is required to visit the field. Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation, Bangalore may be contacted for permission. Visitors are permitted only on Monday, Wednesday and Saturday from October to February