The Mint Division of the Nepal Rastra Bank on Tuesday started melting the seized gold to determine its quality and actual weight.

The gold was measured on Monday after removing the brake shoes in which it was concealed. The yellow metal weighed 60.789 kg.

On July 18, the Department of Revenue Investigation (DRI) seized the smuggled gold at Sinamangal, Kathmandu right after it cleared customs at the Tribhuvan International Airport (TIA) undetected. The gold, packed in eight sealed cartons, was then sent to the Mint Division of the central bank for weighing. The gross weight of the consignment seized was determined to be 155kg.

Here are some photos of the melting process the Post’s photojournalist Angad Dhakal captured.