The mining operations of the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) have been fast tracked with Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi reviewing its activities in a high level meeting here on Saturday. OMC Chairman Sanjeeb Chopra outlined the issues and Managing Director Vineel Krishna presented the updates for discussion.
Reviewing the progress, Chief Secretary Padhi directed to scale up the activities and ramp up the production of the OMC during the current financial year. A target was set to enhance production of iron ore and chrome to 8.64 Million Ton (MT) during 2016-17.
Replying to mediapersons, MD Krishna said, “We have put in place an action plan for enhancing production of the OMC. By end of July last, around 2.41 MT iron ore and chrome had been produced against the target of 8.64 MT.” Krishna expressed hope that the OMC would reach the target within the schedule time.
According to sources, the OMC has set a target to produce 3 MT iron ore from Daitari mines, 2.4 MT from Kurmitar mines and 2 MT from Gandhamardan-B mines during 2016-17. Similarly in chrome, 1.1 MT from South Kaliapani mines, 0.13 MT from Sukrungi mines and 15,000 MT from Bangur mines are tragetted to be produced during the same year. The issues relating to enhancing the production of Daitari mines from 3 MT per annum to 6 MT per annum, Kurmitar mines from 2.4 MT to 6 MT per annum and Unchabali mines from 0.07 MT to 1.0 MT per annum were discussed in the meeting. Review showed that applications for environmental clearance for enhancing annual production from these mines have been sent to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests. The Chief Secretary directed to follow up the issue with Centre and expedite the clearances.