The State Government has decided to go for mineral resource mapping (MRP) in order to locate all such resources for optimum utilisation.
The MRM would be done in a time bound manner as at least 50 per cent of the State’s land area has not been explored yet.Odisha, being amongst the richest mineral-bearing States in the country, makes it a favorable destination for mining and mineral based industries.
Mining sector accounted for 11.08%t of Odisha’s Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP) in 2019-20 as per the Odisha Economic Survey. The sector also provides significant employment both directly and indirectly and swells the State exchequer with the highest nontax revenue. Under this backdrop, MRM for the entire State is needed.
While MMDR Amendment Act, 2015 provides for allocation through auctions, there is urgent requirement for scientific mineral exploration and resource mapping in all the mineral bearing areas of the State.
Meanwhile, a high-level committee chaired by the Chief Secretary has been constituted for up-scaling mineral exploration activities.
The Odisha Mineral Exploration Policy aims at enhancing the existing resource base and exploring new minerals. Accordingly, a comprehensive approach will be undertaken to uncover all possible mineral resources in the State, an official said. The MRM is also needed to assess the State’s mineral capacity to serve the downstream industries. As per an assessment made of current production levels and reserves, both iron ore and chromite ore may exhaust in less than 30 years.
Out of total quantity of bauxite, 84% is in resource stage, which needs to be further explored to assess the quantum of reserve and such calculations are needed in case of other minerals too, pointed out an official.
So the MRM would be taken up for finding out mineralised zones and consequent exploitation of the minerals to realise the untapped potential of the reserve available in the State, said he.