The Odisha Mining Corporation ltd (OMC) would produce 20 million tonnes of minerals annually by 2019, a target set by the State Government on Saturday.
The target was set at a performance review meeting of the Steel and Mines Department held under chairmanship of Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik at the State Secretariat. The OMC was asked to produce 10 mt of minerals in the current fiscal.
The department has been asked to prepare a roadmap in this regard. The OMC is supposed to reach the target by excavating iron ore and chrome.
In view of scarce supply in construction materials, the Chief Minister directed to simplify the guidelines for excavation of minor minerals in the State. Requisite changes would be effected in the Odisha Minor Minerals Concession (Amendment) rules for this purpose.
Similarly, the Chief Minister directed to create District Mineral Funds in a month’s time and expedite developmental works in mining areas. He directed the department to be in touch with industrial units regularly and take steps to sort out problems regarding mineral supply.
As per the target, a total of 75 million tonnes of iron ore would be produced in the current year and the State would earn royalty of `6,600 crore from various minerals.
Other issues which were discussed include formation of a new ‘Steel Directorate’, measures for fruitful solution of environmental problems, formation of a new Gemstone Policy, integration of mineral transportation and strengthening of enforcement squad of the Mines Directorate.
Among others, Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Kumar Mallick, Chief Secretary
GC Pati, Development Commissioner UN Behera and the OMC Managing Director were present.