Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s mining sector, Steel, Mines, and Works Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena announced on Thursday that substantial gold reserves have been discovered across several districts in the state. The announcement was made during a session in the Odisha Assembly, following a query from Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati.
Minister Jena disclosed that gold deposits have been identified in the Gopur-Gazipur area of Keonjhar district, with ongoing surveys also targeting the Mankadchuan, Salekana, and Dimirimunda regions. Additionally, significant gold reserves have been found in the Mayurbhanj district, including areas such as Jashipur, Suriaguda, Ruansi, Idelkucha, Maredihi, Sulaipat, and Badampahad. Preliminary surveys have also indicated the presence of gold in Sundergarh, Nabarangpur, Angul, Koraput, Malkangiri, Sambalpur, and Boudh districts.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has reported gold reserves at the G-2 level in the Rampalli area of Deogarh district. The government is currently in the process of auctioning these mineral blocks. Minister Jena noted that while the preliminary data is promising, the quality and quantity of the reserves are still under evaluation, and no official extraction or processing plans have been finalized yet.
A resurvey of the Gopur-Gazipur area, first identified in earlier surveys from 1981-83 and 1989-96, is now underway with the GSI and the Directorate of Mines and Geology. Further exploration efforts are focused on assessing gold reserves at the G-4 and G-3 levels in the Mankadchuan, Salekana, and Dimirimunda areas by the Odisha Mining Corporation.
Minister Jena emphasized that while initial surveys are promising, there are currently no plans to establish a processing unit for gold extraction. The government will continue its investigations to fully assess the potential of these reserves and determine future steps for development.