Bhubaneswar: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has made a significant breakthrough in Odisha, discovering gold, nickel, silver, graphite, and copper ore deposits in the Adas area of Deogarh district. This was revealed by Steel & Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena in the Odisha Assembly on Thursday.
In response to a query from BJD MLA Aswini Kumar Patra, Minister Jena stated that nickel and graphite have been classified as critical minerals, and their auctioning process will be overseen by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. He further noted that the G-3 level exploration in the Gopur area of Keonjhar district has already been completed, while G-2 level exploration is currently in progress for the 2024-25 period.
The Minister emphasized that the next steps regarding these mineral deposits will be determined based on the recommendations of the technical committee once the exploration agencies submit their final report.
