Orissa finds another bauxite reserve, explores new mines

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Bhubaneswar, Jul 12 : The Orissa government has identified a new bauxite reserve in Kandhamal district, besides getting indication of presence of heavy minerals along the coast in Puri, official sources said. According to a preliminary estimation made by the directorate of geology, nearly 8 million tonne (mt) of bauxite was reserved at Ushabali plateau in Kandhmal district.

“Estimation regarding bauxite reserve in Kandhamal district is preliminary. The volume of reserve could be more”, an official said, adding survey work would be extended to nearby areas this year.

Orissa Mining Corp (OMC) recently reviewed the mineral survey activities taken up the directorate of geology to find new reserve, particularly iron ore, which was in demand as the state had signed MoU for setting up of at least 46 steel plants. The directorate had completed survey of Hirapur area in Nawarangpur district for iron ore deposits and had also undertaken fresh surveys in Joda, Badbil in Keonjhar and Daitari in Jajpur. Though the directorate had completed iron ore survey work by using drilling method at Tensa area of Sundergarh district, the findings were under study, sources said. Similarly, the survey had also concluded that small diamond reserve could be traced at Dharamabandha and Nangalbod area of Nuapada district where the precious metal was found.