Odisha: Mining Operation at OMC Fast-tracked

Bhubaneswar, 23rd Feb: The mining operations of Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) was put to fast track with Chief Secretary Sri Aditya Parsad Padhi taking a review of the progress of its mines in a high level meeting held in the secretariat conference hall today wherein MD OMC Sri Girish S.N. presented the updates and outlined the issues for discussion.

Reviewing the development of different mines allotted to OMC Chief Secretary advised to focus on the mines with large reserves. Sri Padhi also directed OMC to take appropriate technical expertise and adequate safety measures for underground mining activities.

Replying to a media quarry after the meeting, MD Sri Girish said that OMC was allotted a total of 35 mines out of which 4 gemstone mines were found financially unviable. It was decided in the meeting to surrender these mines to the Ministry. Five projects namely Daitari iron ore mine, Gandhamardan Block-B, Kurmitar Iron Ore mine, South Kaliapani Chromite Mines and Sukrangi Chromite Mines have already been put to production. The mines like Khandabandh, Bansapani, Koira, Kasira, Bhanjapali, Dubnasekradihi, Rantha and Mahaparbat have been erx to G2 level.

Sri Gisrish further added that in the current year the total mineral production has been 5.6 MT by mid-February. Target has been set to produce 6.5 Mt by end of March, 2016. Steps are being taken to enhance the production of OMC to 10 MT in coming financial year.

Principal Secretary Steel & Mines, Sri Raj Kumar Sharma, Principal Secretary Forest & Environment Sri Suresh Chandra Mohapatra along with senior officers of respective departments participated in the review.