Odisha Channel Bureau
Bhubaneswar: The Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Odisha Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (OMECL) at Bhubaneswar for augmenting the exploration of Odisha’s rich mineral resources.
The MoU was signed on behalf of MECL by Ranjit Rath, CMD, MECL and Vineel Krishna, Managing Director OMECL on Thursday in the presence of Union Minister of Coal and Mines, Pralhad Joshi and State Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick, according to an official release.
Odisha is endowed with large resources of bauxite, china clay, chromite, coal, dolomite, fireclay, graphite, gemstones, iron ore, limestone, manganese ore, mineral sand, nickel ore, pyrophylite and quartz.
Odisha is the leading producer of chromite, graphite, bauxite, manganese ore, iron ore, sillimanite, quartzite, pyroxenite and dolomite. The State hosts the country’s sole resources of ruby and platinum group of metals.
It accounts for the country’s 95% chromite, 92% nickel ore, 69% cobalt ore, 55% bauxite, 51% titaniferous magnetite, 40% limestone, 36% pyrophyllite, 33% iron ore (hematite), 26% sillimanite, 25% each fireclay & garnet, 24% each coal & zircon and 20% vanadium ore resources.
With an impeccable credential of over 48 years, as a notified exploration agency, MECL is mandated to undertake detailed exploration of mineral acreages and currently operates pan India with a portfolio of all the major and precious minerals offering integrated mineral exploration services including preparation of Geological Reports and consultancies to Central Govts, State Govts and CPSEs etc.
Government of Odisha has established OMECL to strengthen institutional set up for mineral exploration in the State, and to upscale the mineral exploration activities so that the potential of mining sector is achieved through scientific exploration of mineral resources.
Ranjit Rath said that by joining hand with OMECL the exploration activities of the state will be augmented and additional mineral resources in the state will be established, which will lead to identification of more blocks for auctioning in the Greenfield as well as Brownfield area.
