Mineral Resources of Odisha

Odisha is a state rich in minerals, located in Peninsular India. This region is known as the “Mineral Heart of India” because of its abundant mineral resources. Odisha has many types of minerals, including metallic and non-metallic, ferrous, and non-ferrous. The state has made significant progress in mining and using these resources.

Importance of Odisha in India’s Mineral Production

Odisha holds a key position in India’s mineral production. According to the Economic Survey of 2017-18, Odisha ranked first in India in terms of the total value of minerals produced. During the year 2016-17, Odisha produced 285.26 million tonnes of minerals.

Minerals Found in Odisha

Odisha is blessed with a variety of minerals, thanks to its unique geological structure. Here’s a summary of the minerals found in the state based on geological formations:

Geological FormationMinerals
Archean SedimentaryIron ore, building stone, manganese ore, quartzite, slate, ochre
Granite GneissChina clay, building stone, road metal
Pegmatite (Igneous rocks)Mica, feldspar, quartz
Other Veins in ArcheansGraphite, lead, quartz
Cuddapah SystemLimestones, clay, shale, sandstone
Laterite SoilBuilding stone, bauxite, iron ore, manganese ore, ochre
Alluvium SoilKankar, brick and potter’s clay, sand, gold, iron ore, manganese ore

Classification of Minerals in Odisha

Minerals in Odisha can be categorized into two main groups:

  1. Metallic Minerals:
  • Ferrous Minerals: These include Iron ore, Manganese ore, Chromite, Nickel, and Magnetite.
  • Non-Ferrous Minerals: These include Gold, Platinum, and Tin ore.
  1. Non-Metallic Minerals:
  • Odisha is also rich in non-metallic minerals such as Bauxite, Coal, China clay, Fire clay, Graphite, Limestone, Dolomite, Kyanite, Sillimanite, Pyrophyllite, and Mineral sands.

Diagram: Classification of Odisha’s Minerals

+---------------------------+
|       Odisha’s Minerals    |
+---------------------------+
|   Metallic Minerals        |
|   - Ferrous: Iron ore,     |
|     Manganese, Chromite,   |
|     Nickel, Magnetite      |
|   - Non-Ferrous: Gold,     |
|     Platinum, Tin ore      |
+---------------------------+
|   Non-Metallic Minerals    |
|   - Bauxite, Coal, China   |
|     clay, Limestone, etc.  |
+---------------------------+

Metals in Odisha

Odisha is a state with rich deposits of metallic minerals. Below is a simplified explanation of some important metals found in Odisha, suitable for 9th and 10th standard students.

Iron Ore

  • Discovery: Iron ore in Odisha was first discovered by P.N. Bose in 1904 in the Mayurbhanj district.
  • Significance: Odisha has 35% of India’s iron ore reserves, making it one of the leading states in iron ore production. According to the Economic Survey 2017-18, Odisha has 25.3% of the country’s hematitic ore.
  • Location: The Odisha-Jharkhand iron-ore belt runs along the northern border of Odisha. It stretches from the Gorumahisani mines in Mayurbhanj district to Keonjhar and Sundargarh districts in Odisha, and also extends into the Singhbhum district of Jharkhand.

Iron Ore Deposits in Odisha:

ZoneDistrict
Bonai-Keonjhar BeltSundargarh, Keonjhar
GandhamardanBargarh
Tomka-DaitariJajpur
Gorumahisani-BadampaharMayurbhanj
HirapurNabarangpur

Manganese Ore

  • Significance: Odisha holds 45% of India’s manganese ore reserves. Manganese is a key ingredient in steel production.
  • Location: Major reserves are found in Koraput, Kalahandi, Balangir, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh districts. The Bonai area in Keonjhar district contains about 90% of Odisha’s manganese ore reserves.

Manganese Ore Deposits in Odisha:

RegionDistrict
BonaiKeonjhar
South Odisha (Koraput-Kalahandi-Balangir)Koraput, Kalahandi, Balangir
Gangapur AreaSundargarh

Chromite

  • Significance: Chromite is essential for industries like aerospace, steel, and special alloys. Odisha has 96% of India’s chromite reserves, which is mostly exported to countries like the USA and Japan.
  • Location: The main areas with chromite deposits are Sukinda in Jajpur district, Boula-Nuasahi in Keonjhar district, and Katpal in Dhenkanal district.

Chromite Deposits in Odisha:

AreaDistrict
SukindaJajpur
Boula-NuasahiKeonjhar
KatpalDhenkanal

Nickel Ore

  • Significance: Nickel is a corrosion-resistant metal used in making alloys, super alloys, and non-ferrous alloys. Odisha has 92% of India’s nickel ore reserves.
  • Location: Major nickel deposits are found in Sukinda Valley, Kansa Sector, and Simlipal Ultramafic, located in Jajpur and Mayurbhanj districts.

Magnetite

  • Significance: Magnetite found in Odisha is of vanadiferrous and titaniferrous types, useful in various industries.
  • Location: Magnetite deposits are spread across five belts in Odisha, including Bisoi-Rairangpur, Bisoi-Joshipur, Baripada-Podadiha, Rangamatia, and Nuasahi-Boula.

Magnetite Deposits in Odisha:

BeltNotable Areas
Bisoi-RairangpurKumardubi, Betgharen, Garjari, etc.
Bisoi-JoshipurMayurbeka, Keshem, Bariadihi, etc.
Baripada-PodadihaBahalada, Andipur, Chitrabania
RangamatiaRangamatia, Godasahi
Nuasahi-BoulaNuasahi, Boula

Base Metals

  • Significance: Base metals like copper and lead are found in Odisha. These metals are important for various industries, including electrical and construction.
  • Location: The key regions where base metals are found include Sargipali belt (Sundargarh), Kesarpur area (Mayurbhanj), and Adarsh area (Sambalpur).

Gold and Platinum

  • Gold: Gold deposits are found in the Mahanadi river valley and the riverbed of Subarnarekha.
  • Platinum: Odisha has platinum deposits in the Bhubana-Barapada region of Dhenkanal and Keonjhar districts. The metal content here is among the highest in the world.

Platinum Deposits in Odisha:

AreaDistrict
Bhubana-BarapadaDhenkanal, Keonjhar
Barapada, Damphidi, etc.Various

Tin Ore

  • Significance: Tin ore, specifically cassiterite, is used as an alloy or coated on other metals. Odisha has significant reserves of tin ore.
  • Location: Malkangiri district is the main source of tin ore in Odisha, with smaller quantities found in Boudh district.

Diagram: Key Metal Deposits in Odisha

+---------------------+
|   Metals in Odisha   |
+---------------------+
| Iron Ore             |
| - Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar|
| Manganese            |
| - Keonjhar, Koraput  |
| Chromite             |
| - Jajpur, Keonjhar   |
| Nickel               |
| - Jajpur, Mayurbhanj |
| Magnetite            |
| - Bisoi, Baripada    |
| Base Metals          |
| - Sundargarh, Mayurbhanj |
| Gold & Platinum      |
| - Mahanadi River Valley |
| Tin Ore              |
| - Malkangiri, Boudh  |
+---------------------+

Non-Metals in Odisha

Odisha is rich in non-metallic minerals, which play a significant role in its economy. Here are some of the key non-metallic minerals found in Odisha:

Bauxite Ore

Bauxite is the primary ore of aluminium, and Odisha is a significant producer of it. The mining of bauxite began in the Panchpatmali hills in 1987. According to the Economic Survey 2017-18, Odisha holds 52.5% of India’s bauxite reserves. The bauxite deposits are mainly associated with the Eastern Ghats Super Group of Rocks, forming a major part of the East Coast Bauxite deposits. Key bauxite-producing districts in Odisha include Bolangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Keonjhar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, and Sundargarh.

Bauxite deposits in Odisha can be grouped into three main categories:

  • East Coast Bauxite Group: Includes areas like Khodalite at Ballada, Maliparbat, Potangi, Panehapatmali, Bhaphlimali, Lanjigarh, Kandhamal hills, and Gandhamardan region.
  • Simlipal Group: Covers Mayurbhanj district and the Simlipal region.
  • Noamundi and Purana Group: Includes Kusumdih in Sundargarh district and Dholkatapahar in Keonjhar district.

Coal

Coal deposits in Odisha are found in the Brahmani and Mahanadi valleys (Ib valley). The state exclusively has Gondwana coal deposits. According to the Economic Survey 2017-18, Odisha accounts for 24.57% of India’s coal reserves. The Talcher coalfield, located in the Brahmani valley, spans parts of Angul, Sambalpur, and Dhenkanal districts, covering over 1,813 square kilometers. The Mahanadi valley (Ib valley) coalfields are located in Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts, with Rampur-Hingir being one of the prominent coalfields.

China Clay

China clay, primarily composed of Kaolinite, is found in a long belt stretching from Southern Singhbhum to the Mayurbhanj Granite belt. It is also present in Keonjhar, Sambalpur, Koraput, Sundargarh, and Dhenkanal districts. Significant deposits in Mayurbhanj district include Joshipur, Dumuria, Jamba, and Kadodiha. The Badampahar–Joshipur, Karanjia–Ramchandrapur belt is an important region for China clay production in Odisha.

Fire Clay

Fire clay, a refractory and plastic clay, is associated with Gondwana rocks. Odisha is a leading producer of fire clay in India, with some of the richest deposits found near Belpahar in the Sambalpur district. These deposits are found in the Gondwana fields of Sambalpur, Sundargarh, Dhenkanal, Cuttack, and Puri districts.

Graphite

Graphite is found in association with the Eastern Ghat rocks of pre-Cambrian age. The significant graphite belts in Odisha include the Sargipali belt in Bargarh, Balangir, and Kalahandi districts, the Titlagarh belt in Balangir and Kalahandi districts, the Tumudibandha belt in Phulbani district, and the Dandatopa belt in Dhenkanal and Angul districts.

Limestone and Dolomite

Limestone, a sedimentary rock composed of calcite, has a wide range of industrial uses. Odisha has vast limestone resources occurring in three distinct geological settings: Gangapur group, Vindhya, and Eastern Ghats. Dolomite is mainly confined to the Gangapur and Vindhya groups. Extensive deposits of limestone and dolomite are found in Sundargarh, Bargarh, Koraput, and Malkangiri districts. Odisha is one of India’s leading producers of limestone, with Biramitrapur in the Sambalpur district being a notable area for dolomite production.

Kyanite and Sillimanite

These are anhydrous aluminium silicate minerals. Kyanite is found in the Mayurbhanj district, while quartz-bearing Kyanite is found in Magarmuhan, Torodanali, Kamakhyanagar of Angul, and Dhenkanal districts. Ganjam district is the main producer of Sillimanite.

Heavy Minerals

Odisha’s coast, extending from Rushikulya to Gopalpur, is rich in heavy minerals like Ilmenite, Rutile, Monazite, and Zircon, which are found in beach sands.

Precious Minerals

Precious minerals in Odisha include gold, diamonds, and gemstones. Diamond deposits are found in the river island of Hirakud in Sambalpur district, while gemstones are mainly found in the granulite belts of the Eastern Ghats. Other precious minerals are located in the Debagarh-Pallahara-Mahagiri rock group of Debagarh or Deogarh district.

Pyrophyllite

Pyrophyllite, a hydrous aluminium silicate, occurs as quartz-pyrophyllite schist associated with granite and quartz reef. Major deposits are found in Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, and Sundargarh districts.

Mineral Reserves in Odisha (Percentage of India’s Total Reserves)

  • Chromite: 96%
  • Nickel: 92%
  • Bauxite: 52.65%
  • Manganese: 45%
  • Iron Ore: 35%
  • Coal: 24.57%

These non-metallic minerals contribute significantly to Odisha’s economy, making it a vital region for India’s mineral resources.

Important Facts about Minerals in Odisha

  • Odisha is the largest bauxite-producing state in India.
  • It has the second-largest coal reserves in India, following Raniganj.
  • Odisha is the largest producer of nickel in India.
  • It is the largest chromite-producing state in India.
  • Odisha is the largest producer of manganese in India.
  • It is the largest producer of sillimanite in India.
  • Iron ore and aluminium are the most important export minerals from Odisha, accounting for 86% of the state’s total exports.
  • Sundergarh district in Odisha is the largest producer of dolomite, contributing about 50% of India’s total production.
  • NALCO (National Aluminium Company) is the largest aluminium-producing plant in the country, located in Angul district.
  • Indian Rare Earths Ltd., near Chhatarpur, has been producing ilmenite since 1988.

These facts highlight Odisha’s significant role in India’s mineral production and its importance in the country’s mining industry.

Government Initiatives for Mineral Development in Odisha

Geological Surveys and Exploration

  • The Directorate of Geology in Odisha undertakes various mineral exploration programs to meet the needs of mineral-based industries and to increase the state’s mineral resources. It operates through six zonal offices located in Balangir, Berhampur, Dhenkanal, Keonjhar, Koraput, and Sambalpur.
  • During 2015-16, district-wise exploration of major minerals in Odisha showed the following:
  • Coal: 58.24% was extracted from Angul district, with the rest from Jharsuguda, Sundargarh, and Sambalpur districts.
  • Iron: Mostly extracted from Keonjhar district (67.44%), followed by Sundargarh district (28%).
  • Bauxite: Primarily extracted from Koraput district, followed by Rayagada.
  • Minerals: One-third of the state’s minerals are extracted from Angul district, while Keonjhar district accounts for around 60% of the state’s total mineral resources.

Government Initiatives

  1. Odisha Minerals Rules, 2007
  • To combat illegal mining and illegal transactions of minerals, the Odisha Minerals Rules, 2007 were implemented. These rules aim to prevent theft, smuggling, and illegal mining activities while regulating the possession, storage, trading, and transportation of minerals.
  1. Integrated Mines and Minerals Management System (i3MS) Project
  • The i3MS project, implemented by the Steel and Mines Department, is an IT-based system designed to create a transparent and effective management system for monitoring and supervising mineral transactions in Odisha. Initially introduced in November 2010 as a pilot project, it was fully implemented in 2013-14, including the Directorate of Mines and all 14 Circle Mining officers.
  1. District Mineral Foundation
  • The Odisha District Mineral Foundations Rules, 2015 were established and later amended on 15th January 2016. District Mineral Foundations were created on 15th January 2015 in all 30 districts, with the Collector as the Chairperson and other designated members. These foundations aim to benefit mining-affected areas.
  1. Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY)
  • Launched in September 2015, this initiative focuses on the welfare of tribals and other affected individuals in mining areas. Mining companies are required to contribute 10 to 30% of royalties for the welfare of people directly or indirectly affected by mining. The objectives include:
    • Implementing development and welfare projects/programs in mining-affected areas to complement existing State and Central Government schemes.
    • Minimizing the adverse impacts of mining on the environment, health, and socio-economic conditions of people in mining districts.
    • Ensuring long-term sustainable livelihoods for affected people in mining areas, improving their quality of life. The District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) implement this mission using funds generated from miners’ contributions.

Odisha Mining Corporation Limited (OMCL)

  • Established on 16th May 1956 as a joint venture between the Government of Odisha and the Government of India, OMCL was later fully owned by the Government of Odisha in November 1961. OMCL is the largest state public sector unit in the mining sector, mining major minerals such as chromite, iron, and manganese ore, which are essential for mineral-based industries like steel, sponge iron, pig iron, ferro-manganese, and ferro-chrome. OMCL is classified as a Gold Category State PSU.

FAQs

  1. Which group of rocks in Odisha contain the minerals Mica, Feldspar, and Quartz?
    Pegmatite
  2. Where is the iron ore-rich zone located in Odisha?
    Tomka-Daitari of Jajpur
  3. Where is Manganese ore found in Odisha?
    All of these (Koraput, Bonai, Gangapur)
  4. Which metallic mineral is found in Jajpur, Keonjhar, and Dhenkanal districts of Odisha?
    Chromite
  5. Which corrosion-resistant metal is found abundantly in Odisha?
    Nickel
  6. Which area is not a nickel-producing region in Odisha?
    Boudh district
  7. In which period are the magnetite ore deposits of Odisha found?
    Pre-Cambrian period
  8. Which mineral deposit is found in the riverbeds of Subarnarekha?
    Gold
  9. Cassiterite is the main source of which mineral found in Odisha?
    Tin
  10. With which group of rocks are the main Bauxite deposits of Odisha associated?
    Eastern Ghats Super Group of Rocks
  11. Which district is an important source of bauxite in Odisha?
    Sundergarh
  12. Which river valley does the Talcher coalfield basin mainly occupy?
    Brahmani river valley
  13. From Southern Singhbhum, to which granite belt does China clay occur?
    Mayurbhanj
  14. Which mineral is found in the richest deposit in Belpahar area of old Sambalpur district?
    Fire clay
  15. Which calcareous sedimentary rock is found in large quantities in Odisha?
    Limestone
  16. In which district are precious minerals and gemstones mostly found in Odisha?
    Deogarh
  17. Which mineral is Odisha the largest producer of?
    All of the above (Chromite, Manganese, Nickel)
  18. Which district in Odisha does not have a zonal office of the Geological Survey and Exploration Division?
    Cuttack
  19. In which year were the Odisha Mineral Rules for the prevention of theft and smuggling introduced?
    2007
  20. Which IT-based project was implemented in November 2010 for the integration of mines and minerals in Odisha?
    i3MS Project
  21. When did the District Mineral Foundation come into existence in Odisha?
    15th January, 2015
  22. Which is the country’s largest state public sector unit operated in Odisha?
    Odisha Mining Corporation Limited
  23. What is China clay, and where is it primarily produced in Odisha?
    China clay is a material comprising mostly mineral Kaolinite, primarily produced in the Badampahar-Joshipur, Karanjia-Ramchandrapur belt.
  24. Where are limestone and dolomite mainly produced in Odisha?
    Limestone is produced in Gangapur, Vindhya, and Eastern Ghats; Dolomite is mainly confined to Gangapur and Vindhya.
  25. What is the platinum metal content per tonne of ore in Odisha, and what are copper and lead ores collectively known as?
    Platinum metal content is 220-520 grams per tonne; Copper and lead ores are collectively known as base metals.
  26. Who discovered iron ore in Odisha, and in how many districts is it found?
    Iron ore was first discovered by PN Bose in 1904 and is found in five districts excluding Koraput.
  27. When was Odisha Mining Corporation Limited (OMCL) established and how is it classified?
    OMCL was established on 16th May 1956 as a joint venture of the Odisha and Indian governments and is classified as a “Silver” Category State PSU.
  28. What are the mineral deposits found in Sargipali belt, Gangapur and Vindhya, Magarmuhan, and Mayurbhanj?
    Sargipali belt – Graphite; Gangapur and Vindhya – Dolomite; Magarmuhan – Kyanite; Mayurbhanj – Pyrophyllite.
  29. Which area in Odisha is correctly matched with its mineral deposit?
    Adash area of Sambalpur – Copper ore

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