Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday lauded the state-owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) for setting up the country’s first pilot plant for the extraction of platinum group metals (PGMs) from minerals sourced from the Bangur chromite mine in Keonjhar district.
Stating that OMC’s contribution towards building a “Samruddh Odisha” (prosperous Odisha) remains significant, he said the corporation has successfully tested the pilot facility for extracting platinum group elements.
Speaking at OMC’s 71th foundation day celebrations in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister said the state-owned PSU is now ready to step beyond Odisha’s borders to become a national mining powerhouse.
“With this, OMC will play a crucial role in providing basic metals for manufacturing clean energy equipment, electronics and modern motor vehicles in Odisha,” he said.
Majhi paint
ed an inspiring picture of OMC’s meteoric journey — from a modest Rs 1 crore turnover in the 1960s to a staggering Rs 25,000 crore in 2025-26, coupled with a record 45 million tonnes of mineral production that has cemented its position among India’s top mining companies.
“OMC is no longer just a commercial entity — it is a pillar of Odisha’s economic development,” Majhi declared. “The time has come for OMC to expand its footprint across the country while continuing to drive industrialisation and value addition within the state.”
Majhi urged OMC to focus on downstream industries alongside mining and to employ more local youth so that mining communities see even greater improvements in their quality of life. He praised the corporation’s robust CSR initiatives that have transformed education, healthcare, drinking water, women’s empowerment, sports, and infrastructure in mining areas.
On the occasion, Majhi inaugurated four landmark projects: the permanent campus of the Odisha Mining Ideal School at Kaliapani; eight state-of-the-art Basic Life Support Ambulances for mining-area residents; a new Integrated Command & Control Centre; and the “O-Swasthya” digital health management platform. He also felicitated the best-performing mines and regions of OMC.