OMECL Signs Agreement For Exploration Of Mineral Resources in Odisha

Bhubaneswar: The Odisha Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd (OMECL) on Thursday signed an agreement with Consortium of MSA, South Africa and IDEPX (India) for exploration of mineral deposits in Odisha.

The agreement was signed by SK Sinha, Director (Geology), OMECL, Dr Ian Haddon MD, MSA and S Karunakar Rao, MD of IDPeX.

The exploration work will use legacy data from various exploration agencies of the state. It will be followed by airborne and heliborne surveys to reveal potential mineral blocks of different minerals. The exploration programme will be conducted using latest technology as per international standards.

Speaking at the agreement signing programme, DK Singh, principal secretary, Steel & Mines and chairman, OMECL said, “Odisha is a mineral rich state. However, large parts of the state still remain unexplored. This exploration programme will lead to discovery of hidden mineral deposits using the latest technology, which will help the state utilise the mineral resources for its development.”

Balwant Singh, MD, OMECL, said with this project, the state will get structured and comprehensive mineral resource map in coming days. He requested Geological Survey of India, Directorate of Geology and related agencies to extend necessary cooperation for timely achievement of the initiative.

BB Pani, Director (Finance), OMECL; Debidutta Biswal, Director, Mines, Odisha; officials from Steel and Mines Department and Strategic Technical Consultant (STC) team were present. From the STC team, Dr Ashley Johnson, Craig Blane and Dhruba Jyoti Nath attended.

OMECL, a wholly owned PSU of Odisha government, was incorporated in 2016 with prime objective of mineral exploration in the state. Consortium of MSA, South Africa & IDEPX (India) is a joint venture of IGS (UK), Datacode, India & PGW, Canada.