Odisha CM asks OMC to expand mining operations beyond state

Bhubaneswar, May 16 : Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday urged the state-owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) to expand its mining footprint beyond Odisha and strengthen its presence across other states while focusing on industrial growth and value-added development.

Addressing the 71st Foundation Day celebration of OMC, the Chief Minister called upon the corporation to diversify its activities by effectively utilizing its abundant raw material reserves not only for mining but also for industrialisation and downstream industries.

Highlighting OMC’s remarkable growth journey, Majhi said the corporation, which started in the 1960s with a modest turnover of Rs 1 crore, has achieved a financial turnover of Rs 25,000 crore during the 2025-26 financial year.

He said OMC has also created an all-time record in mineral production by extracting 45 million tonnes, establishing itself as one of India’s leading mining organisations.

With global demand for critical minerals such as iron ore, bauxite and chromite increasing rapidly, the Chief Minister said OMC has been playing a key role in meeting the demand while contributing significantly to Odisha’s industrialisation and economic progress.

“For more than seven decades, OMC has evolved beyond a commercial enterprise and emerged as a major pillar of Odisha’s economic growth,” Majhi said.

He praised the corporation for contributing a substantial share of its profits to the state government and for responsibly utilising Odisha’s mineral wealth for the prosperity of both the state and the nation.

The Chief Minister also highlighted OMC’s successful pilot plant trials for extraction of Platinum Group Elements (PGE) from the Bangur Chromite Mines in Keonjhar district. He said the initiative would position OMC as an important supplier of essential metals required for clean energy technologies, electronics and advanced automobile manufacturing.

Expressing confidence in OMC’s future role, Majhi said the corporation would make a significant contribution towards achieving the vision of a prosperous Odisha by 2036.

He further emphasised OMC’s commitment to environmental protection, safe mining practices and holistic development of mining regions through various CSR initiatives in education, healthcare, drinking water, women’s empowerment, sports and infrastructure development.

The Chief Minister advised OMC to create more employment opportunities for local residents in mining areas, ensuring that mechanisation is balanced with livelihood generation.

On the occasion, Majhi inaugurated the permanent campus of Odisha Mining Adarsh Vidyalaya at Kaliapani, flagged off eight advanced Basic Life Support ambulances for mining area residents, launched an Integrated Management and Monitoring Centre and introduced “O-Swasthya”, a digital health management system.

He also presented awards to the best-performing mines and operational regions.

Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary D.K. Singh lauded OMC’s contribution to Odisha’s industrial growth and stressed the need to further strengthen the developmental impact of OMC-operated mines.

OMC Chairman Girish S.N. and Managing Director Sudhanshu Mohan Samal also addressed the gathering.