Bhubaneswar, March 19: The Odisha Government has decided to put 11 virgin mineral blocks in five districts on auction during the current Financial Year 2025-26, State Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena said in Assembly on Thursday.
According to the Minister, the mineral blocks proposed to be auctioned are located in Bargarh, Kalahandi, Keonjhar, Rayagada and Sundargarh.
The mines are– Behera Banjipalli Limestone Block (Bargarh), Karlapat Bauxite Block (Kalahandi), Kendudihi-Parulipada Manganese Block & Gadadharpur Iron Ore Block in Keonjhar district, Nunapaimali Bauxite Block, Tikrimali-Budharajamali, Tikriguda-Maliguda & Nangalmarhimali in Rayagada district, Patamunda Manganese & Iron Ore Block – B, Jaldihi Tatigram Iron Ore Block, Barpada South Iron Ore & Manganese Block in Sundargarh district.
Of the total 11 mineral blocks, four are at G-2 level of exploration while four others at G-3 level and G-4 level exploration done at the remaining three mines, he said.
During the current financial year, the State Mines Department has already issued notices inviting tenders for auction of 12 virgin blocks. The blocks are- Teleipadar Pipalmunda Lukapada Block, Rengalberha N-E extension & Nuagaon West Iron ore Block, Thakurani A1- Iron Ore Block, Jajang-A Iron & Manganese Block, Tarhapani (West) Bauxite Block, Karnapodikonda Bauxite Block, Kutinga Manganese Block, Garramura Limestone Block, Alaghati West Iron ore Block, Kedesala West Iron Ore Block, Patamunda – A Manganese Block and Tunmurra Limestone & Dolomite Block.
Eight mineral blocks have been successfully auctioned by the State Government as per the NIT published on 07.03.2025. In addition, four Critical mineral blocks (Graphite, Manganese and associated mineral blocks) have been successfully auctioned by the Ministry of Mines during the current FY.
The Government has taken concrete steps to curb illegal mining and transportation of minerals in the state by the enactment of new OMPTS Rules, 2025. The said rule has repealed the OMPTS Rules, 2007 and has brought automation in grade, size and quality estimation and Geo-fenced based transportation without human intervention. Entire mineral transaction has been made mandatory on digital platforms i.e. i3MS, Jena said.
The Mines Minister informed that direct bulk sampling and analysis through cross belt analyzer, far spot grade determination, AI camera for determination of size of ore, automated weighbridge for determination of quantity, automated accessed control and boom barrier based single entry and exit point of mines to restrict un-authorized despatch etc. has been newly introduced ensuring zero human interference and all transactions are being envisaged on the digital platform.
The State Government has formed State Level Enforcement Squad (SLES) at the State Level, District Level Task Force (DLTF) at District Level and Internal Mining Squad at Circle Level to prevent any illegal mining activities, he informed.
The Government has also implemented i3MS System for dispatch of minerals to prevent any illegal transportation of minerals in the State, he further said.
Besides, frequent and regular en-route checking are being conducted by the DLTF and SLES to improve transparency of mineral movement, he added.
