Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has identified the presence of several high-value minerals, including diamonds, gold and ruby, across multiple districts, Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena informed the Assembly on Thursday.
Replying to a question in the House, the minister said preliminary findings indicate diamond occurrences at Kalamidadar in Nuapada district. He added that detailed technical, economic and feasibility studies are currently underway to determine the prospects for commercial extraction.
The state has also reported indications of ruby deposits in the Hinjilibahal–Jilingibar region under Junagarh block of Kalahandi district, pointing to Odisha’s expanding gemstone potential.
Beyond gemstones, surveys have revealed the presence of multiple metallic and industrial minerals. In Deogarh district’s Adas-Rampalli area under Riamal block, exploration has identified copper-bearing ore along with graphite, nickel and traces of gold.
In Mayurbhanj district, preliminary estimates suggest the occurrence of gold deposits associated with copper ore in the Madansahi-Kanjia area of Kuliana block.
Similarly, gold mineralisation has been traced in the Gopur-Jaldihi region under Banspal block in Keonjhar district, the minister informed.
The findings highlight Odisha’s growing mineral resource base, with ongoing studies expected to determine the commercial viability and future mining potential of these deposits.
