Bhubaneswar: Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena on Thursday said that three gold mines discovered in Odisha contain an estimated 1,586 kilograms of gold, and the state government has initiated the process to auction these mine blocks.
The minister stated that the auction process is currently underway, and a review meeting has been scheduled for January 3 to ensure that the auction is conducted smoothly and in a time-bound manner.
He further informed that the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified gold deposits at multiple locations across the state. The Odisha government plans to auction all identified gold mine blocks by 2026.
According to the minister, the January 3 meeting will be crucial in finalising the annual auction calendar for 49 mineral blocks in Odisha. The meeting will review the suitability of proposed mine blocks, the status of exploration work, and the readiness of the blocks for auction.
The minister also indicated that proposed gold mine blocks in Mayurbhanj and Deogarh districts may come up for discussion during the meeting, as part of the state’s broader strategy to monetise its mineral resources.
The state government expects that the structured auction of mineral resources will help increase revenue, attract investment, and strengthen Odisha’s mining economy, the minister added.
