Bhubaneswar: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has discovered significant mineral deposits, including gold, nickel, silver, graphite, and copper ore, during G-2 level exploration in the Adas area of Deogarh district, Odisha.
This was informed by Steel & Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena in the Odisha Assembly on Thursday.
In a written response to a query by BJD MLA from Jaleswar, Aswini Kumar Patra, Minister Jena stated that since nickel and graphite are classified as critical minerals, the auctioning process for the identified block will be conducted by the Ministry of Mines, Government of India.
He further informed that exploration at the G-3 level has been completed in the Gopur area of Keonjhar district, while G-2 level exploration of the block is currently underway for the 2024-25 period.
The Minister added that the next course of action will be determined based on the recommendations of the technical committee after the final report is submitted by the exploration agencies.
