Bhubaneswar: Odisha, a state rich in mineral resources, holds a leading position in India, with over 41.9% of the country’s total mineral reserves. For over 60 years, the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) has been responsibly exploring and extracting mineral resources from nature’s reserves. OMC has made significant contributions to enriching the state economically, said Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi while addressing the 70th Foundation Day of OMC as the chief guest.
Speaking at the event organized at OUAT’s Krushi Sikshya Sadan in Bhubaneswar, the Chief Minister highlighted that OMC began its journey in the 1960s with a turnover of just ₹1 crore and has achieved a turnover of ₹23,600 crore in the financial year 2024-25 through mineral production and sales. Today, OMC ranks among the top five mineral-producing companies in the country. It has established itself not only in Odisha but across India as an exemplary profit-making State PSU. OMC is a key driver of Odisha’s development and plays a crucial role in the nation’s economic growth.
He further noted that Odisha is an agriculture-dominated state, but relying solely on agriculture will not lead to progress. There are numerous opportunities to bring change in this regard. The government’s goal is to transform Odisha into a mixed economy. To achieve this, more focus must be placed on the manufacturing sector. The state has abundant raw materials needed for manufacturing. Previous governments failed to fully utilize Odisha’s industrialization potential, but the current government has adopted a different approach, emphasizing value addition to minerals before sale. The government is committed to rapid industrialization through this strategy, he said.
Through the e-auction platform of Odisha’s Steel and Mines Department and the Long-Term Linkage Policy, over 80% of raw materials are being supplied to industries established in the state, he added.
The Chief Minister emphasized that workers are the backbone of development. A strong workforce strengthens Odisha. He thanked the workers for their contributions to making Odisha prosperous and urged for greater deployment of manpower alongside machines in workplaces.
He also praised OMC’s CSR activities, noting that the corporation has successfully planted over 90 lakh trees for environmental protection. He advised planting more trees in the future, keeping industrialization in mind. OMC is also working on education, health, and sports development alongside environmental efforts. He suggested providing clean drinking water facilities in mining-affected areas and increasing CSR investments to enhance services in these sectors. Additionally, he stressed the establishment of an iron pellet plant in the mining region.
During the event, the Chief Minister inaugurated the restart of the Dubuna iron ore mine in Barbil, the Tiring Pahar mine, and the Rengalbeda RR Colony’s power supply. He also launched a 900 kWp solar plant at OMC’s mines in the Koira mining area. To enhance operational efficiency, four IT modules—Logistics Management System (LMS), OMC Finance Management System (OFMS), OMC Plot Land Utilization System (OPLUS), and OMC Recruitment Management System (ORMS)—were launched. The Chief Minister presented awards to OMC’s top-performing mines for 2023-24 and 2024-25 in three categories: Best Mining Area, Best Mine, and Safest Mine. A magazine on OMC’s CSR initiatives was unveiled by the guests.
Notably, the Dubuna mine has an annual iron ore production capacity of 3 million tons and a manganese production capacity of 0.05 million tons. The mine holds reserves of 25.77 million tons of iron ore and 2.6 million tons of manganese.
Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, who attended the event, highlighted OMC’s role in transforming Odisha’s industrial landscape, stating that 18 OMC mines are now operational. These mines not only produce minerals but also lay the foundation for a strong, self-reliant Odisha. Through advanced production and modern technology, OMC is strengthening Odisha’s economic growth. He urged officials and employees to make OMC more dynamic.
Development Commissioner Anu Garg stated that by properly utilizing natural resources, Odisha has transitioned from a weak economy to a middle-income economy. OMC has performed well for years, but continuous development requires adopting new technologies.
Additional Chief Secretary of the Steel and Mines Department and OMC Chairman Surendra Kumar delivered the welcome address, while OMC Managing Director Sudhanshu Mohan Samal proposed the vote of thanks. All departmental officers and employees under the corporation attended the event.
