By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/NEW DELHI: Union Mines, Coal and Parliamentary Affairs Minister , Pralhad Joshi on Thursday flanked by BJP Rajya Sabha MP Ashwini Vaishnaw joined, Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to inaugurate 2 Mines of Odisha Mining Corporation, a State Mining PSU. These were Jilling-Langlotta and Guali iron ore blocks. Shyam Ore and JSPL had bagged these blocks in last auction but they surrendered it citing technical reasons. Previous lease holders were Aditya Birla’s Essel Mining and Industries Limited and RP Sao and Sons.
“Inagurated production in 2 iron ore mines of Odisha Mining Corporation, alongwith CM, Shri@Naveen_Odisha ji & MP Shri @AshwiniVaishnaw ji.These mines will generate approx. Rs 5000 crores of annual revenue for Odisha and vast employment opportunities for locals,” Union Minister Pralhad Joshi tweeted @JoshiPralhad.
Both the mines have production capacity of 15 lakh tonnes per month and they possess approx. 275 million tonnes of consolidated iron ore reserves. These blocks were recently reserved for the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), a state PSU, within a short time of 25 days, after a request was made by State Government to the Central Government, in order to ease the shortage of iron ore in the state of Odisha.
“These Mines will help in stabilising the supplies for small industries and will generate huge employment opportunities in the state. The two mines will generate approx. Rs. 4000-5000 crores of annual revenue forthe state of Odisha.” said Joshi. He also requested the Chief Minister of Odisha to bring more mines into auction and operationalization of all non-working mines, to increase the production and revenue generation in the state. He also assured Odisha government of extending full support for realizing the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi of making the nation AatmaNirbhar in mineral production. Joshi also stressed that the operations by OMC will play a very important role in market stabilization and availability of iron ore in the state. The commencementof iron ore production in these mines will help in reducing the iron ore shortage in the state to a large extent and also in the nation as a whole.
On the occasion Joshi said, “A step towards mineral security of the nation, this swift action proves that ‘Modi Hai To Mumkin Hai’ Production from these 2 iron ore mines will immediately address the shortage of raw material in the downstream industries, thus promoting economic activities in the state of Odisha.”
Jilling-Langlotta and Guali iron ore blocks are being reserved for OMC. Earlier, the Centre had already approved to reserve the Rengalbada iron ore block in favour of OMECL.
