India Strikes Major Gold Find as Odisha Emerges as New Mining Hotspot

India has made another significant natural resource breakthrough, with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) confirming the presence of sizeable gold reserves across multiple districts in Odisha. The discovery was announced in the Odisha legislative assembly in March 2025 by Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena, igniting widespread interest from both government and private players in the mining sector.

Gold deposits have been verified in Deogarh (Adasa-Rampalli region), Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Keonjhar, Angul and Koraput districts. Exploration activities are also currently underway in Mayurbhanj, Malkangiri, Sambalpur and Boudh. These developments position Odisha as a potential future hub for domestic gold production, which could help broaden India’s mineral portfolio.

Odisha Gold Mining News – Estimated Gold Reserves and Exploration Status

While official figures have not yet been released, early geological indicators suggest that Odisha’s gold reserves could range between 10 and 20 metric tonnes. Analysts emphasise that although this would not substantially reduce India’s dependence on imported gold — which stands at around 700–800 metric tonnes annually — it still represents a valuable step forward in diversifying the country’s mineral production. India’s domestic gold output remains extremely limited at approximately 1.6 tonnes per year as of 2020.

The GSI has already advanced its exploration process from G3 (reconnaissance) to G2 (detailed sampling and drilling) in key zones like Adasa-Rampalli and Gopur-Gajipur in order to verify the resource potential more precisely.

Government Action and Early Commercialisation Plans

The Odisha government, in collaboration with the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and GSI, is actively fast-tracking plans to commercialise the gold deposits. One of the first major steps will be the auction of a mining block in Deogarh, which is expected to mark a significant milestone for the state’s mineral sector.
Government sources have confirmed that technical and environmental assessments will be carried out under the MMDR Act before blocks are opened up to qualified participants.

Economic Significance and Regional Development Opportunities

The newly confirmed reserves could provide an important economic boost in various regions of Odisha. Potential benefits include new employment opportunities in mining, logistics and support services, as well as greater investment in infrastructure such as transport networks, power supply and water facilities.
Experts also note that Odisha already dominates national output of several key minerals—holding 96% of India’s chromite, 52% of its bauxite and 33% of its iron ore—and is now poised to add gold to its mineral export base.

Odisha Gold Mining News – What Happens Next?

According to officials, the next steps will involve a full geological assessment and laboratory analysis to confirm ore grades and extraction potential. Technical committees will then evaluate the commercial feasibility of the sites before the state proceeds to auction the approved mining blocks. Environmental and social impact reviews will also form part of the process, followed by the development of supporting infrastructure to enable active mining operations as part of the broader Odisha gold mining news initiative.

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