State identifies 100 small bauxite plateaus for exploration

To meet the future raw material requirement of the industries using non-ferrous metals, the Orissa government has decided to intensify exploration of bauxite, coal, limestone and heavy minerals in beach sand.

As part of this plan, the Directorate of Geology (DoG) of the Orissa government has identified one hundred small bauxite plateaus with areas of more than 0.5 km in undivided Koraput and Kalahandi district.

Samples were collected from these locations and the study assessing the grade, thickness and viability is being conducted by the directorate. The investigation will start after obtaining the analysis result of the samples in about 2-3 months, official sources said, adding that the investigation for bauxite is being done mostly in areas naxal infested areas.

Since most part of the surface exposed deposits had been explored earlier, the new initiative focuses on intensive exploitation of concealed bauxite deposits. “Emphasis is given on identification and assessment of small bauxite reserves to cater to the requirement of the aluminium industry in next five years”, a senior official told Business Standard. The move assumes importance as a couple of companies are awaiting the nod of the state government to expand their alumina refinery and smelting capacity and the government has put their proposals on hold citing non-availability of adequate quantity of bauxite. Companies envisaging new investments in this sector included Vedanta Aluminium Ltd (VAL), Hindalco and public sector National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco). Sources said, intensive investigation for bauxite has just been completed in Bhitargurha of Kalahandi district and Panchada-Baldiaparha of Koraput district among others.

Continuing with its earlier focus on ferrous metals, the directorate has completed the investigation of iron ore in Keonjhar district while the process is on in Sundergarh district.

The investigation of diamond in Nuapada district has been completed just couple of days back. While investigation to prove the presence of coal seam in Talcher area, which can only be exploited through underground mining, is continuing at present, exploration is on at Madhupur coal block in IB Valley to assess the thermal grade coal reserve of the block. In a major shift of strategy, the directorate initiated measures to start the investigation season from November instead of January-February.