Argus News - Gold, Copper, Nickel Deposits Identified in Odisha's Mayurbhanj District; Govt Plans Auction

Bhubaneswar, Feb 19: The Odisha government on Thursday informed the Assembly that substantial deposits of gold, copper and nickel have been identified in Mayurbhanj district, and that a major mining block is planned to be auctioned in the 2026–27 financial year.

Replying to an unstarred question by Bangriposi MLA Sanjali Murmu, Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena said mineral exploration has been carried out in various parts of the former's constituency by the Geological Survey of India (GSI). He said copper-bearing areas, along with associated minerals, have been identified and are being consolidated for inclusion in the auction process.

Auction Planned in 2026–27

The minister said that during 2025–26, GSI prepared a Geological Report for the Madanasahi–Kanjia block in the Kuliana area after merging the mineral-bearing zones. Subsequent procedures, including DGPS survey and land verification, are currently underway.

He informed the House that the government is planning to auction the block in the 2026–27 financial year after completion of all statutory formalities.

Estimated Mineral Reserves

According to GSI findings, copper deposits have been identified at three locations in Mayurbhanj district, while gold and nickel have been found at one site.

In the Madanasahi–Kanjia area of the Kuliana block, an estimated 17.06 million tonnes of copper and 1,462.73 kilograms of gold have been recorded. At Kesharpur, 16.67 million tonnes of copper deposits have been identified. In Dudhiasole, exploration has indicated 4.04 million tonnes of copper and 2.05 million tonnes of nickel. Officials said the exploration in these areas is currently at the G-2, or general exploration, stage.

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Gold Traces in 10 Odisha Districts

Earlier, the state government had informed the Assembly that scattered gold deposits have been identified in nearly 10 districts across Odisha.

In Deogarh district’s Adas-Rampalli area, traces of gold ore were found during G-2 level exploration conducted by GSI for copper. Exploration to identify gold deposits is also underway in parts of Keonjhar district, including Gopur-Gajipur, Mankadchuan, Saleikana and Dimirimunda.

In Mayurbhanj district, preliminary exploration is ongoing in Jashipur, Suriagoda, Ruansi, Idelkucha, Marudihi, Suleipat (Dhusura Hill) and Badampahar. Apart from these, scattered indications of gold have been reported in Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Angul, Koraput, Malkangiri, Sambalpur and Boudh districts, though detailed exploration has not yet been conducted in those areas.