Bhubaneswar, May 9: The Kodingamali bauxite mines, operated by the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) for the past eight years, are set for a major expansion as the state-owned enterprise ramps up production to meet rising industrial demand.

Located across Koraput and Rayagada districts, the mines currently produce 3.6 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) of bauxite, a key raw material for Odisha’s thriving industrial base. Plans are now underway to increase capacity to 6.0 MTPA.

While a small group has voiced opposition to the expansion, largely influenced by competing industrial interests, the broader community has rallied behind the project.

In a significant show of support, more than 10,000 residents from nearby villages have formally endorsed the expansion through a collective letter. Their backing underscores the tangible benefits the mine has brought to the region, including improved education, healthcare facilities, livelihood opportunities, water supply, and road connectivity.

OMC has emphasized that the expansion will be carried out with strict adherence to sustainable mining practices and environmental safeguards. The corporation reiterated its commitment to inclusive growth, ensuring that local communities remain central to the development process.

The expansion is expected to generate substantial socio-economic benefits, strengthening Odisha’s resource-driven economy while reinforcing the state’s position as a hub for mineral-based industries.

With community support and regulatory compliance in place, the Kodingamali Mines project stands as a model of how industrial growth and social development can progress hand in hand.