Introduction for Top 10 Minerals in Western Odisha
Western Odisha, a region rich in mineral wealth, plays a crucial role in Odisha’s mining industry. Spanning several districts, this area is endowed with bauxite, iron ore, coal, limestone, manganese, graphite, and precious stones. These mineral resources contribute significantly to industrial growth, economic development, and employment generation.
Importance of Mineral Resources in Western Odisha
Odisha is one of India’s leading mineral-producing states, with Western Odisha hosting a significant portion of these reserves. The minerals extracted from this region serve as raw materials for industries such as steel, aluminum, cement, power generation, and electronics. Key industries like sponge iron plants, thermal power plants, and cement factories have flourished due to the abundant mineral reserves.
Economic Impact of Mining in Western Odisha
- Employment Generation: The mining sector provides direct and indirect employment to thousands of people in districts like Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, and Sambalpur.
- Revenue Generation: Mining contributes a substantial share to the state’s economy through royalties, taxes, and export earnings.
- Industrial Growth: The availability of minerals has led to the establishment of steel plants, aluminum refineries, and coal-based power plants, further boosting the region’s infrastructure.
Objectives of the Blog
This blog aims to provide a district-wise breakdown of mineral resources in Western Odisha, covering:
- Geological formations and mineral occurrences
- Quantity and quality of minerals
- Key mining locations and reserves
- Economic significance and prospects
With a systematic and data-driven approach, this guide will highlight the potential of Western Odisha’s mineral sector and its contribution to regional and national growth.
2. Geological Background of Western Odisha
Overview of the Geological Setup
Western Odisha exhibits a diverse geological framework that significantly influences its mineral deposits. The region comprises Precambrian metamorphic rocks, Gondwana formations, and Quaternary sediments, which host a wide range of economically valuable minerals.
Major Rock Formations in Western Odisha
Western Odisha’s geological formations can be broadly classified into:
- Archaean Rocks (Precambrian Era):
- Found in districts like Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, and Sambalpur.
- Composed of gneisses, granites, schists, and ultramafic rocks.
- These formations contain iron ore, chromite, manganese, and gold.
- Proterozoic Rocks (Eastern Ghats Supergroup):
- Found in Kalahandi, Nuapada, and Balangir districts.
- Composed of khondalite, charnockite, and quartzite.
- Host significant bauxite, manganese, and graphite deposits.
- Gondwana Sedimentary Formations:
- Located in Jharsuguda and parts of Sundargarh and Sambalpur.
- Contains coal, fireclay, and limestone deposits.
- Tertiary and Quaternary Deposits:
- Found along riverbanks and plateaus.
- Contains alluvial sediments, mineral sands, and lateritic formations rich in nickel and bauxite.
Types of Mineral Deposits in Western Odisha
- Banded Iron Formations (BIFs):
- Contains high-grade iron ore.
- Major occurrences: Barsuan, Kalta, Koira (Sundargarh).
- Lateritic Plateaus:
- Host large bauxite deposits.
- Major occurrences: Karlapat (Kalahandi), Gandhamardan (Balangir-Bargarh).
- Coal-Bearing Gondwana Basins:
- Contains vast coal and fireclay reserves.
- Major occurrences: Ib Valley Coalfield (Jharsuguda, Sambalpur).
3. District-Wise Mineral Distribution in Western Odisha
Overview of Mineral Resources in Western Odisha (As per Official Data)
| District | Major Minerals | Exact Locations | Estimated Reserves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kalahandi | Bauxite, Quartz, Graphite, Gemstones | Karlapat, Kutrumali-Tangridongar, Lanjigarh, Krishunmali | Bauxite: 36.5 million tonnes |
| Nuapada | Diamond, Graphite, Quartz, Gemstones | Bhaira, Dalipathara, Dharambandha, Kalamidadar | Diamond exploration ongoing |
| Balangir | Graphite, Manganese, Quartz, Dolomite, Gemstones | Gandhamardan, Gerdi, Bharatbahal, Rengali | Bauxite potential identified |
| Bargarh | Limestone, Quartz, Dolomite, Graphite | Jampalli, Banjipalli, Dungri, Putka-Saramsil | Significant limestone reserves |
| Jharsuguda | Coal, Fire Clay, Quartz, Quartzite | Ib River Coalfield, Belpahar, Lajkura, Lilari, Lakhanpur | 2,445 million tonnes of coal |
| Sambalpur | Coal, Graphite, Quartzite, Red Ochre | Ib Valley Coalfields, Kuchinda, Hansamura-Kantapali | Major coal reserves |
| Sundargarh | Iron Ore, Manganese, Limestone, Dolomite, Bauxite | Barsuan, Kalta, Koira, Kurmitarpahar, Tantra | Iron Ore: 500 million tonnes |
| Subarnapur | Quartz, Gemstones | Mahanadi Riverbed, Badmal, Bairagipalli | Diamond occurrences being explored |
| Boudh | Quartz | Sekamal, Kalasulia, Gopalpur, Sariapali | Significant quartz reserves |
| Debagarh | Quartz, Quartzite, Graphite | Kundheigola, Gurda, Palsama, Jharposhi | Estimated reserves vary by location |
This table provides an accurate district-wise breakdown of major minerals, their exact locations, and their estimated reserves as per the official data from the compendium.
Kalahandi District
Kalahandi is known for its vast reserves of bauxite, quartz, graphite, and gemstones. The key mining locations include Karlapat, Kutrumali-Tangridongar, Lanjigarh, and Krishunmali, with an estimated bauxite reserve of 36.5 million tonnes. Bauxite from this district plays a crucial role in the aluminum industry.
Nuapada District
Nuapada hosts deposits of diamond, graphite, quartz, and gemstones. The major mining sites are Bhaira, Dalipathara, Dharambandha, and Kalamidadar, where diamond exploration is actively ongoing. This district has the potential to emerge as a significant player in the gemstone and mineral-based industries.
Balangir District
Balangir is rich in graphite, manganese, quartz, dolomite, and gemstones. Important mineral locations include Gandhamardan, Gerdi, Bharatbahal, and Rengali. The district holds potential bauxite deposits that could contribute significantly to Odisha’s mineral economy.
Bargarh District
Bargarh is an important source of limestone, quartz, dolomite, and graphite. The primary mining areas include Jampalli, Banjipalli, Dungri, and Putka-Saramsil, with significant limestone reserves that support the cement and construction industries.
Jharsuguda District
Jharsuguda plays a crucial role in Odisha’s coal mining industry. The Ib River Coalfield holds an estimated 2,445 million tonnes of coal, making it one of the most significant coal reserves in the region. Other key mining locations include Belpahar, Lajkura, Lilari, and Lakhanpur, contributing to the extraction of coal and fire clay.
Sambalpur District
Sambalpur is another major coal-producing district, with additional deposits of graphite, quartzite, and red ochre. The Ib Valley Coalfields, Kuchinda, and Hansamura-Kantapali are key sites, making this district an important contributor to Odisha’s power generation and industrial sector.
Sundargarh District
Sundargarh is rich in iron ore, manganese, limestone, dolomite, and bauxite. Major mining areas include Barsuan, Kalta, Koira, Kurmitarpahar, and Tantra, with iron ore reserves estimated at 500 million tonnes. This district plays a vital role in supplying raw materials for Odisha’s steel industries.
Subarnapur District
Subarnapur, located along the Mahanadi Riverbed, contains quartz and gemstones. Deposits are being explored in Badmal and Bairagipalli, with ongoing investigations into diamond occurrences that may lead to future commercial mining opportunities.
Boudh District
Boudh is known for its quartz reserves, with mining activities concentrated in Sekamal, Kalasulia, Gopalpur, and Sariapali. The high-quality quartz from this district is utilized in various industrial applications.
Debagarh District
Debagarh contains deposits of quartz, quartzite, and graphite, with mining operations taking place in Kundheigola, Gurda, Palsama, and Jharposhi. These minerals are essential for multiple industries, including manufacturing and electronics.
This comprehensive district-wise breakdown of mineral resources highlights Western Odisha’s immense potential in mining and industrial development. The abundant reserves play a crucial role in fueling Odisha’s mineral-based economy, supporting industries such as steel, cement, power generation, and manufacturing.
4. Top 10 Minerals in Western Odisha
Western Odisha is one of India’s richest regions in terms of mineral deposits, making it a crucial contributor to the country’s mining and industrial sectors. The region is endowed with vast reserves of bauxite, iron ore, coal, limestone, manganese, graphite, gemstones, diamonds, lead, and copper, which play a significant role in economic growth and industrial development. These minerals are extensively extracted and utilized in industries such as steel, aluminum, power generation, cement, and electronics. With abundant natural resources, Western Odisha remains a key mining hub, supporting both domestic industries and exports. This document provides an in-depth look at the top 10 minerals in Western Odisha, their reserves, and key locations.
1. Bauxite Reserves
Western Odisha has 800 million tonnes of bauxite reserves, with significant deposits in Karlapat, Kutrumali-Tangridongar, Lanjigarh, and Krishunmali in Kalahandi, as well as Gandhamardan in Balangir-Bargarh. These reserves support major aluminum industries
2. Iron Ore Reserves
Sundargarh district hosts 500 million tonnes of iron ore reserves, mainly in Barsuan, Kalta, Koira, Kurmitarpahar, Baliapahar, and Mithihuda. These deposits fuel Odisha’s steel production.
3. Coal Reserves
Jharsuguda and Sambalpur districts are key coal-producing areas, with the Ib Valley Coalfield containing 2,445 million tonnes of coal. Major locations include Ib River Coalfield, Belpahar, Lajkura, Lilari, and Lakhanpur in Jharsuguda, along with Ib Valley and Kuchinda in Sambalpur.
4. Limestone Reserves
The region has an estimated 250 million tonnes of limestone, primarily found in Jampalli, Banjipalli, and Dungri in Bargarh, and Lanjiberna and Khatkurbahal in Sundargarh. These deposits are vital for cement and steel manufacturing.
5. Manganese Reserves
Significant manganese reserves exist in Gandhamardan in Balangir-Bargarh and Barsuan, Kalta, and Koira in Sundargarh, essential for steel production
6. Graphite Reserves
Graphite deposits, used in battery production and lubrication, are located in Gerdi, Fulmati, and Sargipali-Golamunda in Balangir, and Dukukamal and Beherapani in Kalahandi
7. Gemstones and Diamond Reserves
Nuapada and Subarnapur districts have promising gemstone and diamond deposits. Dharambandha and Kalmidadar in Nuapada contain diamondiferous lamproite rocks, while the Mahanadi Riverbed in Subarnapur is rich in gemstones
8. Lead and Zinc Reserves
Lead and zinc deposits are primarily found in Sargipalli in Sundargarh, contributing to Odisha’s industrial sector
9. Copper Reserves
Debagarh district has 3.09 million tonnes of copper ore in Adash, which is crucial for electrical and industrial applications
10. Dimond
Diamond deposits are also present in Kalamidadar in Nuapada, where diamondiferous lamproite pipes have been discovered, as well as the Mahanadi Riverbed in Subarnapur-Boudh, which contains secondary diamond deposits.
The mineral wealth of Western Odisha plays a crucial role in state and national economic development. With the adoption of modern mining techniques and sustainable practices, these resources can continue to drive industrial growth while ensuring environmental conservation.
Economic Impact of Mining in Western Odisha
The mining sector provides direct and indirect employment to thousands of people in districts like Sundargarh, Jharsuguda, Kalahandi, and Sambalpur. Mining contributes a substantial share to the state’s economy through royalties, taxes, and export earnings. The availability of minerals has led to the establishment of steel plants, aluminum refineries, and coal-based power plants, further boosting the region’s infrastructure.
6. Future Prospects & Sustainable Development
The future of mineral exploration and mining in Western Odisha is promising, with new opportunities emerging in the sector. Advancements in mining technology, improved resource management, and increased government initiatives are expected to drive growth in this region. Sustainable mining practices are becoming a key focus to ensure that mineral extraction does not lead to environmental degradation. Stricter regulations and policies are being introduced to monitor mining operations and reduce their ecological impact.
Efforts are being made to promote eco-friendly mining by utilizing cleaner energy sources and implementing land reclamation projects. The government and private enterprises are investing in infrastructure to facilitate mineral transportation and processing. With the growing demand for minerals like iron ore, bauxite, and coal in the global market, Western Odisha has the potential to become a major mineral hub. However, challenges such as deforestation, water pollution, and displacement of local communities need to be addressed through responsible mining practices.
The role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives is also increasing, with mining companies focusing on the welfare of local communities. Programs related to skill development, healthcare, and education are being implemented to create a positive socio-economic impact. Western Odisha’s mining sector is poised for a balanced growth approach that integrates economic benefits with environmental conservation and community welfare. By adopting best practices in sustainable development, the region can ensure long-term prosperity while preserving its rich natural resources.
7. Conclusion
Western Odisha is a powerhouse of mineral wealth, playing a crucial role in the state’s economic growth and industrial expansion. With vast reserves of bauxite, iron ore, coal, limestone, and other critical minerals, the region supports a wide range of industries, from steel and aluminum manufacturing to power generation and cement production. The extensive coal deposits in Jharsuguda and Sambalpur meet rising energy demands, while iron ore reserves in Sundargarh bolster Odisha’s steel sector. The presence of gemstones, diamonds, lead, and copper further highlights the region’s rich mining potential and economic significance.
Note: This Blog/article provides an overview based on available data; for the most up-to-date and official information on mineral reserves, please visit the Odisha government’s official website.
