Bhubaneswar, 16 May (H.S.): Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday said that Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) has been playing a crucial role in Odisha’s industrialisation and economic growth amid rising global demand for minerals such as iron ore, bauxite and chromite.
Addressing the 71st Foundation Day celebration of OMC at the Lok Seva Convention Centre, the Chief Minister said the corporation, which began operations in the 1960s with a business turnover of just Rs 1 crore, has achieved a turnover of Rs 25,000 crore during the 2025-26 financial year.
He said OMC has also created a new record by producing 45 million tonnes of minerals, establishing itself as one of the country’s leading mining companies.
Mohan Charan Majhi advised the corporation to expand its operations beyond Odisha into other states. He stated that OMC possesses abundant mineral resources and should now focus not only on mining activities but also on industrial development.
The Chief Minister said that over the past seven decades, OMC has evolved beyond being merely a commercial enterprise and has emerged as a major pillar of Odisha’s economic progress. He noted that the corporation has been regularly contributing dividends to the state government while responsibly utilising Odisha’s valuable mineral resources for economic advancement.
Highlighting technological developments, the Chief Minister said OMC has successfully conducted pilot testing for the extraction of Platinum Group Elements (PGE) from the Bangur Chromite Mine in Keonjhar district. He added that the initiative would help Odisha play a significant role in supplying critical minerals required for clean energy, electronics and modern automobile manufacturing industries.
He expressed confidence that OMC would make a major contribution towards achieving the vision of a “Prosperous Odisha” by 2036.
The Chief Minister further stated that OMC has been continuously working towards environmental protection, safe mining operations and the overall development of mining regions. Through its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, the corporation has implemented several programmes in education, healthcare, drinking water supply, women empowerment, sports and infrastructure development, bringing positive changes to local communities in mining areas.
He also advised the corporation to provide greater employment opportunities to local residents in mining operations to further strengthen their livelihoods.
On the occasion, Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the permanent campus of the newly built Odisha Mining Adarsha Vidyalaya at Kaliapani, eight advanced Basic Life Support ambulances for mining-affected regions, an integrated management and monitoring centre, and a digital healthcare management system named ‘O-Swasthya’. He also felicitated top-performing mines and regions.
Speaking at the programme, Development Commissioner and Additional Chief Secretary D.K. Singh said OMC’s contribution to Odisha’s industrial growth has been unparalleled and stressed the need to make mining activities even more beneficial for the development of both the state and the nation.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Monalisa Panda
