Odisha is poised to become a significant player in India’s gold mining landscape following the discovery of substantial gold reserves across multiple districts.
The Geological Survey of India (GSI), in collaboration with the state’s Directorate of Mines and Geology, has confirmed the presence of gold deposits in Deogarh, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj districts, with further indications of reserves in Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Angul, Koraput, Malkangiri, Sambalpur, and Boudh.
The findings, first hinted at in surveys from the 1970s and 1980s, have gained momentum with recent explorations, positioning Odisha for its first-ever gold mine auction in Deogarh.
State Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena announced in the Odisha Assembly that the GSI stumbled upon gold deposits during a general exploration (G2 level) for copper ore in the Adas-Rampalli area of Deogarh district. An estimated 1,685 kilograms of gold ore, alongside copper, has been detected, prompting the government to prepare for auctioning the block.
Meanwhile, the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) is conducting surveys at Mankadachuan, Saleikana, and Dimirimunda in Keonjhar, while preliminary explorations continue in Mayurbhanj’s Jashipur, Suriaguda, Ruansila, Idelkucha, Maredihi, and Sulaipat (Dhushura hill) areas.
The discovery builds on earlier reports from 2023, when gold was identified in Keonjhar’s Gopur, Gazipur, Kusakala, Adal, Saleikana, Dimirimunda, and Karadanga regions, Mayurbhanj’s Jashipur, Saraguda, Ruansi, and Badampahar, and Deogarh’s Adas.
Although initial surveys date back decades, recent advancements in technology and renewed efforts since 2021-22 have confirmed the viability of these reserves. Jena noted that while the quality and quantity of some deposits, like those in Gopur-Gazipur, are still under evaluation, the state is moving swiftly to capitalize on its mineral wealth.
Odisha’s gold rush could reshape its economy, potentially reducing India’s reliance on gold imports, which hover between 700-800 metric tons annually against a domestic production of just 1.6 metric tons. However, the lack of precise estimates—beyond the Deogarh find—and timelines for extraction leaves the full impact uncertain.
As the state gears up for its historic auction, with results from ongoing surveys expected by late 2025, Odisha stands at the cusp of a mineral boom, drawing attention from investors and policymakers alike.