BHUBANESHWAR, May 5: Odisha’s mining sector-particularly in bauxite, iron ore, and coal-represents its greatest strategic advantage.
Experts believe it has the potential to drive large-scale investments, generate employment, boost infrastructure, and enhance global competitiveness.
However, the state has only tapped a fraction of its mineral wealth. Underutilization of resources like bauxite, procedural hurdles, inter-state wealth drainage, and missed past opportunities underscore the urgent need for bold reforms.
These insights were shared during the unveiling of a white paper titled “Mining Odisha’s Potential: Powering India’s Journey to Atma Nirbharta and Prosperity.”
“Odisha is at a now-or-never moment. This is about transformation-about converting our God-given resources into people-centric growth. The next generation of Odias should inherit not just rich soil, but also a legacy of inclusive progress, world-class institutions, and lasting prosperity,” the white paper stated.
At this crucial juncture, Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi’s leadership provides a strong foundation to translate Odisha’s mineral strengths into inclusive industrialization and regional development, said Dr. Jayadev Sarangi, a retired IAS while presenting the white paper prepared by AIDENT (An Initiative for Development & Empowerment).
The report lays out a phased roadmap to help Odisha shift from being a raw material exporter to a value creator. It proposes:
Short-term (1 2 years): Streamlining auctions and fast-tracking regulatory clearances.Medium-term: Developing mineral corridors and supporting downstream manufacturing clusters.Long-term: Establishing Odisha as a national hub for green aluminium, steel, and critical minerals.The paper emphasizes that unlocking bauxite reserves in districts like Kalahandi could alone empower over 10,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), create 2.4 million jobs, and attract multi-billion-dollar investments.
Odisha must move from mere resource extraction to value creation, learning from states like Gujarat and Maharashtra, which have achieved rapid industrialization despite having fewer natural resources.
Holding 35 percent of India’s iron ore, 59 percent of its bauxite, and significant coal, chromite, and manganese reserves, Odisha is critical to India’s mineral security. These resources are essential for infrastructure, power, transportation, renewable energy, and defense sectors.
(UNI_
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