By Bizodisha Bureau, Bhubaneswar, August 23, 2024: The mineral rich Odisha has gold deposits as well with the Geological Survey of India (GSI) finding gold deposits in the Adas Rampalli area of Deogarh district of Odisha. The state government for the first time will auction the mine, the state steel and mines minister Bibhuti Jena said in the assembly on Thursday.

Incidentally, the discovery of this gold deposit was coincidental as itduring a general exploration of copper, according to the written response of Jena. In a response to a question from Congress MLA Tara Prasad Bahinipati, Jena mentioned that GSI had previously identified gold presence in the Gopaur and Gazipur areas of Keonjhar district during preliminary surveys conducted between 1981-83 and 1989-96. It had been followed by a joint resurvey by the GSI and the Directorate of Mines and Geology (DoMG) since 2021-22.

However, as the quality and quantity of gold deposits in the Gopur-Gajipur area have not been estimated, there are no current plans for further exploration of this mineral block, the minister added. The minister also pointed out that the state-run Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) is surveying gold deposits in the Mankadachuan, Saleikana, and Dimirimunda areas in Keonjhar district.

Preliminary surveys by the GSI and the Department of Mines and Geology (DoMG) are also underway to locate gold mines in Joshipur, Suriaguda, Ruansila, Idelkucha, Maredihi, and Sulaipat (Dhushura hill) in Mayurbhanj district.

Jena further mentioned that there are indications of small gold deposits in districts such as Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Angul, Koraput, Malkangiri, Sambalpur, and Boudh, although detailed surveys have not yet been conducted in these areas.

Earlier in February 2023, surveys by the Directorate of Mines and the GSI revealed gold reserves in Deogarh, Keonjhar, and Mayurbhanj districts