Gold mines discovered in three Odisha districts; exploration intensifies across nine districts

Bhubaneswar(By Abhishek Mohanty): Gold deposits have been discovered in three districts of Odisha—Deogarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj—Commerce and Transport Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena informed the Odisha Legislative Assembly on Thursday.

Responding to a query by Baramba MLA (Independent) Bijaya Kumar Dalabehera, the Minister said confirmed gold deposits have been identified in the Adas–Rampalli area of Deogarh district, the Gopur–Jaladihi belt of Keonjhar district, and the Madansahi–Kanjia area in Mayurbhanj district.

Detailed exploration is currently underway at these sites.
He further informed the House that preliminary exploration conducted by the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) has revealed several additional locations across the state with potential gold reserves. These sites are at different stages of exploration and indicate the possibility of wider gold mineralisation beyond the three districts where deposits have already been confirmed.

According to the Minister, areas with suspected gold potential have been identified in nine districts—Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundargarh, Koraput, Malkangiri, Angul, Boudh, Sambalpur and Deogarh.
In Keonjhar district, prospective sites include Gajipur, Saleikena and Dimirimunda. Mayurbhanj district has several locations such as Jashipur, Suriagoda, Ruansi, Idelkucha, Marudihi, Suleipat and the Badampahar (Badam Hills) region. 

In Sundargarh, areas like Digajharan, Malidihi, Ghoghar and Giringkela have shown potential.
Other identified sites include Rangapani, Garia and Dasmantpur in Koraput; Sunapadar, Kiyanga and Govindapali in Malkangiri; Mankadachua, Tikir and Samakoi in Angul; Kudagaon, Janhapank and Ramagarh in Boudh; Kendukhunti and Kuntarabahal in Sambalpur; and Sunakeni, Niktimal and Gailo in Deogarh.

The Minister stated that further geological and mineral exploration will continue to assess the commercial viability of these deposits. If confirmed, the discoveries could significantly strengthen Odisha’s mineral resource base and boost the state’s mining sector.