BS has reported that though Orissa has 183 million tonnes of chrome ore, constituting 98% of India's total chrome deposits, only 3.27% of this - about 6 million tonnes - has been fully explored till date.
To expedite the exploration and exploitation of chrome reserves in the state, the government has granted mining leases to 15 companies including Ferro Alloys Corporation and Balasore Alloys. Of the total chrome reserves in Orissa, Sukinda area in Jajpur district has the lion’s share of 173 million tonnes, including low grade chrome.
The places in Sukinda where the chrome deposits are found are
1. Kamarda - 2 million tonnes
2. Saruabili - 9 million tonnes
3. Sukrangi - 7.5 million tonnes
4. Kaliapani - 25 million tonnes
5. Bhimatanger - 98 million tonnes
6. Kalarangi - 0.5 million tonne
7. Chingudipal and Tailangi - 13 million tonnes
Mr Raghunath Mohanty, steel and mines minister, said that out of the total deposits found in the Sukinda area, 18 million tonnes are of an inferior quality. He added that Kamakshyanagar in Dhenkanal district has about 4.42 million tonnes in reserves of chromite in locations like Sandhasar, Tulasiposhi, Haladigunda and Kathapal. The estimated reserves at Kathapal are 2 million tonne.
Mr Mohanty said that the total chromite reserve of the state is estimated at 183 million tonnes, out of which 177.42 million tonnes occur in Sukinda and Kamakshyanagar area.
Stating that the state government is taking effective steps for checking illegal mining, transportation and trading of chrome ore, he said that the government has formulated Orissa Minerals Rules 2007. Action is being taken against the persons, vehicles involved in this trade. Besides, state level and district level squads have been constituted to prevent smuggling and illegal trade of minerals.
Source: Business Standard/Steel Guru
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