#OPOGKP-4|ODISHA S.G.K | Minerals in Odisha | ଓଡ଼ିଶା ର ଖଣିଜଦ୍ରବ୍ୟ

Minerals in Odisha 

ଓଡ଼ିଶା ର ଖଣିଜଦ୍ରବ୍ୟ

IMPORTANT FOR OPSC OSSC OSSSC ASO and OTHER Odisha based exam.

The mineral resources of Odisha form a very important constituent of India's mineral wealth. Her possession includes a wide variety of ores and minerals such as Iron-ore, Chromite, Manganese ore, Bauxite, Non-coking Coal, Limestone, Dolomite, Nickel- ore, Vanadium-ore, Copper ore, Lead ore, Fireclay, China clay, Graphite, Quartz and Quartzite, mineral sands like Limonite, Sillimanite, Zircon and Tin ore. Odisha's resources of Bauxite, Chromite, Coal, Iron ore, Manganese and Nickel ore are formidable constituting approx. 50%, 98%, 25%, 35%, 27%, and 91% respectively of the total resources of the country.

Details of Gemstone Belts of Odisha

The gemstones occur in the diverse geological milieu in the Eastern Ghats Granulites Belt. Exploration efforts of the Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd. and the Directorate of Mining and Geology, has resulted in the identification of 52 gem belts with 16 mining blocks in the western districts of Odisha. Gemstones like ruby, sapphire, aquamarine, heliodor, garnets chrysoberyl cat's-eye, Sillimanite cat's-eye, topaz, zircon, iolite, tourmaline, etc occurring in these belts are superior in quality by virtue of their color, transparency, size, internal reflection and flawlessness. Most of the gem deposits are small and sporadic except for a few potential deposits which can be developed on large scale. The present mining activities are taken up by GEMCO, an assisted sector company of OMC in different areas.

Odisha state has emerged as a major source of colored gemstones in India for the last two decades. There has been large-scale deforestation leading to massive soil erosion, which has unraveled hidden deposits of several types of gemstones, in the late seventies in the western districts of Odisha by clandestine diggers and different exploratory agencies. The gem deposits occur in the diverse geological milieu in the Eastern Ghats Granulites Belt. The Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd has been entrusted with the work of exploration, exploitation, and marketing of gemstones in the state since October 1981. From 1982 OMC has been carrying out detailed exploration of the gem deposits and has made considerable headway in identifying potential gemstone resources of the state. Exploration was carried out under the UNDP project on "Development of Gemstone Resources of Odisha State" along with the Directorate of Mining and Geology, Odisha from March 1997.

Name of the Gem Belts in Nawapara District	Gemstones
1. Kotamal -Amhera -Babebir	Blue Sapphire
2. Durkapara-Sargimura	Garnet
3. Rohinpadar-Jubamal	Zircon & Blue Apatite
4. Damijhar-Budhapara	Garnet
5. Thalkodebri-Thagpali	Garnet
6. Khariar-Gurramura	Colored Cherts
7. Lanji-Mantritarai	Garnet
8. Junapani-Dhonrapara	Zircon
Name of the Gem Belts in Kalahandi District
9. Nandgaon Patialpara	Garnet
10. Antarla-Khaliakhani	Garnet
11. Ghutia area	Blue Corundum
12. Banjipadur-Dumerguda	Garnet
13. Dharamgarh- Kebari	Enstatite Cat's Eye
14. Hinjilibhal-Manickpadar	The Ruby /Corundum
15. Tilajhori-Karatikili	Aquamarine
16. Odbahali-Urharanga	Lolite & Ruby
17. Jillingdhar-Sinakuti	Ruby
18. Sirjapalli	Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye
Name of the Gem Belts in Subarnapur District
19. Biranaharajpur-Badmal	Aquamarine, Heliodor & Topaz
20. Siali-Naktammunda	Rhodolite Garnet
Name of the Gem Belts in Bolangir District
21. Guchhepara –Antarala	Aquamarine, Heliodor & Topaz
22. Jurabandh-Dukarchachra	Aquamarine, Heliodor & Topaz
23. Sangamara –Barkani	Aquamarine & Zircon
24. Saraibahal-Suklimuri	Aquamarine
25. Mathkai-Deogaon	Zircon
26. Dongapara– Jamutjhula	Zircon
27. Tetelkhunti-Lakhan	Zircon
28. Tetelpara-Chhatarang	Zircon
29. Ghumsar	Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye
30. Muribhal-Ghantabahali	Chrysoberyl
Name of the Gem Belts in Sambalpur District
31. Badamal-Badkhol	Aquamarine, Heliodor & Topaz
32. Jujumura-Tabloi	Aquamarine, Heliodor & Topaz
33. Charbati-Sardhapur	Aquamarine, Heliodor & Topaz
34. Kulabira-Bhatlaida	Aquamarine
35. Meghpal Area	Red & Blue Corundum
36. Ranchipada Area	Alexandrite
Name of the Gem Belts in Jharsuguda District
37. Bagidihi Area	Tourmaline
Name of the Gem Belts in Dhenkanal District
38. Mangarmohan-Jhilli	Kyanite Cat's Eye and Garnet
39. Nuagaon Area	Garnet and Red Corundum
Name of the Gem Belts in Angul District
40. Kulad-Nanguliabera	Aquamarine & Topaz
Name of the Gem Belts in Boudh District
41. Manmunda-Sagada	Aquamarine
42. Boudh–Kelakata	Gem Gravels with Garnet, Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye, Topaz, Zircon & Diamond etc.
Name of the Gem Belts in Rayagada District
43. Dahikhal–Karadanga	Hessonite Garnet
44. Murtili	Chrysoberyl
45. Sikampadar	Chrysoberyl
46. Bitarapara-Majhi	Hessonite Garnet
47. Guchhepara	Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye
48. Paika-Dhakulaguda	Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye
49. Gunusar	Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye
50. Laxmipur	Chrysoberyl Cat's Eye
51. San-Irukubadi	Sillimanite Cat's Eye
Name of the Gem Belts in Koraput District
52. Umpavalli-Gondivalsa	Zircon, Apatite & Tourmaline