Bhubaneswar: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday graced the 71st foundation day of the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) as chief guest and declared that the State-owned PSU is ready to step beyond Odisha’s borders to become a national mining powerhouse.
Addressing the celebration at Lok Seva Bhawan Convention Centre, the Chief Minister painted an inspiring picture of OMC’s meteoric journey, from a modest Rs 1 crore turnover in the 1960s to a staggering Rs 25,000 crore in 2025-26, coupled with a record 45 million tonne of mineral production that has cemented its position among India’s top mining companies.
OMC is no longer just a commercial entity, it is a pillar of Odisha’s economic development. The time has come for OMC to expand its footprint across the country while continuing to drive industrialisation and value addition within the state,” he said.
The Chief Minister spotlighted a groundbreaking achievement: OMC has completed pilot testing for the extraction of Platinum Group Elements (PGE) from the Bangur Chromite Mine in Kendujhar district. This strategic move will position Odisha as a key supplier of critical minerals essential for clean energy, electronics, and next-generation electric vehicles — directly supporting India’s green transition and the state’s “Prosperous Odisha@2036” vision.
Majhi also urged OMC to focus on downstream industries alongside mining and to employ more local youth so that mining communities see even greater improvements in their quality of life. He praised the corporation’s robust CSR initiatives that have transformed education, healthcare, drinking water, women’s empowerment, sports, and infrastructure in mining areas.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister inaugurated four landmark projects: the permanent campus of the Odisha Mining Ideal School at Kaliapani; eight state-of-the-art Basic Life Support Ambulances for mining-area residents; a new Integrated Command & Control Centre; and the “O-Swasthya” digital health management platform. He also felicitated the best-performing mines and regions of OMC.
Development Commissioner-cum-Additional Chief Secretary D.K. Singh lauded OMC’s unparalleled contribution to Odisha’s industrial growth, while OMC Chairman Girish S.N. and Managing Director Sudhanshu Mohan Samal welcomed the gathering and expressed gratitude.
With global demand for iron ore, bauxite, and chromite surging, OMC is poised not only to meet India’s needs but also to emerge as a major player in the international critical minerals landscape — a proud new chapter in Odisha’s journey of self-reliance and prosperity.