Bhubaneswar: In a major discovery highlighting Odisha’s rich mineral wealth, deposits of precious stones, including diamond, and ruby have been found in some districts of the state.
Sharing this information while replying questions in the Assembly on Thursday, Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhushan Jena said that gold-bearing stones have also been found in several districts.
The Minister confirmed that diamond-bearing stones have been identified in Kalmidadar under the Nuapada block of Nuapada district. Experts are now assessing the technical, economic, and allied aspects of the discovery, he said.
Similarly, rubies have been found in Hinjilibahal–Jilingibar under Junagarh block of Kalahandi district.
The Minister clarified that no pearl mines have been identified in the state so far.
Odisha’s mineral wealth extends further. In Deogarh district’s Reamal block, copper-bearing stones, graphite, nickel, and gold have been located in the Adas–Rampalli areas.
Similarly, in Mayurbhanj district’s Kuliana block, gold and copper-bearing stones have been traced in Madanasahi–Kanjia. Keonjhar district’s Banspal block has also shown signs of gold-bearing stones in Gopur–Jaladihi.
The Minister informed that detailed technical, economic, and feasibility studies are currently underway to assess the viability of mining these resources.