Bhubaneswar | August 07, 2016: As part of its efforts to raise raw material output in the state, the Odisha government has set a target of 8.64 mt of iron ore and chrome in 2016-17.

The decision was taken at a high-level meeting where Chief Secretary A P Padhi reviewed the activities of the state-run Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) last evening, officials said today.

"The chief secretary has directed to scale up the activities and ramp up production of OMC. Target was set to enhance production of iron ore and chrome to 8.64 million tonne during 2016-17," said OMC MD Vineel Krishna.

To a question, Krishna said, "We have put in place the action plan to enhance production. By the end of July this year, around 2.41 mt of iron ore and chrome had been produced against the target of 8.64 mt. I am optimistic that we would reach our target."

The iron ore production target for 2016-17 has been set at 3 mt for Daitari, 2.4 mt for Kurmitar and 2 mt for Gandhamardan-B mines.

As for chrome, the target is to produce 1.1 mt from South Kaliapani, 0.13 mt from Sukrungi and 15,000 mt from Bangur mines during the same year.

The various issues relating to mining were discussed in the meeting.

OMC is yet to get environmental clearance for raising annual production from these mines. The application in this regard has been pending with the Ministry of Environment and Forest.

The meeting also deliberated on production for 2017-18. Matters such as forest clearance, conduct of Gram Sabha, sales policy of OMC, extension of railway line for evacuation of coal in Talcher coal field and other problems were discussed and action points decided, Krishna added.

(Source: http://www.business-standard.com/)