Bhubaneswar: CM Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday urged state-owned Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) to expand its operations beyond Odisha and tap opportunities across the country, also emphasising the need for balancing its activities with environmental protection.Addressing the 71st foundation day function of the OMC here, Majhi said the corporation must now widen its operational scope and venture into mining activities in other states. “With abundant raw material reserves and proven expertise, the corporation should focus on both mining and value-driven industrialisation,” he said, adding it must continue its focus on safe practices, environmental sustainability and welfare of communities in mining areas.The CM added for more than seven decades, the OMC has not just functioned as a commercial organisation but emerged as a key pillar of Odisha’s economic development. “It has consistently contributed a hefty share of dividends to the state exchequer,” said Majhi, adding that responsible utilisation of mineral resources has contributed to the state’s growth.Highlighting future opportunities, the CM said the OMC’s successful pilot project for extraction of Platinum Group Elements from Bangur chromite mine in Keonjhar district will open new avenues. “This initiative will help strengthen supply of critical base metals required for clean energy, electronics and automobile manufacturing sectors,” he said, adding the OMC would play a crucial role in achieving the state’s 2036 vision.During the event, Majhi inaugurated several initiatives, including the permanent campus of Odisha Mining Adarsha Vidyalaya at Kaliapani, eight advanced life support ambulances for mining areas, an integrated management and monitoring centre, and a digital health management system named ‘O-Swasthya’.Development commissioner-cum-additional chief secretary D K Singh, who attended the function, lauded the OMC’s contribution to industrial growth and stressed the need to further align its operations with broader development. “The focus should now be on maximising benefits from mining for both the state and country,” he said.
