Odisha is set to make history by auctioning its first-ever gold mines as part of an ambitious annual mineral auction calendar covering 49 mineral blocks. The state government is preparing to auction two gold-bearing blocks during the 2025–26 financial year, with the auction process likely to begin in 2026. This initiative aligns with the Ministry of Mines’ directive to ensure greater transparency, predictability and efficiency in the mineral auction process across India.
A high-level committee chaired by the Additional Chief Secretary of the Steel and Mines Department will meet on January 3, 2026, to finalise the annual auction calendar. The meeting will assess the suitability, exploration status and auction readiness of the identified mineral blocks. According to an official communication issued by Gauttam Chaudhury, Additional Secretary of the department, the review will play a crucial role in shaping Odisha’s mineral auction roadmap for the coming years.
The proposed mineral blocks have been explored by multiple agencies, including the Directorate of Mines and Geology, Odisha Mining Corporation, Geological Survey of India and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited. These explorations have helped establish the technical viability and mineral potential of the blocks proposed for auction.
Steel and Mines Minister Bibhuti Bhusan Jena highlighted the government’s renewed push for systematic mineral development. He stated that no mining auctions were held between 2023 and the formation of the current government. Since coming to power, the state has prepared 30 mines for auction, of which eight have already been successfully auctioned. Notices Inviting Tenders have been issued for 12 more mines, while the remaining 10 are scheduled to be auctioned in January. Following the completion of these auctions, the department will implement a structured annual auction plan and review the status of mines for the 2026–27 period.
As per the proposed plan, the 2026–27 auction calendar will include 35 major mineral blocks. Six critical mineral blocks are slated for auction in 2025–26, while eight critical mineral blocks are planned for 2027. The state government aims to auction all identified mines by 2026–27, ensuring comprehensive utilisation of Odisha’s mineral resources.
The two gold-bearing blocks identified for auction are the Madansahi Kanjia block in Mayurbhanj district and the Jaldiha block in Keonjhar district. The Madansahi Kanjia block spans approximately 300 hectares and contains both gold and copper deposits. The Jaldiha block, covering around 150 hectares, is a pure gold-bearing area. Both blocks have undergone G2-level exploration, which involves detailed geological assessments of identified mineral zones, confirming their mineral potential.
Gold occurrences have been confirmed in several districts of Odisha, including Sundargarh, Nabarangpur, Angul, Koraput, Keonjhar and Deogarh. Preliminary surveys have also indicated gold potential in Malkangiri, Sambalpur and Boudh districts. In Mayurbhanj district, detailed exploration activities are ongoing in areas such as Jashipur, Suriaguda, Ruaansi, Idelkucha, Maredihi, Suleipat and Badampahad. Additionally, earlier studies by the Geological Survey of India detected traces of gold during copper exploration in the Adasa Rampalli belt of Deogarh district.
With the planned auction of gold mines and a structured long-term auction calendar, Odisha is positioning itself as a key player in India’s mineral sector, promoting responsible mining, attracting investment and unlocking the state’s vast mineral potential.
