Post News Network
Bhubaneswar: The proposed Orissa Mineral Exploration Corporation (OMEC) will get its final shape in the new year that is just days away, said steel and mines minister Prafulla Mallick Friday.
“The Mineral Exploration Corporation will get its final shape in 2016. We sent a proposal to the Chief Minister regarding its formation last month,” said Mallick to this newspaper. The formation of OMEC, he said, will be executed as per the pr0visions of the new Orissa Mineral Exploration policy-2015 approved by the state government in July with an objective of realising the mining sector’s potential though scientific exploration of mineral resources.
The state government plans to form OMEC with the participation of Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC), Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) and industries based on mineral resources in order to intensify the exploration for minerals in the state.
“The proposed Mineral Exploration Corporation will help scale up mineral exploration activities and upgrade exploration to the G2 level and eventually to G1 level so that the potential of the mining sector is achieved to a greater extent,” said Mallick.
Meanwhile, as per its policy, the state government has also decided to sign memorandums of understanding with organisations like Geological Survey of India (GSI) and MECL for undertaking exploration activities in the state. While GSI has already set up an office in the state, efforts will be made to persuade MECL to establish a field office in the state, said top sources in the government.
The policy also provides for preparation of a master plan for a period of 10-15 years by the directorate of geology with technical assistance and support of experts for taking up reconnaissance and prospecting mineral operations in consultation with all stakeholders.
