Bhubaneswar, Dec. 23 -- Odisha is poised to unlock a new chapter in its mining sector with plans to auction gold-bearing mineral blocks. Gold has been identified at Jaldiha in Keonjhar district and Madansahi-Kanjia in Mayurbhanj district, with the latter also containing copper deposits.

In pursuant to this, a crucial meeting has been convened on January 3, 2026 to review auction preparedness. Senior officials, including the Additional Chief Secretary of the Steel and Mines Department, the Managing Director of Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), the Director of Mines and GST officials, will attend. The annual auction calendar for 49 mineral blocks will be finalised.

A separate block at Betjharan in Mayurbhanj has vanadiferous magnetite alon...