Chief minister Naveen Patnaik gets ready to speak at the seminar on ‘Development of Chromite Nickel and PGM Resources’ in Bhubaneswar while steel and mines secretary Manoj Ahuja looks on. Picture by Sanjib Mukherjee

Bhubaneswar, Nov. 27: Chromite ore has been found beyond a depth of 250 meters in the mineral-rich Sukinda valley in Jajpur district and the reserve could extend to a depth of metres.

“There is distinct possibility of chromite ore availability further down to 500 meters. The challenge before us is to adopt a suitable technology to extract chromite from the deeper levels. In the event of this happening, our resources will be significantly augmented,” chief minister Naveen Patnaik said today while inaugurating a seminar on development of chromite, nickel and PGM (platinum group of metals) resources.

The seminar was organised by the Society of Geoscientists and Allied Technologists (SGAT), in collaboration with the steel and mines department of the state government. Experts from not only India but also Turkey, USA, Finland and Canada presented their papers at the seminar.

The CM also urged the scientists and representatives of the international companies to suggest measures on how to reduce the cost of production of ferro alloys.

“Sukinda valley of the state is one of our richest mineral-bearing areas and we intend to take up an integrated development of the valley along with the best possible environment management practices,” Naveen said.

According to Naveen, India was yet to establish economically workable resources of the platinum group of metals. “However there are some promising indications from the state,” the chief minister said.

Orissa possesses about 95 per cent of the total resources of the country and accounts for 98 per cent of the total production of the country.

Speaking on the occasion, steel and mines secretary Manoj Ahuja said the state’s aim was to ensure a sustainable economic growth. “New technology should be adopted for this purpose,” he said.

SGAT advisor, B.K. Mohanty said the seminar would deliberate on the issue of adoption of state-of-art techniques for assessment of PGM resources.

“We have found that chromite is found at a depth of 500 metre. Underground mining is also the need of the hour,” he said.

The Association also demanded restriction of export of chromite in raw form and encourage export of chrome ore produced by benefication of ore containing less than 15 chromite oxide.