Bhubaneswar, July 31: The Odisha unit of the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has made the first-ever discovery of high-value platinum at Bangur in mineral-rich Keonjhar district following assessments which began in 2010.
The GSI is in the process of preparing the discovery’s final report that would be submitted to the Odisha Mining Corporation, which was associated with the project following an MoU between the two organisations.
“It’s of high value,” said project director Subhranshu Bhushan Ray, adding that the platinum group of elements (PGE) ore, found in the .5sqkm lease area of the corporation at Bangur near the Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary, had an average grade of more than one gram per tonne.
Ray, who is a director with the GSI’s Odisha unit, said the deposits were workable and could be analysed. “Our report is in the print and should be ready within a fortnight,” the scientist said.
Sources said that in the 90s, a joint geological survey team from France and India had carried out prolonged prospecting work in parts of Keonjhar district. Though the team did find platinum at Baula of the district, but it was not considered of high grade. The team, which had submitted its report in 1998, found the Bangur area without promise.
However, quality notwithstanding the deposits at Baula, estimated to be around 14.2 million tonnes, are considered to be one of the largest of PGE ore in the country. Much smaller deposits were found a few years ago in Karnataka.
Odisha has also reported gold deposits in the past though these are yet to be worked. Sources said that in 2007, gold reserves were found at 18 different locations in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundergarh, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Angul and Boudh districts.
At that point of time, the deposits had appeared to be workable and commercially viable. However, ever since there has been no news on this front. Sources, however, said the discovery of high-grade platinum might also revive the interest in gold.
Platinum, a silvery white metal extracted from the PGE ore, has a variety of applications, but it is its worth as jewellery which makes it precious.
