Critical mineral exploration in Odisha received a new institutional push on Wednesday after the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and the Atomic Minerals Directorate for Exploration and Research (AMD), Hyderabad, signed a memorandum of understanding to collaborate on identifying and studying mineral resources in the state.
The partnership, announced by OMC, will cover research, scientific and technical knowledge exchange, capacity-building, joint studies and the adoption of advanced exploration technologies. The work will be undertaken within OMC’s mining leases and other mineral-bearing areas in Odisha.
AMD operates under the Department of Atomic Energy. The collaboration is intended to strengthen exploration capabilities and accelerate the discovery and development of critical and strategic minerals, according to the OMC statement. The agreement also provides for cooperation between the two organisations in building technical capacity and applying newer exploration methods.
The MoU comes as the Centre advances the National Critical Mineral Mission, launched in January 2025. The mission aims to reduce India’s dependence on imports, strengthen domestic mineral value chains and support sectors including clean energy, advanced technology and strategic industries.
Officials said the OMC-AMD partnership could help position Odisha as a major hub for critical minerals and high-technology industries. The initiative is also aligned with India’s stated objective of achieving greater self-reliance in critical mineral resources, although the statement did not specify the minerals to be explored, the number of sites involved or a project-wise timeline.
The agreement expands the role of OMC beyond its existing production base. The wholly owned Odisha government public sector undertaking is among India’s largest mining companies and currently produces chrome ore, iron ore, bauxite, manganese and limestone. These minerals supply major mineral-based industries, including steel and aluminium.
OMC’s latest production figures underline the scale of the organisation that will support the exploration effort. In 2025-26, it recorded its highest-ever mineral production at 44.82 million tonnes. Iron ore production reached a record 40.02 million tonnes, an increase of 12.06% from the previous year, while chrome ore and bauxite production stood at 1.69 million tonnes and 2.83 million tonnes respectively.
The corporation’s mineral sales totalled 42.52 million tonnes during the year, helping it report its highest-ever revenue of Rs 25,300 crore. The MoU now links that established mining and production capacity with AMD’s exploration expertise and the wider national effort to secure minerals considered important for strategic and emerging industries.
The OMC statement did not provide details on specific exploration targets, estimated reserves, investment commitments or the schedule for joint studies. Further operational details will determine how quickly the agreement translates into field-level exploration and resource development.
