The Chief Minister of Odisha Mohan Charan Majhi inaugurated the Dubna Iron Ore Mines and launched a series of IT and green energy initiatives to mark the 70th Foundation Day of the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) at a commemorative event held at the Odisha University of Agriculture and Technology (OUAT), Bhubaneswar.

The event was attended by key dignitaries including the Minister of Steel & Mines Bibhuti Bhushan Jena; Development Commissioner of Odisha Anu Garg; the Additional Chief Secretary of Department of Steel & Mines Surendra Kumar; and OMC's Managing Director Sudhansu Mohan Samal.

Speaking on the occasion, Majhi underlined OMC’s vital contribution to Odisha’s economic growth and industrial development. “OMC is a key driver of Odisha’s economic trajectory and Vision 2036. With its rich mineral base, Odisha is poised to become a leading manufacturing hub. Our focus on downstream industries, supported by the establishment of ore beneficiation and pelletisation plants, will generate employment and strengthen our industrial ecosystem,” he said.

Reaffirming the state’s commitment to fostering a business-friendly environment, the Chief Minister praised OMC’s workforce for their role in the state’s development. “Our strong Ease of Doing Business climate continues to attract major investments, and I commend OMC’s dedicated workforce for their unwavering contribution,” he added.

The newly inaugurated Dubna Iron Ore Mines, located at Barbil in Keonjhar district, have an annual production capacity of 3 million tonnes of iron ore and 0.05 million tonnes of manganese. The mines have total reserves of 25.77 million tonnes of iron ore and 2.6 million tonnes of manganese. Additionally, power supply infrastructure was commissioned for the Tiringpahar Mines and Rengalbeda RR Colony, alongside the unveiling of a 920 kWp solar power plant distributed across OMC’s mines in the Barbil and Koira regions.

As part of OMC’s digital transformation drive, four new IT platforms were launched:

Logistics Management System (LMS) for transparent ore production and dispatch tracking,

OMC Plotwise Land Use System (OPLUS) for intelligent land monitoring,

OMC Finance Management System (OFMS) to streamline financial operations, and

OMC Recruitment Management System (ORMS) for transparent, merit-based hiring.

Highlighting the corporation’s broader mission, Steel & Mines Minister Jena said, “OMC is not merely a mining entity—it is shaping the foundation of a self-reliant, industrial Odisha. With a focus on production, digital innovation, and environmental stewardship, OMC is setting new standards in growth and sustainability.”

During the event, the Chief Minister also presented OMC’s annual organisational awards in categories such as Best Region, Best Mines, and Safest Mines. A CSR booklet titled “Touching Lives – OMC’s Social Commitment” was released, spotlighting OMC’s community outreach initiatives. A photo exhibition showcasing the corporation’s industry best practices and milestones over the past year was also on display.

In FY 2024-25, OMC registered its highest-ever mineral production at 40.2 million tonnes, comprising 35.7 MT of iron ore, 3.0 MT of bauxite, and 1.37 MT of chrome ore. The corporation also achieved record sales of 43.41 million tonnes during the fiscal year.

Source: PSU WATCH