In Odisha, high-value platinum has been discovered at Bangur in mineral-rich Keonjhar district. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has made the first-ever discovery following assessments that began in 2010.
The Odisha unit of GSI is in the process of preparing the discovery’s final report and the same will be submitted within a fortnight to the Odisha Mining Corporation(OMC), which was associated with the project following an MoU between the two organisations.
The Geologocial Survey of India (GSI) has discovered the high-valued platinum in Bangur in mineral-rich Keonjhar district.
Odisha Project Director of GSI, Subhranshu Bhusan Ray, has revealed that the platinum group of elemements ore is of high value and has been found in the 0.5sqkm lease area of the Odisha Mining Corporation at Bangur near the Hadgarh Wildlife Sanctuary. He said that the ore has an average grade of more than one gram per tonne. The deposits are workable and can be analysed.
In the 1990's, 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 Platinum Group of Elements 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.
According to reports, gold reserves were found at 18 different locations in Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundergarh, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Malkangiri, Angul and Boudh districts of Odisha in 2007.
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. The discovery of high-grade platinum might also revive the interest in gold.
Platinum, a silvery white metal extracted from the Platinum Group of Elements ore, has a variety of applications, but it is its worth as jewellery which makes it precious.
