Odisha has struck gold, literally! The state known for its rich mineral resources has hit the headlines for discovering gold reserves in three districts. According to the Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallik, the Geological Survey Of India (GSI) has identified gold deposits in the Deogarh, Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts of the state. The surveys reveal that an estimated 1,685 kg of gold ore has been detected in the Adas area of the Deogarh district along with copper.

The Geological Survey of India (GSI) experts have also found gold reserves in seven places each in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts. Currently, India has only three working gold mines, producing around 1.6 tonnes of gold per year. The demand for gold in India is significantly high, with the country consuming 774 tonnes a year.

The discovery of gold reserves in Odisha has raised hopes for increasing gold production in India, with the Centre looking to boost domestic production to meet the rising demand for gold. The Ministry of Mines reports that India's gold reserves currently stand at a total of 70.1t, with the majority of reserves located in South India, particularly Karnataka.

According to the World Gold Council, long-term improvements in the mining infrastructure and regulatory reforms could enable India to increase its gold production to as much as 20 tonnes annually. Finding gold deposits in Odisha is a step in the right direction toward accomplishing this goal.

The presence of gold reserves in Odisha is a significant development for India's mining industry, with the potential to increase domestic gold production and reduce the country's reliance on imports. With the government's efforts to improve mining infrastructure and regulatory reforms, India could become a significant player in the global gold market in the long term.