Orissa has one of the leading chrome reserves in the country with total recoverable reserves of around 83.6 million tonne. According to the Indian Bureau of Mines, 16 chrome ore mines in the state had reported production in 2000-01.
In order to boost chrome mining, the government has granted mining lease to major companies, 10 of which are in the private sector, an official statement said.
The private firms are B C Mohanty & Sons (P) Ltd, Ferro Alloys Corporation Ltd, Indian Charge Chrome Ltd, Indian Metals & Ferro Alloys Ltd, Misrilal Mines (P) Ltd and Tata Iron & Steel Company Ltd.