Rejection of environment clearance to Vedanta's mining project has brought in to focus the high quality bauxite deposits in Orissa, considered to have the fourth largest bauxite reserve in the world.
The total reserves of bauxite in the mineral-rich state are estimated at 1,530 million tonnes, spread over different sectors, industry sources said.
According to conservative estimates, about 20 million tonnes of bauxites are distributed in Keonjhar, Sundergarh and Phulbani districts, they said.
The remaining reserves are under the thick blanket below the thin capping of soil and laterite in Bolangir, Bargarh, Kalahandi, Rayagada and Koraput districts.
There are altogether six leases, four in Keonjhar and Sundergarh producing annually 17,000 tonnes and used in iron and steel making, official sources said.
The other two leases owned by public sector Aluminium behemoth NALCO in the Panchpatmali deposit of Koraput district produce 2.4 million tonnes.
The state has decided in principle to lease out the bauxite mines to the prospective entrepreneurs through Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) with the condition that they will set up alumina and aluminium industries in the state.
