Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi emphasized today that Odisha plays a crucial role in India’s steel industry, producing a massive 55% of the country’s total iron ore output.
He was speaking at the Odisha State Roundtable session during the prestigious India Steel 2025 conference held in Mumbai.
Odisha: The Backbone of India’s Iron Ore Production
Majhi proudly shared that steel is considered the “Mother Industry” of Odisha. He highlighted that while India is the fourth-largest iron ore producer globally, Odisha stands tall as the leading iron ore producer within India.
“My own home district, Keonjhar, is one of the richest mineral belts. It alone contributes over half of Odisha’s iron ore production,” Majhi said.
Building a Business-Friendly Ecosystem
The Chief Minister explained that the Odisha government has taken strategic steps to create a vibrant industrial ecosystem, mentioning the success of the Utkarsh Odisha – Make in Odisha Conclave held in January 2025.
He assured that the state is fully committed to:
- Securing raw materials for industries (like iron ore, coal, and limestone)
- Providing land for new industries
- Strengthening connectivity through better roads, railways, and ports
- Ensuring the availability of basic utilities like electricity and water
These initiatives are specifically designed to meet the unique needs of industries, particularly in the steel and mining sectors.
Mineral Wealth and Auction Reforms
Highlighting Odisha’s resource advantage, Majhi said:
- Odisha contributes nearly 47% of the total value of all mineral production in India.
- Since the landmark amendment to the MMDR Act (Mines and Minerals Development and Regulation Act) in 2015, Odisha has successfully auctioned 44 major mineral blocks.
- The state is currently auctioning eight more major blocks with a combined resource estimate of 323 million tonnes.
- Plans are in place to auction an additional 22 mineral blocks by March 2026.
The Road Ahead: Odisha’s Bigger Role by 2030
Looking towards the future, Majhi said that by 2030-31, India’s iron ore demand will likely grow to 340 million tonnes.
Odisha alone is expected to supply about 240–245 million tonnes, thereby increasing its share from the current 58% to nearly 70%.
In simple terms, Odisha will continue to dominate iron ore production in India, becoming even more important for the country’s steel manufacturing dreams.
Coal, Chromite, and Other Resources
Odisha isn’t just rich in iron ore — it’s also a powerhouse in coal production:
- 16 coal mines are currently operational.
- Odisha contributes 24% of India’s total coal output.
- In FY 2024–25 alone, Odisha produced:
- 178 million tonnes of iron ore
- 3.18 million tonnes of chromite (used in stainless steel and metal alloys)
- 269 million tonnes of coal
Odisha: No.1 in Steel Production
The Chief Minister proudly stated that Odisha ranks first in India for both crude steel and stainless steel production.
- The state currently hosts 54 integrated steel plants with a combined installed capacity of about 41.21 million tonnes per year.
And Odisha isn’t stopping here.
Majhi announced that the state aims to produce over 130 million tonnes of steel annually by 2030.
For this ambitious goal, Odisha would need approximately 190 million tonnes of iron ore every year — and the government is confident it can meet this need.
Open Invitation to Investors
The Chief Minister invited major steel companies to set up new plants in Odisha, guaranteeing easy availability of minerals like iron ore, coal, and limestone to fuel their operations.
He assured them of complete support from the government in terms of resources, infrastructure, and policy ease.
Exploring Chemicals and Pharma Industries
Apart from the steel sector, Majhi also used his time at the India Steel 2025 conference to discuss new opportunities in the chemical and pharmaceutical sectors.
He held separate meetings with representatives from the Indian Chemical Council (ICC) and the Indian Drug Manufacturers’ Association (IDMA) to attract investments into these growing industries in Odisha.
