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By Sanjay Jena
Mineral-rich Orissa has also become a hot destination for companies exploring gold worldwide. Steel and Mines Minister in the state government Mr. Padmanava Behera said that the state had received as many as 14 applications for issuance of prospecting license for gold deposits.
The Minister said, ?About 14 applications are pending with the government for exploration and exploitation of gold deposits in Keonjhar and Mayurbhanj districts of Orissa,?
The exploration undertaken by the state geology directorate has indicated presence of gold in around 20 places in the five districts of Keonjhar, Mayurbhanj, Sundergarh, Malkangiri and Angul.
While there was an indication of gold deposits in Saleikana, Dimirimunda, Karadangi and Kalima areas in Telkoi block and Gajipur, Gopur, Singipur and Kushkala areas under Banspal block in Keonjhar district, such deposits have also been traced in Surada-Jasipur, Suriaguda, Dhusura hill and Badampahad-Gourmahisani belt in the neighbouring Mayurbhanj district, mines department sources pointed out.
Preliminary exploration has suggested presence of gold deposits in Digajharan, Maladihi and Ghoger area under Sundgergarh district and Kayang, Khatiguda, Dasmantpur and Gobindpalli area under Malkangiri district. Besides, deposits have also been found in the valley of Tikira and its ranges in Angul district.
