- Block auctioned at a premium of over 220%
- Iron ore resources assessed at 6.80 mnt
C P Arora Private Limited has emerged as the preferred bidder for Odisha’s Patamunda-B Manganese and Iron Ore Block, quoting a premium of 220.60%. The block, located in Koira tehsil of Sundargarh district, has a combined geological resource of 13.65 mnt and could strengthen the company’s raw-material security and backward integration.
Resource profile
The block contains 6.85 mnt of indicated manganese resources at an average grade of 13.29% Mn, based on a 10% cut-off. Around 6.70 mnt is in the 10-25% Mn category, 0.14 mnt in 25-35% Mn and 0.01 mnt in 35-45% Mn.
It also has 6.80 mnt of indicated iron ore resources averaging 47.94% Fe, based on a 35% cut-off. This includes 1.14 mnt above 55% Fe, 3.58 mnt at 45-55% Fe and 2.08 mnt at 35-45% Fe.
Geological details
The block covers 156.17 hectares as per DGPS measurements, with around 107 hectares mineralised. Exploration is at the G2 stage, with 26 boreholes covering 1,407.65 metres drilled during 2020-22, in addition to 11 earlier boreholes covering 582.50 metres.
Manganese mineralisation thickness ranges from 4.30 metres to 45.70 metres, while iron mineralisation thickness ranges from 22.60 metres to 34.40 metres.
Development outlook
The block has significant forest-land exposure, with around 120.68 hectares identified as forest land. Key approvals, including forest, wildlife and environmental clearances, along with mine-opening, groundwater and other statutory permissions, remain to be obtained.
The predominance of lower-grade manganese resources makes beneficiation and recovery important to the project’s economics. The 220.60% premium highlights the strategic value of securing the resource, while the eventual commercial benefit will depend on approvals, mine development, processing requirements and recoverable reserves.
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