- Block hosts 51.47 mnt of inferred iron ore resources at 45% Fe cut-off
- Additional 11.91 mnt reconnaissance resources identified
Rungta Sons Private Limited has emerged as the preferred bidder for the Jaldihi-Tantigram Iron Ore and Aluminous Laterite Block in Odisha, quoting a final premium of 131.25% in the latest mineral block auction.
The aggressive bid underscores continued interest in securing iron ore resources in Odisha’s mineral-rich Bonai-Kendujhar belt, despite elevated auction premiums and prevailing volatility in the steel market.
High auction premiums do not determine the economics of an iron ore block in isolation. For integrated steel producers, ownership secures long-term ore supply, reduces dependence on spot procurement, simplifies compliance across the supply chain and enables investment in dedicated logistics such as slurry pipelines. Those structural advantages can outweigh the upfront premium by lowering procurement risk and transport costs over the life of the mine.
The Jaldihi-Tantigram block is located in Koida tehsil of Sundergarh district, Odisha, and spans 177.31 hectares (1.77 sq km), including around 109 hectares of mineralised area. The block covers the villages of Jaldihi and Tantigram and is located within the Bonai-Kendujhar iron ore belt.
As per Geological Survey of India (GSI) exploration data, the block has 51.47 million tonnes (mnt) of inferred iron ore resources at a 45% Fe cut-off, averaging 54.21% Fe. Of this, around 25.68 mnt comprises iron ore grading above 55% Fe, with an average Fe content of 58.99%, while another 25.79 mnt falls in the 45-55% Fe category, averaging 49.45% Fe.
The block also has 11.91 mnt of reconnaissance-category iron ore resources at a 45% Fe cut-off. This includes 1.51 mnt of iron ore grading above 55% Fe and 10.40 mnt in the 45-55% Fe range.
In addition, the block contains around 105,881 tonnes (0.11 mnt) of aluminous laterite with an average grade of 23.59% Al₂O₃, 40.69% SiO₂ and 13.57% Fe.
The block has a G3 exploration status, with eight boreholes drilled over a cumulative 435.95 metres. The mineralised zone has a strike length of around 1,900 metres, with the width varying between 380 and 730 metres. High-grade iron ore zone thickness ranges from 4 to 45 metres, while the low-grade zone varies from 5 to 31.4 metres.
The block is located around 45 km from Barsuan railway head and 16 km from NH-215, providing connectivity to the surrounding mining and steel-producing region.
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