Draft:Bhanja

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Bhanja Minerals Private Limited is an Indian private limited company founded in 1956 by the founders of Bhanja Dynasty. It is actively involved in mining, quarrying, metallurgy, ore testing and operates in 5 continents.

The company is a full time member of International Miners Association and is a Schedule-B company.

History

=== '''Early Mining Activities (Pre-1947)''' ===

Traditional Mining:

Before colonial intervention, local communities engaged in small-scale extraction of minerals like iron and manganese using rudimentary tools. These activities primarily served local needs, including tool-making and ornament crafting.

Colonial Period Development:

The British administration began to systematically explore and exploit mineral resources in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Initial mining was concentrated in the iron ore belts of Keonjhar, Sundargarh, and Mayurbhanj, and manganese in the Joda and Barbil regions.

Infrastructure Limitations:

Lack of rail connectivity and industrial infrastructure limited large-scale exploitation.

Mining was primarily controlled by private British and Indian firms with limited regulation or consideration for local development.

Post-Independence Mining Growth (1947–1970)

Increased Exploration and Exploitation:

After 1947, the Indian government began to recognize the strategic importance of Orissa’s minerals for national industrial growth, especially for steel production.

Government agencies like the Geological Survey of India (GSI) and Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) ramped up exploration efforts.

Establishment of Public Sector Enterprises:

The 1950s and 60s saw the establishment of companies like National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) and the initiation of state-run mining activities.

Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) was established in 1956 to undertake mining activities on behalf of the state.

However, non of these could overcome the mining challenges faced in the State.

=== '''Bhanja Minerals and it's role in mining''' ===

In 1956, it was then decided by his highness the King of Keonjhargarh to form a mining entity to overcome these challenges and ensure a smooth mining operation.

By early 70s the company had well established itself in that region with mining of manganese, limestone and iron ore.

Achievements

It is a Category II company since June 2019 and ISO 9001 certified since March 1998 and ISO 27001 since 2021 certification for its information security management.

In 1965, Bhanja Minerals & Metals started it's first indigenous testing lab in India and till date has successfully tested and assisted several entities globally for mineral testing.

In 1978, Bhanja Minerals & Metals was originally conceived and proposed by a joint study group with Polish and Australian experts as a comprehensive planning set-up under one roof for entire Indian mining industry, which was then operating on a rudimentary planning system. This was also the time when Indian mining-industry was being nationalized to enable it to support the high growth of energy sector required for speedy industrial growth of the country in the coming years.

In December 1981, we setup first Manganese open pit at India.

In January 1994, Bhanja Minerals & Metals started functioning with Ministry of Mines, India and Ministry of mines, Australia as joint venture.

On 1st November 2001, Bhanja Minerals & Metals became one of the few entities in the world with 93 running mines as open pit.

23 August 2012, Bhanja Minerals & Metals signed 13 PPP projects with various African countries, becoming indigenous of its kind.

On 4th July 2022, Bhanja Minerals & Metals joined as a permanent member of World Health Organization for the direct facilities of mine workers in Africa.

On 18th December 2024, Bhanja Minerals & Metals entered the elite club of first few mining companies in the world to have 500 plus running mines globally.