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Several major industrial groups, including Adani, Reliance Industries, Hindalco, Vedanta Aluminium, Powercem, and Coal India, are competing to acquire the Karlapat Bauxite Block in Odisha, one of India's largest untapped bauxite deposits.

About Karlapat Bauxite Block

• The Karlapat Bauxite Block is a greenfield bauxite mining block located in Kalahandi district, Odisha. Being a greenfield project, it has not been commercially mined earlier, making it one of the country's most significant untapped mineral assets.
• The block contains an estimated 207 million tonnes of bauxite resources, including 153 million tonnes of proved reserves and 54 million tonnes of possible reserves.
• Spread across a 9.6 sq. km plateau, the deposit has an average ore thickness of around 12 metres. It contains high-grade bauxite with an average alumina content of about 45.2% and low silica content, making it suitable for efficient aluminium production.

Bauxite Deposits in Odisha

• Odisha is India's largest bauxite-bearing state, accounting for approximately 2,057 million tonnes, or nearly 41% of the country's total bauxite resources.
• Major bauxite-bearing districts include: Balangir, Kalahandi, Kandhamal, Kendujhar, Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada, and Sundargarh
• India's major bauxite reserves are concentrated in the East Coast Bauxite Belt, covering Odisha and Andhra Pradesh.

Why is Bauxite Important?

Bauxite is the principal commercial ore of aluminium and the only economically viable source for its large-scale production.

Aluminium is the second most widely used industrial metal after silica-based materials due to its lightweight nature, corrosion resistance, and recyclability. It is extensively used in:

• Transportation and automobiles
• Construction and infrastructure
• Power transmission
• Aerospace and defence
• Electrical equipment
• Packaging and manufacturing industries

Securing domestic bauxite resources is therefore crucial for strengthening India's aluminium industry, reducing import dependence, and supporting industrial growth.