Supreme Court Dismissed OMDC's Plea Against Non-Renewal Of Its Mining Leases

New Delhi, June 4, 2025—The Orissa Minerals Development Company Ltd (OMDC) [BSE: 590086, NSE: ORISSAMINE] has confirmed that the Supreme Court of India has dismissed review petitions filed by the company and 3A Capitals Services Ltd, effectively upholding the Odisha state government’s judgment dated 17.05.2024 rejecting their key mining lease renewals.

What Did The Supreme Court Say

In its order dated May 21, 2025, the Supreme Court bench comprising Chief Justice B.R. Gavai and Justice Dipankar Datta stated it found “no justifiable reason to entertain the Review Petitions” and accordingly dismissed them. The court also disposed of all pending applications related to the matter.

The review petitions were filed in connection with Civil Appeal Nos. 6529–6530/2024, which challenged the Odisha government’s decision to deny renewal of the Kolha-Roida, Thakurani, and Dalki mining leases. This dismissal means the earlier May 17, 2024 judgment, i.e. the state government’s rejection, remains in force.

Case Background & The Decision’s Implications

The core dispute centred around OMDC’s applications to renew three critical iron ore and manganese leases in Odisha. The state’s mining department had declined to extend the leases, citing policy reasons, nudging the company to file review petitions with the Supreme Court. Upon review, the Supreme Court dismissed the appeals, stating no justifiable reasons to entertain them.

With the Supreme Court’s dismissal, OMDC’s legal avenues for lease renewal have now been conclusively exhausted. The Kolha-Roida lease rejection stands affirmed, along with the Thakurani and Dalki lease applications, which are now considered dismissed or rejected by the court.

Company Statement

In a regulatory filing, OMDC stated:

“The Supreme Court of India has disposed of the above two Review Petitions holding that there is no justifiable reason to entertain. This is for your kind information & record.”

— Pintu Kumar Biswal, Company Secretary, OMDC

Strategic Outlook

The rejection poses a significant setback to OMDC’s mining operations, which heavily relied on these leases. The company is expected to face reduced production capacity, increasing its dependence on alternative sourcing or strategic partnerships. Investors and stakeholders are expected to watch the organization’s next move closely, whether it seeks fresh allocations, diversifies operations, or restructures its mining strategy.

Note: OMDC is a Government of India enterprise engaged primarily in mining and production of iron ore and manganese ore, with historical leases in mineral-rich belts of Odisha.

REF: https://www.bseindia.com/xml-data/corpfiling/AttachLive/a94ffac4-a883-49ba-808b-d3b1790bdcd6.pdf

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