TNI Bureau: Australian diplomat and High Commissioner Peter N Varghese would meet Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and Chief Secretary B K Patnaik today during his three-day visit to the state after the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) rejected 17-year-old joint venture with Rio Tinto, the Australian company, terming the project as not being lucrative.

Varghese will be accompanied by Sam Walsh, Chief Executive Iron Ore and Australia Executive Director, Rio Tinto. The Australian mining major is looking forward to revive the Rs11, 000-crore pact, which was signed with the OMC  in 1995 for development of Gandhamardhan and Malangtoli iron ore reserves in Keonjhar and Sundergarh districts.