In a major development, NMDC – India’s largest iron ore miner has got approval to enhance its iron ore production limit to 14 MnT by CEC (Central Empowered Committee) from previously allotted 9.45 MnT in Karnataka.
The letter issued by CEC reads NMDC Donimalai (ML no 2396) is approved to enhance its permissible annual production from 3.38 MnT pa to 7 MnT pa, based on EC limit.
Also, NMDC’s Kumaraswamy mine having ML no. 1111 has been approved to enhance its permissible annual production from previous 6.07 MnTpa to 7 MnT pa.
Thus after an increase, NMDC’s permissible annual production has increased to 14 MnT which was earlier at 9.45 MnT.
Earlier in the state, Apex Court order has increased cap for category A and B mines to 35 MnT. Also, reports suggest that the Court has imposed no cap on ‘C’ category iron ore mine blocks. The state govt. will ensure the sum total of annual production from all leases does not exceed 28 MnT in district Bellary and 7 MnT in districts – Chitradurga and Tumkur.
In FY17, NMDC produced 12 MnT iron ore from its mines in Karnataka and in FY’18 (till Feb’18) its production was recorded at 11.03 MnT.
Karnataka is India’s 3rd largest iron ore producing state after Odisha and Chhattisgarh witnessed a yearly increase in iron ore production by 4% in FY’17. Karnataka’s iron ore production increased to around 26 MnT as against 25 MnT in FY’16.
Leave a Reply