Indian Chrome Ore Production Increases by 29.5% in H1 FY16

Production of chrome ore and chrome concentrate in India has increased by almost 29.5% to 1.19 MnT in H1 FY16.

In H1 FY15, India produced 0.84 MnT of chrome ore and chrome concentrate. However, in H1 FY16, Indian production of chrome ore and concentrates is recorded at 1.19 MnT, with Odisha contributing to 100% of total production. The increase was mainly due to IMFA and Tata Steel chrome ore production. IMFA (Captive Consumption) produced 0.09 MnT in H1 FY15 which increased to 0.17 MnT in H1 FY16. Tata Steel (Captive consumption & Merchant Selling) produced 0.12 MnT in H1 FY15 which increased to 0.37 MnT in H1 FY16.

The lease validity for Tata Steel’s chromite mine in Sukhinda valley had lapsed and mining was stopped on 17 May’14. Mining operations resumed on 22 Jan’15 after receiving 3rd lease renewal from the Odisha government.

Tata Steel has finalized a conversion agreement with three companies namely Tirumala Balaji Pvt. Ltd., Aarti Steels Ltd. and Nava Bharat Ventures Ltd. for conversion of chrome ore into ferro chrome. These three plants together will be dedicated to produce 15,000 TPM ferro chrome for Tata Steel.

Odisha Chrome Ore Production Down by 4% in Sep’15

Chrome ore production in Odisha decreased by 4% and stood at 0.16 MnT in Sept’15. In Aug’15, chrome ore production was 0.167 MnT.

Captive miners in Sept, 15 have increased production by 34% M-o-M, mainly contributed by IMFA Ltd and Balasore Alloys Ltd. Whereas, merchant miners in Sept’15 have decreased production by 27% M-o-M.

Production in MT
Provisional data
Source: Government of Odisha