Export of minerals from Odisha has been declining for the last few years owing to high export duty and closure of several mines after complains of illegal mining

According to latest government data, Odisha exported 2.05 lakh tonnes of Chrome ore in the 2012-13 financial year which was 5.56 lakh tonnes in the previous financial year. Similarly the amount of export of iron ore in the 2012-13 financial year had dropped to 3.7 million tonnes from 10 million tonnes in the previous financial year.

In 2012-13 total production of iron ore in the state was 62.93 million tons which was 66.08 million tonnes in the 2011-12 financial years. Similarly, in 2012-13 total Chrome ore production in the state was 28.8 lakh tonnes, which was 37.9 lakh tonnes in the previous financial year. In 2012-13 the internal consumption of Chrome was 20 lakh tonnes.

However, while there was no Bauxite export in the year 2011-12, the export figure increased to 54 lakh tonnes in 2012-13 financial year. Odisha produced 54 lakh tonnes of Bauxite in 2012-13.

According to data, the export figure will be almost equal in the current financial year due to the high export duty on minerals. Both iron ore and Chrome ore attracts 30% export duty. But at the same time pellet exports from the country is expected to increase in this financial year, as there is no export duty on this commodity.