The country is
likely to import around 15 million tonnes (MT) of iron ore this financial year,
following the virtual halt of mining operations in different parts of the
country, a top industry official said today.
“If the current trend (of scarcity) continues, then we may import around
15 MT iron ore in the current financial year,” Federation of Indian
Mineral Industries (Fimi) Vice-President Basant Poddar told PTI.
As per industry experts, the country has imported around 9 MT iron ore during
the April-October period. Major iron ore producing states like Goa, Karnataka
and Odisha among others have witnessed halting of mining after the Supreme
Court crackdown on illegal mining.
As a consequence, many steel firms are facing scarcity of iron ore and are
being forced to imports to meet the shortfall in raw material. Poddar also said
things are not likely to change in the near future on the production front.
Referring to upcoming SC-appointed Central Empowered Committee report on Goa,
Poddar said recommendation are likely to be the same for Goa as it has done for
Karnataka. The mining operations have been completely stopped in Goa for the
past few months after the Supreme Court order. Earlier, mines in Karnataka have
been divided into categories like A, B, C and the SC has allowed mining in the
category A mines with no irregularities.
Source: PTI
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