Bhubaneswar: The All Odisha Steel Federation representing 100 plus Sponge iron and Steel units in the state has demanded that Iron ore fines of size 0-10 mm to be allowed for consumption in the sponge iron plants.
The federation President P.L.Kandoi has made this demand during his meeting with the State Steel and Mines Minister Rajanikant Singh.
“0-10 mm Iron Ore fines should be allowed to Sponge Iron Units also. The Iron Ore Fines as a category is in size between 0 – 10 mm and it is being allowed for export, for billet plants and for sintering plants. The Iron Ore fines are being sold at one price to all traders and royalty is collected as per rules. The royalty does not have any link with end uses of mineral. It is understood that some of the DDM's have apprehended that this Iron Ore fines when sold to Sponge Iron units is not correct and they have recommend that +5 mm should be given to Sponge Iron units. There is no such category under IBM rules and none of the lessee is ready with stocks from +5 mm size. However, government should review this decision and necessary guide line should be issued“ Mr.Kandoi said.
It may be noted the Sponge iron industry in the state is reeling under severe raw material crisis and majority of them have decided to close down production.
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