New Delhi: In 2014-15 till November, iron ore imports increased sharply to 5.63 million tonnes as against 0.37 million tonnes in previous financial year, as per the government.
In a reply to the Lok Sabha, Minister of State for Steel and Mines Vishnu Deo Sai said, “The import of iron ore has increased from 0.37 million tonnes (MT) in year 2013-14 to 5.63 MT in the year 2014-15 (April-November).” The minister further said there is no acute shortage of raw material like iron ore. However, there are regional shortages of iron ore due to Supreme Court’s decisions regarding lease renewal in Goa and Odisha and cancellation of mining leases in Karnataka.
The minister said, “Coking coal which is used in steel making is largely imported into India due to its non-availability.” Iron ore imports in 2012-13 were at 3.05 MT while in the previous 2011-12 year imports were 0.97 MT, the minister said. He further said that as per the report of the Working Group on Steel for the 12th Five Year Plan for 2016-17, the iron ore requirement is 206.2 MT for crude steel production capacity of 125.9 MT.
