India: Mines Ministry Reviewed Odisha Iron Ore Production in Todays Meeting

Union Minister of Mines Shri Narendra Singh Tomar today met mining companies from Odisha to review the production of iron ore, subsequent to the closure of mines in Odisha.

The meeting was held today in New Delhi. The agenda was to discuss the fate of both working and non-working mines in the state in the aftermath of the Supreme Court mandated penalties. The ministry has invited both lessees who have made payments and those who have defaulted. The agenda of the meeting was to discuss the two issues: Raising iron ore production in Odisha and pricing of iron ore.

It was noted that some miners still have a headroom to increase production within their permissible Environment clearance and other limits. The Minister requested the miners to follow the Hon'ble Supreme Court orders on mining and endeavour to increase their production to the maximum possible within their permissible ceilings. Though the production in January is expected to be lower, the operating miners assured that they shall step up production so that steel industry remains fully supplied.

The Minister exhorted the miners to increase production and assured them that the Ministry will facilitate in enhancing production and miners were free to approach the Ministry with specific problems which they may encounter.

Source: Press Information Bureau