India: Odisha iron ore dispatches fell 64% in Q1 FY21

Odisha- India's largest iron ore producing state recorded total merchant iron ore dispatches at 7.96 mn t in Q1 FY'21, down 64% as against 22.16 mn t in Q4 FY'20. The figures exclude movement for export and dispatches of miners- SAIL & Tata Steel. The dispatches fell amid logistic issues and mills curtailing output due to COVID 19.

In month of April'20 dispatches fell amid logistic issues and mills curtailing output due to nationwide lockdown for COVID 19 pandemic curtailment. Also, mills were holding enough iron ore inventories in hand, remained away from making bulk bookings. Later, dispatches picked up with easing of lock down measures.

However, Odisha iron ore dispatches for the month of June'20 recorded at 4.20 mn t, up 71% as against 2.46 mn t in May'20.

--Rungta Mines, India's largest private merchant miner recorded the highest dispatches of iron ore at 1.60 mn t in Q1 FY'21, down 74% as against 6.12 mn t in Q4 FY'20.

--OMC, state-owned miner, recorded a significant fall in dispatches to 1.25 mn t for Q1FY'21 as against 3.11 mn t in the last quarter.

--Sarda Mines dispatches for the first quarter FY '21 stood at 0.78 mn t, up 17% q-o-q against 0.67 mn t in Q4 FY'20. The Supreme Court as on 30th Jan 2020 allowed Sarda mines to resume operations. Apex court allowed the condition to pay dues towards environmental compensation to the Odisha Govt. by 29 Feb'20. The Honorable court also made it clear that JSPL can transport iron ore lying at Sarda mines.

--- On quarterly basis Kaypee Enterprises dispatches recorded at 0.61 mn t (down 37%), followed by RP Sao at 0.52 mn t (down 67%) and Serajuddin at 0.51 mn t (down 83%).

Odisha Iron ore Dispatches in Q1 FY'21 & Q4 FY'20

Quantity in mn t
Excluding movement for export & movement of SAIL and Tata Steel
Provisional Data
Source: Govt. of Odisha