India: Odisha Merchant Iron Ore Dispatches Fall Sharply in Apr'20 Due to Lock Down

Odisha- India's largest iron ore producing state recorded total merchant iron ore dispatches at 1.31 MnT in Apr'20, down 79% as against 6.34 MnT in Mar'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. Also with mills holding enough iron ore inventories in hand, remained away from making bulk bookings.

--Sarda Mines recorded the largest dispatches for the month at 0.33 MnT, down 47% M-o-M against 0.62 MnT in Mar'20. The Supreme Court as on 30th Jan 2020 allowed Sarda mines to resume operations. Apex court allowed on 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.

--Rungta Mines, India's largest private merchant miner, recorded iron ore dispatches at 0.25 MnT in Apr'20, down 84% as against 1.61 MnT in Mar'20. Kaypee Enterprises recorded dispatches at 0.18 MnT , down 43% M-o-M.

--Serajuddin mine recorded iron ore dispatches at 0.12 MnT in Apr'20, drop of 82% as against 0.65 MnT in Mar'20.

--OMC, state-owned miner, recorded 94% fall in dispatches to 0.06 MnT for Apr'20 as against 0.93 MnT in Mar'19.

Odisha Iron ore Dispatches in Apr'20 & Mar'19

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