IRON ORE

Indian Minerals
Yearbook 2018
(Part- III : MINERAL REVIEWS)

57th Edition

IRON ORE

(ADVANCE RELEASE)

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
INDIAN BUREAU OF MINES

Indira Bhavan, Civil Lines,

NAGPUR – 440 001

PHONE/FAX NO. (0712) 2565471

PBX: (0712) 2562649, 2560544, 2560648
E-MAIL: [email protected]
Website: www.ibm.gov.in

August, 2019

16-1
 IRON ORE

16 Iron Ore

I ron & steel is the driving force behind industrial

development in any country. The vitality of the
Iron & Steel Industry largely influences a country's
Karnataka (2,467 million tonnes or 11%) and Goa
(1,189 million tonnes or 5%). The balance 5%
resources of haematite are spread in Andhra Pradesh,
economic status. The mining of iron ore, an essential Assam, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra,
raw material for Iron & Steel Industry, is arguably of Meghalaya, Rajasthan, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh
prime importance among all mining activities (Table-1).
undertaken by any country. With the total resources Magnetite is another principal iron ore that also
of over 33.276 billion tonnes of haematite (Fe2O3) occurs in the form of oxide, either in igneous or
and magnetite (Fe3O4), India is amongst the leading metamorphosed banded magnetite-silica formation.
producers of iron ore in the world. As per NMI database based on UNFC system, the
total reserves/resources of magnetite as on 1.4.2015
RESERVES/RESOURCES
has been estimated at 10,789 million tonnes of which
Haematite and magnetite are the most 'Reserves' constitute a mere 53 million tonnes while
important iron ores in India. About 79% haematite 10,736 million tonnes are placed under 'Remaining
ore deposits are found in the Eastern Sector (Assam, Resources'. Classification on the basis of grades
Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha & Uttar shows 20% resources are of Metallurgical grade
Pradesh) while about 93% magnetite ore deposits while 80% resources belong to grades that are
occur in Southern Sector (Andhra Pradesh, Goa, categorised as Unclassified, Not-known and Coal
Karnataka, Kerala, & Tamil Nadu). Karnataka alone Washery. The resources of Others and Foundry
contributes 72% of magnetite deposit in India. Of grades constitute meagre proportions. India's 98%
these, haematite is considered to be superior magnetite reserves/resources are located in five
because of its higher grade. Indian deposits of States, namely, Karnataka (7,802 million tonnes or
haematite belong to the Precambrian Iron Ore Series 72% reserves) followed by Andhra Pradesh (1,392
and the ore is within banded iron ore formations million tonnes or 13%), Rajasthan (617 million tonnes
occurring as massive, laminated, friable and also in or 6%), Tamil Nadu (507 million tonnes or 5%) and
powdery form. Goa (226 million tonnes or 2%). Assam, Bihar,
As per NMI database based on UNFC system, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Kerala, Maharashtra,
the total reserves/resources of haematite as on Meghalaya, Nagaland, Odisha and Telangana
1.4.2015 have been estimated at 22,487 million tonnes together account for the remaining 2% resources
of which 5,422 million tonnes (24%) are under (Table-2).
'Reserves' category and the balance 17,065 million
tonnes (76%) are under 'Remaining Resources' EXPLORATION & DEVELOPMENT
category. By grades, Lumps constitute about 56% The Exploration & Development details, if any,
followed by Lumps with Fines (17%), Fines (16%), are covered in the Review "Exploration &
and the remaining 11% are Black Iron ore, Lump low Development " in Volume-I of Indian Minerals
& medium grade, Beneficiable grade, Others, Yearbook titled "General Reviews".
Unclassified, Not-known and Lump & fines & blue
dust unclassified grade. Major reserves/resources PRODUCTION & STOCKS
of haematite are located in Odisha (7,559 million The production of iron ore constituting lumps,
tonnes or 34%), Jharkhand (5,286 million tonnes or fines and concentrates was at 200.95 million tonnes
23%), Chhattisgarh (4,858 million tonnes or 22%), in the year 2017-18, showing an increase of about

16-2
 IRON ORE

3% as compared to that in the preceding year. There Gradewise analysis of the current year’s output
were 294 reporting mines in 2017-18 as against 318 in reveals that out of total output of 200.95 million
the previous year. Among them, 35 mines were in the tonnes, iron ore lumps constituted 64.99 million tonnes
Public Sector and 259 in Private Sector. Besides, (i.e., about 32.34%), fines constituted 135.62 million
production of iron ore was reported as associated tonnes (i.e., about 67.49%) and concentrates
mineral by 9 mines in 2017-18 as against 12 mines in constituted 0.35 million tonnes (i.e., about 0.17%).
2016-17. The contribution of Public Sector to the Among the States, Odisha recorded the highest
total production was about 35% as against about production of 102.17 million tonnes, i.e., about
36% in the preceding year. The remaining 65% of 50.84% of the country’s total production in 2017-18.
the production in 2017-18 was from Private Sector. Chhattisgarh was at the second place with a
Among 35 iron ore mines in Public Sector, 18 iron ore production of 34.54 million tonnes, i.e., about
mines each producing more than one million tonnes 17% of the total production followed by Karnataka
annually accounted for about 96.28% of the total
with a production of 28.72 million tonnes, i.e., about
output in Public Sector during 2017-18. Out of 259 iron
14.29% and Jharkhand with 21.84 million tonnes,
ore mines and 9 associated mines in Private Sector, 28
i.e., about 10.87% of the country’s production.
iron ore mines each producing more than one million
The remaining 13.66 million tonnes, i.e., 7% production
tonnes annually accounted for about 79.21% of the
was reported from Andhra Pradesh, Goa, Madhya
total output of Private Sector during the year. Thus, 46
Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and Telangana.
iron ore mines, each producing more than one million
tonnes of iron ore annually, contributed about 85.27% The mine-head closing stock of iron ore for the
of the total output in 2017-18. The captive mines year 2017-18 was 151.47 million tonnes as compared
reported production of 60.40 million tonnes comprising to 148.71 million tonnes in 2016-17.
about 30% of total production and non-captive mines The average daily employment of labour was
reported production of 140.55 million tonnes, i.e., about 44,949 during 2017-18 as against 45,383 in the
70% during 2017-18. preceding year.

16-3
 Table – 1 : Reserves/Resources of Iron Ore (Haematite) as on 1.4.2015
(By Grades/States)
(In '000 tonnes)

Reserves Remaining Resources

Grade/State Proved Probable Total Feasibility Pre-feasibility Measured Indicated Inferred Reconnaissance Total Total
STD111 (A) STD211 STD331 STD332 STD333 STD334 (B) Resources
STD121 STD122 STD221 STD222 (A+B)

All India : Total 4053032 449917 918801 5421751 3444103 1573822 1496674 1762741 1798557 4498142 2491176 17065214 22486965
By Grades
Lump, high grade 1207974 2751 213649 1424375 458544 40887 144840 198115 37065 195774 74865 1150092 2574466
Lump, medium grade 1021112 94231 325808 1441151 1726230 737324 645733 912442 997496 1141891 6039 6167154 7608306
Lump, low grade 122710 50314 89654 262679 195265 78584 132621 39796 127858 925985 225687 1725796 1988474
Lump, unclassified grade 204 28 16 248 56654 - 8791 16969 34488 152248 22800 291951 292200
Fines, high grade 271459 - 79169 350628 18995 1889 4849 146969 11174 25567 4890 214334 564962
Fines, medium grade 120083 62207 6571 188862 50161 265570 49801 337543 286918 494180 932 1485104 1673967

16-4
Fines, low grade 237700 31006 41557 310263 196422 119619 120401 11163 94702 401756 6094 950157 1260420
IRON ORE

Fines, unclassified grade 389 - 593 982 343 669 130 8624 12908 118978 15200 156851 157833
Lumps & fines high grade 195566 12720 - 208286 84292 94614 67894 9748 8561 61307 112375 438791 647077
Lump & fines medium grade 440515 73933 84121 598568 134534 56987 101242 994 15969 201152 241259 752136 1350705
Lump & fines low grade 166999 5718 37294 210012 270249 73244 87740 27296 64404 431242 160391 1114567 1324579
Lumps & fines unclassified 123828 94850 26131 244809 73134 10373 21754 44082 100360 100693 4088 354485 599293
Black iron ore - - - - 7017 3014 1355 - 1059 6661 - 19106 19106
Lump low & medium grade 9529 5259 - 14788 - 13865 - - - - - 13865 28653
Beneficiable grade 31307 11183 714 43204 115078 44183 88181 1538 1003 64982 63708 378673 421877
Others 28413 - 2521 30934 19712 60 10861 708 1432 5197 745 38715 69649
Unclassified 60225 3356 8750 72331 36845 10699 8263 4746 3006 12094 27252 102905 175236
Not-known 2673 614 1148 4434 629 20000 1659 - 151 158432 1524850 1705721 1710155
Lump & fines & blue
dust unclassified grade 12345 1746 1106 15197 - 2241 560 2009 - - - 4810 20007

(contd.)
 (Table-1 concld.)
(In '000 tonnes)

Reserves Remaining Resources

Grade/State Proved Probable Total Feasibility Pre-feasibility Measured Indicated Inferred Reconnaissance Total Total
STD111 (A) STD211 STD331 STD332 STD333 STD334 (B) Resources
STD121 STD122 STD221 STD222 (A+B)

By States
Andhra Pradesh 17664 273 11832 29768 40595 49589 68425 377 4666 147628 13 311293 341062
Assam - - - - - - - - 8600 4000 - 12600 12600
Bihar - - - - - - - - - 55 - 55 55
Chhattisgarh 1067636 78071 241730 1387437 255074 61735 47394 921139 613433 801086 770827 3470687 4858124
Goa 297271 34709 26259 358239 301806 214187 134955 15286 11535 141558 11747 831075 1189313
Jharkhand 365111 29238 45022 439372 1081242 458866 457724 207324 597413 673009 1371468 4847045 5286417
Karnataka 416684 46169 87394 550247 518155 48231 211632 248299 44094 669239 176956 1916607 2466854
Madhya Pradesh 44203 3635 14225 62063 48412 3650 36774 23243 9008 146803 10 267900 329963
Maharashtra 11283 3032 2926 17241 9028 6673 8858 75724 71806 72588 32185 276862 294103

16-5
Meghalaya - - - - - - - - - 225 - 225 225
IRON ORE

Odisha 1830569 252615 489034 2572217 1180055 704302 530440 271349 426493 1773077 100730 4986447 7558664
Rajasthan 2103 2175 380 4658 8764 6105 471 - 11510 6897 - 33745 38404
Telangana 509 - - 509 973 483 - - - 23977 27240 52673 53181
Uttar Pradesh - - - - - 20000 - - - 38000 - 58000 58000

Figures rounded off.

 Table – 2 : Reserves/Resources of Iron Ore (Magnetite) as on 1.4.2015
(By Grades/States)
(In '000 tonnes)

Reserves Remaining Resources

Grade/State Proved Probable Total Feasibility Pre-feasibility Measured Indicated Inferred Reconnaissance Total Total
STD111 (A) STD211 STD331 STD332 STD333 STD334 (B) Resources
STD121 STD122 STD221 STD222 (A+B)

All India : Total 30352 2311 20037 52699 223388 15494 64091 1513195 1984566 6351286 584436 10736455 10789155

By Grades
Metallurgical 8355 - 3308 11663 165948 - 21530 690596 342792 964399 255 2185521 2197183
Coal washery 16782 - 15847 32629 265 675 11001 411 318 37512 15455 65636 98265
Foundry - - - - 330 125 - - - 381 - 836 836
Others 749 - 443 1192 3796 985 62 - - 1791 - 6633 7826
Unclassified 4099 2311 196 6606 52978 13709 31493 822188 1641456 5066948 568677 8197449 8204056
Not-known 366 - 243 609 71 - 6 - - 280254 48 280379 280989

By States

16-6
Andhra Pradesh - - - - 43105 - - 13800 1266666 68527 - 1392098 1392098
IRON ORE

Assam - - - - - - - - - 15380 - 15380 15380

Bihar - - - - - - - - - 2659 - 2659 2659
Chhattisgarh 8087 - 3096 11183 - - 42 - - - - 42 11225
Goa 4364 - 626 4990 59509 14516 33512 - - 151811 1997 261345 266336
Jharkhand - - - - - 518 1986 411 3948 3722 82 10667 10667
Karnataka 319 127 - 446 120022 - 18375 1498957 479372 5345018 340000 7801744 7802190
Kerala - - - - - - - - 59912 23523 - 83435 83435
Maharashtra 359 - 225 583 149 - 63 - - 90 - 302 885
Meghalaya - - - - - - - - - 3380 - 3380 3380
Nagaland - - - - - - - - 5280 - - 5280 5280
Odisha 74 - - 74 8 - - 27 - 43 - 79 152
Rajasthan 17148 2185 16090 35423 595 460 10113 - - 554904 15422 581493 616916
Tamil Nadu - - - - - - - - 169388 110728 226921 507037 507037

Telangana - - - - - - - - - 71500 14 71514 71514

Figures rounded off.

 IRON ORE

Table - 3 :Principal Producers of Iron ore

2017-18 Table - 3 : ( Concld.)

Location of mine Location of mine

Name & address of producer Name & address of producer
State District State District

Indrani Patnaik, Odisha Keonjhar

National Mineral Karnataka Ballari
A/6, Commercial Estate,
Development Corporation Ltd, Chhattisgarh Dantewada Civil Township,
10-3-311/A, Rourkela - 769 004
Khanij Bhavan, Castle Hills, Odisha.
Masab Tank, Hyderabad –500 028
Mysore Minerals Ltd, Karnataka Ballari
No. 39, M.G. Road,
Steel Authority of India Ltd, Jharkhand Singhbhum (West)
Bengaluru - 560 001,
Ispat Bhavan, Lodhi Road, Chhattisgarh Durg Karnataka.
New Delhi – 110 003. Odisha Keonjhar,
Sundargarh Kaypee Enterprises, Odisha Keonjhar
Near MMTC Weigh Bridge,
Tata Steel Ltd, Jharkhand Singhbhum (West) P.B. No.3, At/PO-Barbil-758 035,
Bombay House, Odisha Keonjhar Dist. Keonjhar, Odisha
24, Homi Mody Street,
Fort, Mumbai –400 001,
Jindal Steel & Power Ltd., Odisha Sundargarh
Maharashtra. O.P. Jindal Marg,
Delhi Road, Hissar-125 005
Rungta Mines (P) Ltd, Jharkhand Singhbhum (West) Haryana.
8 A Express Tower, Odisha Keonjhar
Aryan Mining & Trading Odisha Sundargarh
42 A-Shakespeare Sarani,
Corpn. (P) Ltd.,
Kolkata – 700 017,
61, Strand Street, Kolkata-700 006,
West Bengal. West Bengal.

Serajuddin & Co., Odisha Keonjhar Essel Mining & Industries Ltd, Odisha Sundargarh
P-16, Bentink Street, Industry House, 18th Floor,
10, Camac Street,
Kolkata-700 069,
Kolkata- 700 017
West Bengal.
West Bengal

Vedanta Ltd., Goa North Goa Khatau Narbheram & Co., Odisha Keonjhar
Sesa Ghor, EDC complex, South Goa N.V. Ram Complex,
Barbil-758 035, Dist. Keonjhar,
Patto, Panaji, Karnataka Chitradurga Odisha.
Tiswadi-403 001
Usha Martin Ltd, Jharkhand Singhbhum
Goa.
Mangal Kalash, (West)
2 A Shakespeare Sarani,
Rungta Sons (P) Ltd., Odisha Sundargarh Kolkata-700 071, West Bengal.
8 A Express tower,
42 A- Shakespeare Sarani, Bonai Industrial Co. Ltd. Odisha Sundargarh
Kolkata-700 017,West Bengal. Rungta Office, Main Road,
P.O. Barbil-758 035, Dist. Keonjhar,
Odisha.
Odisha Mining Corporation Ltd, Odisha Keonjhar
OMC House, Unit-5, P.B. No.34 Sundargarh
Mideast Integrated Steels Ltd, Odisha Keonjhar
Distt. Khurda,
Mesco Tower, H-1,
Bhubaneswar-751 001 Zamrudpur Community Centre,
Odisha. Kailash Colony,
New Delhi-110 048.
Kamaljeet Singh Ahluwalia, Odisha Keonjhar
Near MMTC Weigh Bridge
Freegrade & Co. (P) Ltd., Odisha Sundargarh
8 A,Express Tower,
P.B.No. 3, Barbil-758 035, 42 A- Shakespeare Sarani,
Distt. Keonjhar, Odisha. Kolkata- 700 017,
West Bengal
( Contd.)

16-7
 IRON ORE

Table – 4 : Production of Iron Ore*, 2015-16 to 2017-18

(By States)
(Quantity in '000 tonnes; Value in `'000}

2015-16 2016-17 2017-18 (P)

States
Quantity Value Quantity Value Quantity Value

India Total 158108 223206636 194584 252291800 200955 342628915

Lumps 54610 98878782 65325 102868610 64981 140739268
Fines 102407 122489117 128100 146288294 135621 # 201432592 #
Concentrates 1091 1838737 1159 3134896 353 # 457055 #

Andhra Pradesh Total 493 283258 485 264799 680 417688

Lumps 312 227859 302 204091 407 328172
Fines 181 55399 183 60708 273 89516

Chhattisgarh Total 26718 52780037 33285 60676299 34546 81490207

Lumps 10214 24169097 12094 24402985 12324 32116329
Fines 16504 28610940 21191 36273314 22222 49373878

Goa Total 1794 2132157 9170 11555369 8040 10965978

Lumps 260 377365 2044 2776889 1521 1922149
Fines 1534 1754792 7075 8712618 6450 8956976
Concentrates - - 51 65862 69 86853

Jharkhand Total 19198 16494215 21224 14623291 21848 17786135

Lumps 6154 6032530 5938 4646787 6081 5933166
Fines 13044 10461685 15286 9976504 15767 11852969

Karnataka Total 25036 34659850 26483 44516153 28724 70398115

Lumps 7990 14927975 8890 16622762 9441 25931317
Fines 17046 19731875 17593 27893391 19283 44466798

Madhya Pradesh Total 2447 1475651 1771 767339 2679 1265424

Lumps 268 174566 136 108922 360 203883
Fines 2179 1301085 1633 655590 2319 1061541
Concentrates - - 2 2827 - -

Maharashtra Total 1420 1500657 1321 1152442 940 1201680

Lumps 198 349230 231 370585 323 634493
Fines 1222 1151427 1090 781857 617 567187

Odisha Total 79856 112112226 99617 115628185 102177 155456128

Lumps 29103 52579559 35568 53693920 34398 73626122
Fines 50694 59421386 64049 61934265 67495 81459804
Concentrates 59 111281 - - 284 370202

Rajasthan Total 1146 1768585 1228 3107923 1317 3646154

Lumps 111 40601 122 41669 126 43639
Fines 3 528 ++ 47 1191 # 3602515 #
Concentrates 1032 1727456 1106 3066207 - -

Telangana Total - - - - 4 1406

Lumps - - - - - -
Fines - - - - 4 1406

* Excluding ROM
# under reference

16-8
IRON ORE

16-9
 Table –5 (A) : Production of Iron Ore, 2016-17
(By Sectors/States/Districts/Grades)
(Quantity in ’000 tonnes; Value in `’000)

Lumps Fines
Sector/ No. of
Concentrates Tot al
State/ mines Below 55%- 58%- 60%- 62%- 65% Total Below 55%- 58%- 60%- 62%- 65% To t a l
District 55% below below below below Fe & 55% below below below below Fe &
Fe 58% 60% 62% 65% above Qty Value Fe 58% 60% 62% 65% abvoe Qty Value Qty Value Qty Value
Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe
India 318(12) 2068 2058 4466 7939 32070 16724 65325 102868610 6030 15336 8510 17837 58703 21684 128100 146288294 1159 3134896 194584 252291800
Public Sector 36 4 160 176 2302 14916 8792 26350 44118829 10 969 2390 11035 20964 8641 44009 58936006 - - 70359 103054835
Private Sector 282(12) 2064 1898 4290 5637 17154 7932 38975 58749781 6020 14367 6120 6802 37739 13043 84091 87352288 1159 3134896 124225 149236965
Andhra Pradesh 22(1) 302 - - - - - 302 204091 183 - - - - - 183 60708 - - 485 264799
Anantapur 2 55 - - - - - 55 32824 - - - - - - - - - - 55 32824
Cuddapah 5 175 - - - - - 175 109284 139 - - - - - 139 43206 - - 314 152490
Krishna 2 - - - - - - - - ++ - - - - - ++ 22 - - ++ 22
Kurnool 11(1) 48 - - - - - 48 46047 44 - - - - - 44 17480 - - 92 63527
Nellore 1 24 - - - - - 24 15936 - - - - - - - - - - 24 15936
Prakasam 1* - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Chhattisgarh 17 181 95 16 765 3671 7366 12094 24402985 164 187 277 4336 8772 7455 21191 36273314 - - 33285 60676299

16-10
Dantewara 5 - - ++ 20 560 7001 7581 19295980 3 37 239 1022 7124 6360 14785 30827103 - - 22366 50123083
IRON ORE

Durg 5 - - - 528 3083 350 3961 4532890 - 12 - 3240 1447 425 5124 4379866 - - 9085 8912756
Kanker 4 41 68 12 131 28 15 295 377538 79 121 38 53 201 670 1162 980635 - - 1457 1358173
Narayanpur 1* - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rajnandgaon 2 140 27 4 86 - - 257 196577 82 17 - 21 ++ - 120 85710 - - 377 282287
Goa 82(1) 822 802 292 100 28 - 2044 2776889 2127 3669 845 333 101 - 7075 8712618 51 65862 9170 11555369
North Goa 38 584 373 229 96 28 - 1310 1696807 1062 2390 352 309 101 - 4214 5189094 - - 5524 6885901
South Goa 44(1) 238 429 63 4 - - 734 1080082 1065 1279 493 24 ++ - 2861 3523524 51 65862 3646 4669468
Jharkhand 21 21 35 1025 480 2446 1931 5938 4646787 6 1542 53 1958 5122 6605 15286 9976504 - - 21224 14623291
Singhbhum (West) 21 21 35 1025 480 2446 1931 5938 4646787 6 1542 53 1958 5122 6605 15286 9976504 - - 21224 14623291
Karnataka 63 309 496 609 2272 4883 321 8890 16622762 649 2549 3494 4561 6295 45 17593 27893391 - - 26483 44516153
Bagalkot 3* 139 19 - - - - 158 183503 299 - - - - - 299 294836 - - 457 478339
Ballari 50 161 345 592 1877 4768 321 8064 15550735 342 1370 2889 4402 5778 45 14826 24849458 - - 22890 40400193
Chitradurga 7 9 132 17 395 115 - 668 888524 8 1179 605 159 517 - 2468 2749097 - - 3136 3637621
Tumakuru 3* - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(Contd.)
 Table - 5 (A) : (Concld.)
Lumps Fines
Sector/ No. of
State/ mines Below 55%- 58%- 60%- 62%- 65% Total Below 55%- 58%- 60%- 62%- 65% To t a l Concentrates Total
District 55% below below below below Fe & 55% below below below below Fe &
Fe 58% 60% 62% 65% above Qty Value Fe 58% 60% 62% 65% abvoe Qty Value Qty Value Qty Value
Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe

Madhya Pradesh 17(8) 101 5 12 18 - - 136 108922 1629 - 4 - - - 1633 655590 2 2827 1771 767339
Chhatarpur 1* - 5 12 18 - - 35 68171 - - 4 - - - 4 6657 - - 39 74828
Gwalior 2 - - - - - - - - 17 - - - - - 17 5115 - - 17 5115
Jabalpur 13(8) 101 - - - - - 101 40751 1612 - - - - - 1612 643818 2 2827 1715 687396
Sagar 1* - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Maharashtra 16 51 34 87 45 14 - 231 370585 845 - 245 - - - 1090 781857 - - 1321 1152442
Chandrapur 2 - 21 - - - - 21 49243 25 - 11 - - - 36 42622 - - 57 91865
Gadchiroli 2 - ++ 87 4 14 - 105 177744 - - - - - - - - - - 105 177744
Gondia 3 7 - - - - - 7 13420 2 - - - - - 2 1085 - - 9 14505

16-11
Sindhudurg 8 44 13 - 41 - - 98 130178 818 - 234 - - - 1052 738150 - - 1150 868328
IRON ORE

Kolhapur 1 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Odisha 66(2) 159 591 2425 4259 21028 7106 35568 53693920 427 7389 3591 6649 38413 7580 64049 61934265 - - 99617 115628185
Keonjhar 37(1) 5 4 930 1461 15909 6942 25251 35869167 335 5037 959 3555 27591 7500 44977 44240944 - - 70228 80110111
Mayurbhanj 4 2 201 611 3 4 5 826 1368747 44 441 108 15 - 2 610 362747 - - 1436 1731494
Sundargarh 25(1) 152 386 884 2795 5115 159 9491 16456006 48 1911 2524 3079 10822 78 18462 17330574 - - 27953 33786580
Rajasthan 14 122 - - - - ++ 122 41669 ++ - - - - - ++ 47 1106 3066207 1228 3107923
Bhilwara 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - 1106 3066207 1106 3066207
Jaipur 5 75 - - - - ++ 75 23229 - - - - - - - - - - 75 23229
Jhunjhunu 5 4 - - - - - 4 4170 ++ - - - - - ++ 47 - - 4 4217
Sikar 2 43 - - - - - 43 14270 - - - - - - - - - - 43 14270

++: Negligible, *: Only labour reported,

 Table – 5 (B) : Production of Iron Ore, 2017-18 (P)
(By Sectors/States/Districts/Grades)
(Quantity in ’000 tonnes; Value in `’000)

Lumps Fines
Sector/ No. of
Concentrates Tot al
State/ mines Below 55%- 58%- 60%- 62%- 65% Total Below 55%- 58%- 60%- 62%- 65% To t a l
District 55% below below below below Fe & 55% below below below below Fe &
Fe 58% 60% 62% 65% above Qty Value Fe 58% 60% 62% 65% abvoe Qty Value Qty Value Qty Value
Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe
India 294(9) 2166 2535 4786 6766 32136 16592 64981 140739268 7127# 10807 10574 20621 64095 22397 135621# 201432592 # 353 # 457055 # 200955 342628915
Public Sector 35 25 206 383 2065 14995 8977 26651 61655054 123 924 3220 11191 20937 8333 44728 80923331 - - 71379 142578385
Private Sector 259(9) 2141 2329 4403 4701 17141 7615 38330 79084214 7004# 9883 7354 9430 43158 14064 90893# 120509261# 353 457055 129576 200050530
Andhra Pradesh 18 401 6 - - - - 407 328172 273 - - - - - 273 89516 - - 680 417688
Anantapur 2 9 - - - - - 9 5558 - - - - - - - - - - 9 5558
Cuddapah 2 224 6 - - - - 230 165032 200 - - - - - 200 56476 - - 430 221508
Krishna 1 - - - - - - - - ++ - - - - - ++ 148 - - ++ 148
Kurnool 11 160 - - - - - 160 150582 73 - - - - - 73 32892 - - 233 183474
Nellore 1 8 - - - - - 8 7000 - - - - - - - - - - 8 7000
Prakasam 1* - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

16-12
Chhattisgarh 17 310 145 34 752 2866 8217 12324 32116329 394 438 346 3527 8318 9199 22222 49373878 - - 34546 81490207
IRON ORE

Dantewara 6 - 2 3 8 353 7593 7959 27543004 11 59 244 951 7044 7636 15945 42826189 - - 23904 70369193
Durg 4 20 - - 404 2434 624 3482 3504096 25 10 - 2241 1209 596 4081 3991846 - - 7563 7495942
Kanker 4 53 83 28 229 71 - 464 663469 170 307 54 198 56 967 1752 2091545 - - 2216 2755014
Narayanpur 1* - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Rajnandgaon 2 237 60 3 111 8 - 419 405760 188 62 48 137 9 - 444 464298 - - 863 870058
Goa 85(1) 379 799 130 184 29 - 1521 1922149 1474 2545 1393 579 459 - 6450 8956976 69 86853 8040 10965978
North Goa 41 231 330 63 128 29 - 781 1033347 636 1366 533 304 420 - 3259 4642153 - - 4040 5675500
South Goa 44(1) 148 469 67 56 - - 740 888802 838 1179 860 275 39 - 3191 4314823 69 86853 4000 5290478
Jharkhand 19 25 304 1275 1185 2183 1109 6081 5933166 13 1501 1388 3475 4630 4760 15767 11852969 - - 21848 17786135
Singhbhum (West) 19 25 304 1275 1185 2183 1109 6081 5933166 13 1501 1388 3475 4630 4760 15767 11852969 - - 21848 17786135
Karnataka 53 291 725 683 1593 5555 594 9441 25931317 983 1901 4612 4017 7550 220 19283 44466798 - - 28724 70398115
Bagalkot 3 115 47 - - - - 162 247187 276 - - - - - 276 283357 - - 438 530544
Ballari 43 160 357 623 1164 5390 594 8288 23563215 299 1317 3102 3909 7427 220 16274 40251398 - - 24562 63814613
Chitradurga 6 16 321 60 429 165 - 991 2120915 408 584 1510 108 123 - 2733 3932043 - - 3724 6052958
Tumakuru 1* - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
(Contd)
 Table - 5 (B) : (Concld.)
Lumps Fines
Sector/ No. of
State/ mines Below 55%- 58%- 60%- 62%- 65% Total Below 55%- 58%- 60%- 62%- 65% To t a l Concentrates Total
District 55% below below below below Fe & 55% below below below below Fe &
Fe 58% 60% 62% 65% above Qty Value Fe 58% 60% 62% 65% abvoe Qty Value Qty Value Qty Value
Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe

Madhya Pradesh 15(5) 320 24 16 ++ - - 360 203883 2304 12 3 ++ - - 2319 1061541 - - 2679 1265424
Gwalior 1 - - - - - - - - 19 - - - - - 19 7580 - 19 7580
Jabalpur 12(5) 306 - - - - - 306 149746 2285 12 1 ++ - - 2298 1051341 - - 2604 1201087

Chhatarpur 1 7 24 16 ++ - - 47 48695 - - 2 - - - 2 2620 - - 49 51315

Sagar 1 7 - - - - - 7 5442 - - - - - - - - - - 7 5442
Maharashtra 15 71 54 175 23 - - 323 634493 293 238 86 - - - 617 567187 - - 940 1201680

Chandrapur 2 - 15 - - - - 15 27452 19 - 7 - - - 26 25216 - - 41 52668

Gadchiroli 2 - 1 175 1 - - 177 397248 - - - - - - - - - - 177 397248
Gondia 3 8 - - - - - 8 13505 3 - - - - - 3 2100 - - 11 15605

Kolhapur - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

16-13
Sindhudurg 8 63 38 - 22 - - 123 196288 271 238 79 - - - 588 539871 - - 711 736159
IRON ORE

Odisha 60(2) 244 478 2473 3029 21503 6671 34398 73626122 198 4172 2746 9023 43138 8218 67495 81459804 284 370202 102177 155456128

Keonjhar 35(1) 16 - 670 262 16479 6199 23626 46514311 49 2725 431 5460 30317 8070 47052 56854968 - - 70678 103369279
Mayurbhanj 2 16 38 737 5 40 80 916 2478243 27 113 215 1 - 2 358 245508 - - 1274 2723751
Sundargarh 23(1) 212 440 1066 2762 4984 392 9856 24633568 122 1334 2100 3562 12821 146 20085 24359328 284 370202 30225 49363098

Rajasthan 12 125 - - - - 1 126 43639 1191# - - - - - 1191# 3602515# - - 1317 3646154

Bhilwara 2 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Jaipur 5 76 - - - - 1 77 22211 - - - - - - - - - - 77 22211

Jhunjhunu 3 2 - - - - - 2 949 - - - - - - - - - - 2 949

Sikar 2 47 - - - - - 47 20479 1191# - - - - - 1191# 3602515# - - 1238 3622994
Telangana (1) - - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - 4 1406 - - 4 1406

Khammam - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Warangal (1) - - - - - - - - 4 - - - - - 4 1406 - - 4 1406

++: Negligible,*: Only labour reported, (p): Provisional,

#:Under Reference
 Table – 6 : Production @ of Iron Ore, 2016-17 and 2017-18
(By Frequency Groups)

Production Group No. of mines Production Percentage in total Cumulative

(In tonnes) (In ’000 tonnes) production percentage

2016-17 2017-18 ( P ) 2016-17 2017-18 ( P ) 2016-17 2017-18 ( P ) 2016-17 2017-18 (P)

Total 318(12) 249(9) 194584 200955 100.00 100.00 - -

Up to 50,000 195(10) 155(7) 938 836 0.48 0.42 0.48 0.42

50,001 - 100,000 18(1) 21 1405 1579 0.72 0.79 1.2 1.21

16-14
100,001 - 500,000 41(1) 54(2) 11281 14084 5.80 7.01 7 8.22
IRON ORE

5,00,001 - 10,00,000 18 18 13775 13089 7.08 6.51 14.08 14.73

1,000,001 -1,500,000 10 6 12615 7133 6.48 3.55 20.56 18.28

15,00,001 - 20,00,000 3 6 5222 10308 2.68 5.13 23.24 23.41

20,00,001 and above 33 34 149348 153926 76.75 76.60 99.99 100.01

@ Excluding ROM
 Table –7 (A) : Mine-head Closing Stocks of Iron Ore, 2016-17
(By States/Grades)
(In '000 tonnes)

Lumps Fines
Concentrates Total
Below 55%- 58%- 60%- 62%- 65% Total Below 55%- 58%- 60%- 62%- 65% Total Total Lumps,
State 55% below below below below Fe & 55% below below below below Fe & Fines
Fe 58% 60% 62% 65% above Fe 58% 60% 62% 65% above & Concen-
Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe trates

India 7552 2173 1857 1868 5616 2159 21225 27029 49417 5722 22736 19012 3545 127461 30 148716

Andhra Pradesh 650 - - - - - 650 540 - - - - - 540 - 1190

Chhattisgarh 5 15 6 14 28 234 302 276 142 46 314 1046 670 2494 - 2796

Goa 364 209 75 3 1 - 652 591 711 144 95 - - 1541 17 2210

Jharkhand 417 512 128 59 231 271 1618 1783 35307 51 157 1512 483 39293 - 40911

Karnataka 4073 477 382 566 760 92 6350 1408 372 473 773 963 44 4033 - 10383

Madhya Pradesh 689 178 17 18 - - 902 2818 450 58 - - - 3326 ++ 4228

16-15
IRON ORE

Maharashtra 87 5 ++ 1 ++ - 93 427 ++ ++ - - - 427 - 520

Odisha 1201 777 1249 1207 4596 1561 10591 19172 12435 4950 21397 15491 2348 75793 - 86384

Rajasthan 66 - - - - 1 67 14 - - - - - 14 13 94

Telangana ++ ++ - - - - ++ - - - - - - - - -

++ Negligible
 Table – 7 (B) : Mine-head Closing Stocks of Iron Ore, 2017-18 (P)
(By States/Grades)
(In '000 tonnes)

Lumps Fines
Total
Below 55%- 58%- 60%- 62%- 65%- Total Below 55%- 58%- 60%- 62%- 65% Total Lumps,
State 55% below below below below Fe & 55% below below below below Fe & Concentrates Fines
Fe 58% 60% 62% 65% above Fe 58% 60% 62% 65% above Total & Concen-
Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe Fe trates

India 7726 2030 1809 1780 6192 2782 22319 24766* 53123 6402 24251 16453 3949 128944 # 205 151468

Andhra Pradesh 661 14 - ++ - - 675 684 - - 1 - - 685 - 1360

Chhattisgarh 9 4 3 2 462 1201 1681 341 122 4 385 394 1293 2539 - 4220

Goa 523 299 112 ++ 1 - 935 1011 647 80 21 99 - 1858 21 2814

Jharkhand 370 662 169 267 221 131 1820 1565 36101 382 750 1344 439 40581 - 42401

Karnataka 3841 336 347 465 846 75 5910 1435 407 688 612 1483 28 4653 - 10563

Madhya Pradesh 927 32 17 17 - - 993 2941 - 4 - - - 2945 ++ 3938

16-16
IRON ORE

Maharashtra 124 20 ++ 5 ++ - 149 502 47 5 - - - 554 - 703

Odisha 1172 663 1161 1024 4662 1374 10056 16211 15799 5239 22482 13133 2189 75053 184 85293

Rajasthan 99 - - - - 1 100 76 # - - - - - 76 # - 176

Telangana ++ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - ++

++ Negligible # under reference

 IRON ORE

MINING, MARKETING & In some Goa mines, where ore is predominantly

in powdery form, hydraulic shovels with boom
TRANSPORT height of 9 m are used for excavation and loading.
Iron ore mining is carried out by opencast Heavy-duty Ripper-Dozers are preferred for mining
method by manual, semi-mechanised and as the ores are soft. Height of the benches is
mechanised operations. restricted to 7 m for safe and efficient operations.
Width of working benches is maintained at more
The method of mining and deployment of
than 15 m and bench slope is maintained at about
machinery vary from place to place depending
80 o . The ore produced is transported to short
upon characteristics of iron ore as per geological
distances by dumpers up to 40 tonnes capacity.
set up. Large mechanised mines are mostly in the
For longer distances and barge loading, dumpers/
Public Sector. Manual and semi-mechanised mines
trucks up to 10 tonnes capacity are used. The
are mainly in Private Sector. Some mechanised
barges carry the ore to harbours. The ore from the
mines in Goa, Jharkhand and Odisha are also barges is loaded on to ships either through berth
operated by the Private Sector. or through transshippers.
Manual Mines Almost all the Public Sector mines including
Generally, these mines are confined to float Kiriburu, Barsua, Gua, Bailadila, Donimalai, Daitari
ores where mining is done by digging the ore and Dalli-Rajhara operated by SAIL, NMDC and
OMC are fully mechanised. Kudremukh iron ore
with pick axes, crow bars, chisels and spades.
mine of KIOCL closed since December 2005 was
The mined material is screened manually to separate
also mechanised. In Private Sector, mines operated
+10 mm float ore which is then stacked separately.
in Goa region and Tata Steel's captive mines are
The waste is backfilled into the pits. In some reef
m e c h a n i s e d . Approximately, 9 0 % i r o n o r e
workings, 35-40 mm diameter holes are drilled to
production comes from mechanised mines. NMDC
0.6 m depth by hand-held jackhammers at a spacing
operates a couple of large mechanised iron ore
of about 0.6 m and each hole is charged with
mines in the country at Bailadila (Chhattisgarh)
150-200 g gunpowder or special gelatine cartridges. and Donimalai (Karnataka). The Company has
Blasted tonnage per kg gunpowder is usually three highly-mechanised iron ore mine complexes.
2.5-3 tonnes. Blasted ore is manually loaded into Two are located in Chhattisgarh and one in
trucks for transport to either railway sidings or to Karnataka. In the year 2017-18, the Company has
buyer's destination directly. Output per man shift achieved success in terms of completion of
(OMS) is normally between 1.5 and 2 tonnes. Kumaraswamy Iron Ore Project and Pellet Plant in
Mechanised Mines Donimalai Complex. Both these projects that were
commissioned and Performance Guarantee (PG)
Most of the mechanised mines are captive
tests completed are in operation now.
belongings of different steel plants and have been
developed to cater to specific requirements. Mining The processing of iron ore in the country
is done by formation of systematic benches in involves crushing, screening, washing and in
overburden and ore. The height of the benches some cases beneficiation and agglomeration.
normally varies from 10 to 12 m and width up to 20 Crushing and screening are adopted mainly for
m in the ore. Drilling holes of 300 mm diameter and sizing the ore and also for removing the adherent
till 12 m depth by crawler drills and use of explosives, gangue minerals. Dry and wet grinding is also
such as, ANFO, SMS and emulsion explosives for resorted to in some cases.
blasting are in practice. Loading is done by earth- The lumps and fines of iron ore are marketed
moving machinery powered by diesel or electric after screening and beneficiation. Fines are
engines, such as, hydraulic excavators in the range converted into sinters for use in steel plants while
from 1.9 cu m to 10 cu m. Ripper dozers and motor pellets made from concentrates/fines are exported
graders are also deployed for excavation and and also are utilised for internal consumption in
levelling purposes. domestic iron & steel industries.

16-17
 IRON ORE

ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS INDUSTRY

Afforestation, waste dump management, top Iron ore is the basic raw material used for
soil management, management of sub-grade making pig iron, sponge iron and finished steel.
minerals, mechanical beneficiation, dust The iron ore is used mainly in blast furnaces, mini-
suppression, monitoring of water & air quality, blast furnaces (MBF), DRI & sintering and
vibration survey, publicity and propaganda are pelletisation plants.
some common environmental restoration efforts Pelletisation
pursued by all mechanised and semi-mechanised In general, the pelletisation process involves
iron ore mines. Mining and beneficiation of ores mixing of iron ore and required limestone with
carried out on large-scale cause environmental water which later is ground in ball mills to the
problems. A specific problem in iron ore mining is desired size. The discharged slurry from ball mills
the disposal of tailings and other deleterious silica is filtered in pressure filters. The filter cake from
minerals and phosphorous. To safeguard the filters is then mixed with dry-ground coke fines to
environment and prevent ecological degradation, which bentonite is mixed in suitable proportion to
thrust has been laid on green belt development, form green pellets in pelletising discs. The coke
solid waste management, monitoring of liquid & fines and bentonite are ground separately.The
air effluents and other crucial environmental green pellets are then dried, heated and fired in
parameters. indurating machine to produce iron ore pellets.
Goa region is prone to siltation of agricultural There is an increasing trend for utilisation of
fields, nallahs, riverbeds and creeks due to wash pellets or sinters in the recent years. The use of
off from iron ore dumps in rainy season. Loss in pellets as feed in the blast furnace has several
crop yield and reduction in fish population in advantages because of their uniform size, known
streams and navigation difficulties are the composition and strength. Iron ore pellet is a kind
problems caused by silting. To overcome these of agglomerated fines which has better tumbling
problems, check dams and water filter beds at index as compared to that of parent ore and can
higher contours have been constructed. Tailing be used as a substitute used in blast furnaces in
ponds are also being maintained at some mines. countries where lump ore is not available.
Afforestation is the mainstay in reclaiming the The twenty-four pelletisation plants in the
mined out areas in Goa. In a few cases, pits are country, about which information is available have
used as water reservoir for pisciculture. a total capacity of 65.13 million tonnes per annum.
In Ballari-Hosapete area, Karnataka, dust The JSW Steel Ltd has a manufacturing capacity
concentration (suspended particulate matter) is of 9.2 million tonnes of pellets annually at
the main environmental problem. Environmental Vijayanagar. The pellet production unit consists
concerns had led to closing down of mining of India’s first dry process pelletising plant,
operations at Kudremukh iron ore mine of KIOCL ideallysuited for the soft iron ore of Ballari-
in December 2005, in compliance with the order Hosapete region. Amba River Coke Limited a
passed by the Hon'ble Supreme Court in this wholly subsidiary Company of JSW Steel has
regard. In Bailadila Sector, Chhattisgarh, forest is set up a 4 million tpy pellet plant at Dolvi and
fairly widespread and dense, supported by good has produced 4.19 million tonnes of pellet during
rainfall and rich flora and fauna. The the FY 2017-18, registering an increase of 6%, as
deforestation taking place due to mining and waste compared to FY 2016-17.
dumping needs to be compensated continuously Jindal Steel & Power Ltd has a total
by afforestation at suitable slopes and in installed capacity of 9 MTPA pellet plant at Barbil
township areas.In Jharkhand, afforestation of land for production of different grades of pellets. The
is the main recourse adopted for reclamation of plant includes dry grinding facility that harnesses
degraded lands or improvement in land uses. recuperation type of straight grate technology.

16-18
 IRON ORE

Essar Steel Pelletisation plant at mini-blast furnaces for production of hot metal/
Visakhapatnam has installed capacity of 8 million pig iron. Commissioned pig iron units are mostly
tonnes per annum. The plant receives iron ore of stand-alone type.
slurry which after pelletisation is provided as vital The production for sale of pig iron has increased
raw material for their steel plant at Hazira (Gujarat). from 1.6 million tonnes in 1991-92 to 5.73 million
Setting up of integrated pelletisation facility of tonnes in 2017-18. The Private Sector accounted
12 million tpy is under progress at Paradip, Odisha, for 94% of total production of pig iron in the
and is implemented in two phases by Essar Steel. country in 2017-18. As per National Steel Policy
Successful commissioning of Phase I (6 million 2017, the demand for pig iron for merchant use,
tpy) has been completed, while the second phase such as, for castings and supplementary metallic
is under construction. The I st Phase pellet plant in the electric arc or induction furnaces, is
at Paradip has an assured supply of high-quality projected to increase to 17 MT by 2030- 31.
iron ore from the beneficiation plant at Dabuna.
The plant's proximity to the Paradip port ensures
Sponge iron
expeditious shipment of pellets to their steel plant India is the world's largest producer of sponge
in Hazira. After completion of second phase, the iron or Direct Induced Iron (DRI) with a host of
capacity of pellet plant at Paradip, Odisha, would coal-based units located in the mineral-rich States
get scaled up to 12 million tpy and the total pellet of the country. Over the years, the coal-based
plant capacity of the Company would get route has emerged as a key contributor and
augmented to 20 million tpy. Sintering accounted for 79% of the total sponge iron
production in the country .The growth of Sponge
In sintering process, iron ore fines, other iron
Iron Industry during the last few years in terms of
bearing wastes and coke dust are blended and
capacity has been substantial. The installed
combusted. The heat fuses the fines into course
capacity of sponge iron increased from 1.52
lumps that can be charged to a blast furnace. The
million tonnes per annum in 1990-91 to around
twenty-eight sintering plants in the country, about
49.62 million tonnes in 2017-18. Production has
which information is available, have a total
increased from 0.9 million tonnes in 1990-91 to
capacity of about 71.81 million tonnes per annum.
30.51 million tonnes in 2017-18. India has been
Most of the Integrated Steel Plants (ISP) in the
the world’s largest sponge iron producer every
country have their own sintering plants. Sinter
year since 2003. As per National Steel Policy 2017,
plants receive raw material mostly from their
the demand for sponge iron is projected to
captive mines. Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL)
increase to 80 million tonnes by 2030-31. It is
had started its commercial production in December
projected that the sponge iron capacity may
2012 at IISCO steel plant in West Bengal, with a
increase to 114 MT by 2030-31 with around 30%
capacity of 3.8 million tonnes per annum.The
share of gas-based capacities under increased
installation of a 0.75 MTPY sinter plant by M/s
environmental considerations and long- term
Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd has been completed
availability of gas.
and is at commissioning stage. Pellets along with
sinters have resulted in growth in utilisation of Sponge iron is a good substitute for scrap
iron ore fines and blue dust. Information on which is required by the electric arc furnaces and
capacity and production of pellets and sintering induction furnaces or mini-steel plants in the
country. The availability of indigenous metal
plants is provided in Table-8.
scrap is scarce, and therefore, to meet the
Pig Iron domestic demand, scrap is usually imported.
Pig iron is one of the basic raw materials Sponge iron is a viable alternative for scrap and
required by Foundry and Casting Industry for is produced by direct reduction of high-grade iron
manufacturing various types of castings for the ore or pellets to metallic iron ore in solid state by
engineering section.The post-liberalisation using coal or natural gas as reductant. It is also
regime has witnessed Expression of Interest from known as Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) or Hot
a large number of entrepreneurs for setting up Briquetted Iron (HBI).

16-19
 IRON ORE

NMDC has set up a 1.2 million tpy capacity forecast of spike in growth in Infrastructure, Real
of pellet plant at Donimalai in Karnataka. Another Estate and Automobile Sectors in the ensuing
2 MTPA pellet plant is in the process of being set years is expected to augment demand for steel,
up at Nagarnar, Chhattisgarh. which in turn would raise the demand and prices
NMDC has taken up an ambitious project of of pellets in the near future.
laying Slurry Pipeline from Bailadila to Jagdalpur To encourage beneficiation and pelletisation
and further up to Visakhapatnam. The Capacity of of iron ore fines in the country, basic customs
the line 15 MTPA and this will be associated with duty (Import Duty on Iron Ore @ 2.5 % ) on the
facilities like beneficiation Plant at Kirandul & plants and equipment required for initial setting
Bacheli, Pellet Plant at Nagarnar and Vizag. The up or for substantial expansion of iron ore pellets
slurry pipeline between Bachlei and Nagarnar is plants and iron ore beneficiation plants has been
being executed by NMDC and that from Nagarnar reduced from 7.5% to 2.5% w.e.f 17th March 2012.
to Vizag is envisaged to be executed in SPV or To ensure easy availability of raw material in
BOO mode. domestic market at reasonable prices, export duty
The statutory clearances for Phase-I from on iron ore is @ 30 % for both lumps and fines
Bacheli to Nagarnar in respect of Ore Processing varieties of 58% Fe content and above. The export
plant (OPP), Bacheli and Pellet Plant, Nagarnar duty is @ 0% for both lumps and fines varieties
have been received. The activities for taking a of iron ore less than 58% Fe content. The export
corridor of land for Right of Use (ROU) for laying duty on iron ore pellets is NIL.
the Slurry pipeline is in progress.The works for Iron & Steel
Bailadila to Jagdalpur segment (140 km) has been The details of the Iron & Steel Industry are
taken up and site levelling work for 2 MTPA pellet provided in the Review on "Iron & Steel and
plant at Nagarnar has been completed and for 2 Scrap".
MTPA beneficiation plant at Bacheli is in progress.
The installation of a 1.8 MTPY pelletisation
Ferro- alloys
plant by M/s Monnet Ispat and Energy Ltd has Iron is an important constituent of ferro-
been completed and is at commissioning stage. alloys, like ferromanganese (high carbon, medium
carbon and low carbon), ferrosilicon, ferrochrome
To ensure gainful use of the extra-fine iron
(high carbon and low carbon)/charge-chrome,
ore fines which are generated while mining and
ferro-molybdenum, ferrovanadium, ferrotungsten,
processing, Tata Steel has implemented a 6 million
ferro-silicon-magnesium, ferroaluminium, ferro-
tpy pelletising plant in Jamshedpur with
silicon-zirconium, ferrotitanium, etc. Ferro-alloys
capabilities to convert these fines into pellets for
in turn are either used in Steel Industries to impart
use as replacement of iron ore lumps as a blast
some special qualities or are exported. The details
furnace feed. This not only is aimed at
about the
contributing significantly to energy savings in the
Ferro- alloys Industry are provided in the Review
blast furnace operations but also at cutting the
on 'Ferro-Alloys'.
cost of operations. The Eastern region accounts
for 55% of the total number of iron ore pellet units Cement
in the country, the rest 45% is equally divided Iron ore lumps and powder containing +58%
between the Southern and Western part. The Fe, are normally used in the Cement Industry as
Northern region is devoid of any presence as far they improve burning properties, impart colour
as the Iron Ore Pellet Industry is concerned –a and balance the composition of the mix. Further
key feature of this Industry, which is in sync with details about the Cement Industry are provided
the pattern of spread of the Indian Sponge Iron in the Review on 'Cement'.
Industry. Coal Washeries
Steel plants are likely to increase usage of Magnetite ore is used as heavy media in
pellets in their production process to reduce coal washeries. As information available in Energy
pollution and increase productivity. Moreover, the Statistics 2018, there are 18 washeries for coking

16-20
 IRON ORE

coal and 34 washeries for non-coking coal with CONSUMPTION

29.69 million tpy and 101.55 million tpy installed In 2017-18, about 154.60 million tonnes iron
capacity, respectively. Details on coal washeries ore were consumed in various industries like
are provided in the Review on 'Coal & Lignite'. Iron & Steel, Sponge Iron, Ferro-alloys, Alloy-
steel, Coal Washery and Cement. Iron & Steel
USES & SPECIFICATIONS including pelletisation (90.75 %) and Sponge Iron
Iron ore is mainly used for manufacturing pig industries (8.69 %) were the major consumer of iron
iron, sponge iron and steel. It is also used in ore and accounted together for over 99.44 % of the
Cement, Coal Washeries, Ferro-alloys, Foundry, consumption. Plantwise consumption of iron ore in
Vanaspati and Glass Industries. The specifications steel plants about which information is available is
of iron ore consumed by major sponge iron plants furnished in Table-10. Industrywise consumption of
are furnished in Table-9 and by major steel plants iron ore from 2015-16 to 2017-18 is provided in detail
in Table-10. in Table-11.

Table – 8 : Installed Capacity & Production of Pellets and Sinters, 2017-18

(By Plants)
(In '000 tonnes)

Annual Production Iron ore fines consumed

Name & location of plant installed
capacity 2016-17 2017-18 (P) 2016-17 2017-18 (P)

A) Pellet Plants
1. Amba River Coke Ltd 4000 3968 4186 4296 3864
(A wholly owned subsdiary co.
of JSW Steel Ltd )
Raigad, Maharashtra

2. Ardent Steel Ltd, Phulj 600 NA NA NA NA

Keonjhar, Odisha

3. Arya Iron and Steel Company 1200 NA NA NA NA

(AISCO) Barbil, Odisha

4. BMM Ispat, Karnataka. 2400 1303 1119 NA NA

5. Essar Steel Ltd, 8000 NA NA NA NA

Visakhapatnam,
Andhra Pradesh.

6. Essar Steel Ltd, 6000 NA NA NA NA

Paradip Port, Odisha.

7. Godawari Power & Ispat Ltd 2100 NA NA NA NA

Siltara, Chhattisgarh.

8. KIOCL Ltd, 3500 NA NA NA NA

Panambur, Mangaluru,
Karnataka.

9. Jindal Steel & Power 9000 NA NA NA NA

Ltd, Barbil

10. Jindal Saw Ltd., 1200 1200 1197 1279 1353

Bhilwara, Rajasthan

16-21 (Contd.)
 IRON ORE

(Table-8 Contd.)
(In '000 tonnes)

Annual Production Iron ore fines consumed

Name & location of plant installed
capacity 2016-17 2017-18 (P) 2016-17 2017-18 (P)

11. JSW Steel Ltd, Vijaynagar 9200 6177 7140 21040 20759
Works, Vidyanagar,
Toranagally,Ballari,
Karnataka

12. Jayaswal Neco Industries Ltd, 1200 770 1123 1242 1603
Siltara, Raipur, Chhattisgarh.

13. Mandovi Pellets Ltd, 1800 NA NA NA NA

Near Borim Bridge,
Shiroda, Goa – 403 103.

14. Minera Steel & power Private Ltd, 600 651 598 688 656
Ballari, Karnataka

15. MSP Steel & Power Ltd, 900 NA NA NA NA

Raigarh, Chhattisgarh

16. Orissa Metalics Private Ltd., 1230 791 1174 1279 1813
Paschim Mednapore,
West Bengal

17. Orissa Manganese & Minerals 1200 NA NA NA NA

Limited (OMML), Kandra
Saraikela Kharsawan, Jharkhand

18. Rashmi Metaliks Ltd, 900 749 787 1413 1364

Shyamraipur, Gokulpur,
West Midnapore, West Bengal

19. Rexon Strips Ltd, 300 NA NA NA NA

Kumakela, Lathikata
Rourkela, Sundargarh, Odisha

20. Sarda Energy and Minerals Ltd, 600 NA NA NA NA

Siltara, Raipur, Chhattisgarh

21. Shri Bajarang Power & Ispat Ltd, 1200 NA NA NA NA

Borjhara, Tilda & Gondwara, Raipur
Chhattisgarh.

22. Tata Steel Limited, Jamshedpur 6000 6293 6604 17054 17345

23. Usha Martin Ltd, 1200 - 367 1694 2119

Usha Alloy & Steel, Division,
Jamshedpur

24. Xindia Steels Ltd, 800 NA NA NA NA

Kunikere & Hirebaganal
Ginigera, Koppal, Karnataka.

(Contd.)

16-22
 IRON ORE

(Table-8 Contd.)
(In '000 tonnes)

Annual Production Iron ore fines consumed

Name & location of plant installed
capacity 2016-17 2017-18 (P) 2016-17 2017-18 (P)

B) Sintering Plant
1. Bokaro Steel P lant, 6900 NA NA NA NA
Jharkhand

2. Bhilai Steel Plant, 6334 7037 6505 4922 4424

Bhilai, Durg, Chhattisgarh.

3. Bhushan Power & Steel Ltd, 1000 NA NA NA NA

Sambalpur, Odisha.

4. Durgapur Steel Plant, 3009 3167 3155 2363 2408

West Bengal.

5. Gerdau Steel India Ltd, 470 NA NA NA NA

Tadipatri, Anantpur, A.P.

6. IISCO Steel Plant, SAIL 3800 NA NA 2635 2766

Burnpur, West Bengal.

7. Jayaswal Necco Industries 792 - - 1242 1603

Ltd, Siltara Growth Centre,
Raipur-493 221, Chhattisgarh.

8. Jindal Steel & Power Ltd, 2300 NA NA NA NA

Raigarh, Chhattisgarh.

9. Jindal Saw Ltd., 900 662 720 118 114

Mundra, Gujarat

10. JSW Steel Ltd 12950 13913 13858 21040 20759

Vijaynagar works,
Vidyanagar -583 175,
Tornagallu,Ballari,
Karnataka.

11. JSW Ispat Steel Ltd, 2800 NA NA NA NA

Dolvi, Raigad,
Maharashtra 402 107.

12. JSW Steel Ltd Salem works , 1180 1215 1208 581 625
Pottaneri, Salem, Tamil Nadu.

13. Kalyani Steel Ltd, 500 NA NA NA NA

M/s Hospet Steels Ltd.,
Ginigera, Koppal,Karnataka

14. Kirloskar Ferrous Industries Ltd, 500 NA NA NA NA

Bevinahalli, Hitnal, Karnataka.

(Contd.)

16-23
 IRON ORE

(Table-8 Concld.)
(In '000 tonnes)

Annual Production Iron ore fines consumed

Name & location of plant installed
capacity 2016-17 2017-18 (P) 2016-17 2017-18 (P)

15. KIC Metaliks Ltd, 336 130 174 239 305

Raturia, Angadpur,
Durgapur. West Bengal.

16. Mukund Ltd, 500 NA NA NA NA

M/s Hospet Steel Ltd,
Ginigera, Koppal, Karnataka

17. Neelachal lspat Nigam Ltd, 1711 NA NA NA NA

Kalinga Nagar, Industrial
Complex, Duburi-755 026,
Distt. Jajpur, Odisha.

18. Rashmi Metaliks Ltd, 600 310 233 1413 1364

Shyamraipur, Gokulpur,
West Midnapore, West Bengal.

19. RINL, Visakhapatnam Steel 5256 NA NA NA NA

Plant No. -1& 2 ,
Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh.

20. RINL, Visakhapatnam Steel 3600 NA NA NA NA

Plant No. -3, Andhra Pradesh.

21. Rourkela Steel Plant, 5300 5270 5306 3117 -

Odisha.

22. SBQ Steel Ltd, 240 - - - -

Gudur, Nellore, Andhr Pradesh

23. SLR Metaliks Ltd. 343 - - - -

Ballari, Karnataka

24. Sesa Goa Ltd., 1000 - - 1127 1064

Vedanta Ltd., North Goa

25. Sunflag Iron and Steel Co. Ltd, 250 323 365 553 639
Bhandara, Nagpur, Maharashtra.

26. Tata Steel Ltd, 8000 8153 6604 17054 17345

Jamshedpur, Jharkhand.

27. Tata Metaliks Ltd, 528 NA NA NA NA

Kharagpur, West Bengal.

28. Usha Martin Ltd (Usha Alloys 715 815 818 1694 2119
and Steel Division), Jamshedpur.

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 IRON ORE

Table - 9 : Specifications of Iron Ore Consumed by Major Sponge Iron Plants

Specifications
Sl. Name of the Plant
No. Size Fe Al 2 O 3 + SiO 2 P S

1. Orissa Sponge Iron Plant 5-18 mm 65% min. 4.5% max. 0.03% max. N. A.

2. Welspun Max Steel Ltd 9-16 mm 66% 2.6% max. 0.05% 0.01%

3. Sunflag Iron & Steel Ltd 5-20 mm 67.5% – – –

4. NMDC Ltd (Sponge iron unit) 6-20 mm 55-58% & – – –

64-66%

5. Essar Steel Ltd 10-40 mm 67% 2.60% max. 0.05% 0.01%

6. Jindal Steel & Power Ltd 10-30 mm 65% min. 3% max. (SiO2 ) 0.05% –

7. Tata Sponge Iron Ltd 5-18 mm 65% min. 5% max. – –

8. Steel Exchange India Ltd 10-40 mm 62% – – –

9. Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd 5-18 mm 65-66% – – –

10. OCL Iron & Steel Ltd Sized 62% min. – – –

11. Nalwa Steel & Power Ltd 5-20 mm 63% min. – – –

12. Shri Bajrang Power & Ispat Ltd 5-18 mm 64% min. – – –

13. Jai Balaji Industries Ltd 5-18 mm 65% 5% 0.05% 0.03%

10-30 mm – – – –
10-150 mm – – – –

Table – 10 : Consumption and Specifications of Iron Ore, 2016-17 and 2017-18

(By Steel Plants)
(In '000 tonnes)

Iron ore consumption

Steel plant 2016-17 2017-18 (P)

Specifications
Lumps Fines Lumps Fines

Bokaro Steel Plant, 1945 3227 2487 4058 Lumps: Fe-63.40%,

Bokaro, SiO2 :2.25%, Al2 O3 2.39%,
Jharkhand. Size: 10-40 mm
Fines: Fe - 62.24%,
SiO 2 - 3.36%,
Al 2O 3 - 3.45%

Durgapur Steel Plant, 1431 2363 1363 2408 Lumps : Fe - 62.48%,

Durgapur, Al 2O 3 - 2.42%,
West Bengal. Size: 10-50 mm
Fines: Fe - 62.8%,
SiO 2 - 2.28%,
Size : -10 mm

(Contd.)

16-25
 IRON ORE

(Table-10 Concld.)

(In '000 tonnes)

Iron ore consumption

Steel plant 2016-17 2017-18 (P)

Specifications
Lumps Fines Lumps Fines

IISCO Steel Plant, 689 2545 710 2766 Lumps: Fe - 62.86%,

Burnpur, SiO2 - 2.56%,
West Bengal. Al2 O3 - 2.56% (max.),
Size: 10-40 mm

Bhilai Steel Plant, 2969 4922 2414 4424

Chhattisgarh

Rourkela Steel Plant 1835 3117 2460 5306 -

SAIL, Rourkela,
Odisha.

Tata Metaliks Ltd 220 398 260 315 -

Medinipur, Kharagpur
West Bengal.

Tata Steel Limited, 3365 17054 3205 17345

Jamshedpur

JSW Steel Ltd. 5831 15444 4375 18210

Ballary, Karnataka

Mukund Ltd, 346 154 345 182 -

M/s Hospet Steel Ltd,
Ginigera, Koppal,
Karnataka.

JSW Steel Ltd Salem works, 1003 2861 1003 4156 -

Raigad, Maharashtra

Kalyani Steel Ltd, 318 1090 247 1029 -

M/s Hospet Steels Ltd.,
Ginigera, Koppal,
Karnataka.

TRADE POLICY
policy for iron ore as construed is furnished
As per the Foreign Trade Policy (FTP) for below in brief. As per the policy, imports of iron
2015-20 and the amended Export and Import ore lumps, fines, concentrates and agglomerated
Policy incorporated in the FTP, the present export pellets are freely allowed.

HS Code Item Export Policy Nature of restrictions

26011100 Iron ore other than those specified STE Export through MMTC
under Free category.

26011100 Iron ore of Goa origin when exported Free

to China, Europe, Japan, South Korea
and Taiwan, irrespective of the Fe
content.

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 IRON ORE

HS Code Item Export Policy Nature of restrictions

26011100 Iron ore of Redi origin to all markets, Free

irrespective of the Fe content.
26011100 All iron ore of Fe content up to 64%. Free
26011150 Iron ore concentrate prepared by bene- STE KIOCL Ltd, Bengaluru
ficiation and/or concentration of low-
grade ore containing 40% or less of
iron produced by KIOCL Ltd.
26011210 Iron ore pellets manufactured by KIOCL STE KIOCL Ltd, Bengaluru
Ltd.
26011290 Rejects of iron ore chips and like generated Free The quantity of export of such
from the manufacturing process after using rejects shall not be more than 10%
imported raw material. of the imported raw materials i.e.
pellets. The size of the rejected
pellets chips (fines) shall be less
than 6 mm.

Source: Export-Import Policy, 2015-20 ; STE: State Trading Enterprise

Table 11 - Estimated Consumption* of Iron Ore @ 2015-16 to 2017-18

(By Industries)
(In tonnes)

Industry 2015-16 2016-17 (R) 2017-18 (P)

All Industries 126774300 150216000 154597800

Alloy steel 39800 35500 7800
Cement 1254100 868900 778100
Ferro-alloys 78800 70700 64000
Iron & steel (including pelletisation) 96778900 135474700 140300200
Sponge iron 28592000(e) 13730300 13440200
Others (electrode,foundry,
oil well drilling, paint, chemical, coal washery** 30700 35900 7500
& refractory)

Figures rounded off.

*Includes actual reported consumption and/or estimates made wherever required.
@Does not include consumption of pellets & sinters; includes consumption of iron ore (fines) consumed in the
production of pellets & sinters.
** Magnetite.

WORLD REVIEW Russia (3%) were the principal producers. These

five countries accounted for about 86% of the
The world reserves of crude iron ore are world production of iron ore. The world
estimated to be around 170 billion tonnes. In term production of iron ore is provided in Table-13.
of iron content, the iron ore reserves are estimated To give a generalised view of the development
to be around 84 billion tonnes. The world reserves in various countries, country-wise description
of crude iron ore and iron content by principal sourced from the latest available publication of
countries are furnished in Table - 12. Minerals Yearbook 'USGS' 2015 is furnished below.
In 2017, the world production of iron ore
was 3,332 million tonnes as against 3,317 million Australia
t o n n e s i n t h e p r e v i o u s y e a r. C h i n a ( 3 7 % ) , Production of iron ore in Australia at 817 Mt,
Australia (27%), Brazil (13%), India (6%) and on a usable-ore basis, in 2015, was 5.5% higher

16-27
 IRON ORE

than 774 Mt produced in 2014. On a year-on-year Concerns regarding the environmental impact of
basis, iron ore production in Australia increased the dam failure and loss of life prompted the
by 42 Mt in 2015, 91 Mt in 2014, 127 Mt in 2013 Environment Minister of Brazil to file a lawsuit
and 68 Mt in 2012. The three leading miners in against the operators and to demand that the
Australia—BHP Billiton Ltd, Fortescue Metals owners establish a $5.2 billion fund to pay for
Group Ltd, and Rio Tinto Group—were among the environmental recovery and victim compensation.
four leading iron ore producers in the world and The 30.5-Mt/yr pellet facility was a joint venture
accounted for the vast majority of iron ore between BHP Billiton Ltd and Vale S.A.
produced in Australia.
China
BHP Billiton’s iron ore production in Australia
Production in China, on a usable-ore basis,
in the fiscal year (FY) 2015, which ended June 30,
decreased in 2015 to 375 Mt from 410 Mt in 2014.
increased to 218 Mt from 159 Mt in FY 2014, mostly
The China Iron and Steel Association indicated
owing to the ramping up of the Jimblebar Mine in
that the Government of China had attempted to
Western Australia. Production was expected to
resolve overcapacity by reducing steel
increase to 233 Mt in FY 2016 as operations were
production capacity by 77.8 Mt since 2011. Steel
optimised and expansion projects were completed
mills in China remained the leading consumers of
in preparation for a potential doubling of capacity
iron ore in the world.
to 290 Mt/yr. Fortescue’s production in FY 2015
increased to 165 Mt from 140 Mt produced in FY Canada
2014 and was expected to continue at 165 Mt/yr Production of iron ore in Canada increased
through FY 2016. Rio Tinto’s share of production slightly in 2015 to 45.9 Mt from 44.2 Mt produced
at its operations in Australia in 2015 increased to in 2014 . The Bloom Lake Group and its several
253 Mt from 225 Mt in 2014. The Company’s Port affiliates managing operations at Cliffs’ Bloom
of Pilbara and rail infrastructure project was Lake Mine in Quebec Province began
completed in mid-2015, along with the ramping up restructuring proceedings under the Government
of multiple mines across the Pilbara region and of Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement
the commissioning of the Yandicoogina project. Act. Operations at the mine were suspended in
Brazil late 2014. Cliffs was considering equity investors
and sale options, which would terminate all the
Production of iron ore in Brazil at 397 Mt in
Company’s operations in Canada. Champion Iron
2015 was 3% higher than 385 Mt produced in 2014.
Ltd indicated it was considering purchasing the
Vale S.A., the leading iron ore producer in Brazil,
mine along with its rail assets.
increased production in 2015 to 346 Mt, from 332
Mt in 2014. The Company sold 276 Mt of fines U.S. Steel’s transition plan with U.S. Steel
and 46 Mt of pellets, an increase from 256 Mt of Canada, as part of the latter’s restructuring under
fines and 44 Mt of pellets in 2014. Anglo American Canada’s Companies’ Creditors Arrangement Act,
plc increased production in 2015 to 9.2 Mt (wet was approved by the Ontario Superior Court of
basis) as the operation continued to be ramped Justice. The agreement’s approval was integral to
up through mid-2016. separating the two companies .
In early November, the Fundão Dam burst at Guinea
the Samarco Mine in Minas Gerais State, resulting ArcelorMittal terminated an agreement to
in casualties and flooding of the surrounding purchase shares in the Mount Nimba iron ore
villages and areas. The dam’s failure released project in Guinea. The original agreement was
approximately 60 million cubic meters of water and contingent on receiving permission from the
mine waste from the site’s tailings ponds into the Government of Guinea to ship iron ore into Liberia.
surrounding area and eventually in to the Rio Doce That permission was not received by the
estuary and the southern Atlantic Ocean. established deadline.

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 IRON ORE

Table – 12 : World Reserves of Iron Ore Table – 13 : World Production of Iron Ore
(By Principal Countries) (By Principal Countries)
(In million tonnes)
(In million tonnes)
Reserves
Country Country 2015 2016 2017 (P)
Crude ore Iron content World Total 3308 3317 3332
World : Total (rounded) 170000 84000 Australia 810 858 885

Australia (a)
50000 24000 Brazil 389 424 436
Canada* 47 49 49
Brazil 32000 17000
Chile 15 15 15
Canada 6000 2300
China 1381 1281 1229
China 20000 6900 India (i)*** 158 195 201
India* 5400 3200 Iran(j) 51 65 74
Kazakhstan 37 36 39
Iran 2700 1500
Mauritania 12 13 12
Kazakhstan 2500 900
Mexico 20 18 18
Russia 25000 14000 Mongolia 6 5 8
South Africa 1200 770 Peru 7 8 9
Russia 101 101 95
Sweden 1300 600
Sierra Leone 5 7 7e
Ukraine(b) 6500 2300 @
South Africa 73 66 75
United States 2900 760 Sweden 30 32 32
Other countries 18000 9500 Turkey 8 7 10
Ukraine 67 63 61
Source: Mineral Commodity Summaries, 2019.
USA** 46 42 46 e
(a) :- For Australia Joint Ore Reserves Committee compliant
reserves were about 24 billion tonnes for crude ore and 10 Venezuela 12 7 5
billion tonnes for iron content. Vietnam 3 3 5
(b):- For Ukraine, reserves consist of the A+B categories of
Other countries 29 23 22
the Soviet reserves classification system.
Source: World Mineral Production, 2013-2017, BGS.
* As per UNFC system as on 1.4.2015 India's reserves/
Note : Total may not tally as figures are rounded off.
resources of Iron ore (Haematite) and Iron ore (Magnetite)
were estimated at 22,487 million tonnes and 10,789 million * Including by-product iron ore.
tonnes respectively. @: Including by-product magnetite.
** Including by-product iron ore and beneficiated and direct
shipping ore
FOREIGN TRADE (i) Year ended 31st March following that stated.
Exports (j) Year ended 20th March following that stated.
Exports of iron ore decreased to 24.38 million *** India's production of iron ore in 2015-16, 2016-17
and 2017-18 was 158.11 million tonnes, 194.58 million
tonnes in 2017-18 from 30.73 million tonnes in the
tonnes and 200.96 million tonnes respectively.
previous year. In terms of value, the iron ore
exports decreased to ` 9,490 crore in 2017-18 from Imports
` 10,293 crore in 2016-17. The exports of iron ore Imports of iron ore increased to 8.71 million
in 2017-18 in terms of volume comprised iron ore tonnes in 2017-18 from 4.61 million tonnes in
fines (54%), iron ore pellets (38%), iron ore lumps t h e p r e v i o u s y e a r. T h e i m p o r t s i n 2 0 1 7 - 1 8
(6%), iron ore non-agglomerated concentrate (2%) comprised iron ore Fines (44%), non-agglomerated
and negligible quantity of iron ore pyrites. concentrates (25%), lumps (24%), iron ore
Exports were mainly to China (76%) , Japan (12%), pellets (7%) and negligible quantity of iron ore
Rep. of Korea (5% ), Oman (2%) and the remaining pyrites. Imports of iron ore were from Australia
5% of the exports were to Indonesia,Vietnam, (33%) , South Africa (31%), Brazil (25%), Bahrain
Malaysia, Singapore, Korea Dem. Rep., UK (6%), Oman (3%) and Iran & Russia (1 % each)
etc.(Tables- 14 to 19). (Tables-20 to 25).

16-29
 IRON ORE
Table – 14 : Exports of Iron Ore : Total Table – 17 : Exports of Iron Ore: Pyrites
(By Countries) (By Countries)
2016-17 2017-18 2016-17 2017-18
Country Country
Qty Value Qty Value Qty Value Qty Value
('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000)

All Countries 30728 102929254 24380 94901382 All Countries ++ 21060 ++ 25395
Japan ++ 7401 ++ 6575
China 29474 97293983 18602 70391181
Netherlands ++ 5464 ++ 6291
Japan 468 1546315 2891 12242234 UAE ++ 2843 ++ 2634
Korea, Rep. of 75 285680 1125 5809245 Bangladesh - - ++ 1890
Oman 417 2151559 388 2277724 Saudi Arabia ++ 665 ++ 1647
Vietnam - - 259 1255169 Italy - - ++ 1209
Jordan - - ++ 783
Indonesia - - 273 718618
Uganda ++ 306 ++ 588
Malaysia - - 218 616088
Sri Lanka ++ 333 ++ 537
Singapore - - 165 603049 Slovenia - - ++ 445
Korea Dem. Rep. - - 76 302007 Other countries ++ 4048 ++ 2796
UK ++ 912 60 288464 Table – 18: Exports of Iron Ore: Concentrates
Other countries 294 1650805 323 397603 Non-Agglomerated
(By Countries)
Table – 15: Exports of Iron Ore : Lumps
(By Countries) 2016-17 2017-18
Country
Qty Value Qty Value
2016-17 2017-18
('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000)
Country
Qty Value Qty Value
All Countries 1107 2846476 453 924666
('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000)
China 1105 2839135 205 562796
All Countries 2266 6792560 1516 4402466 Japan ++ 1 65 351120
China 2199 6497797 962 2140693 Nepal 1 1085 183 10668
Japan 67 293697 440 2136449 Malaysia - - ++ 21
Finland ++ 745 ++ 17
Malaysia - - 79 104739
Norway - - ++ 16
Singapore - - 33 17807
USA - - ++ 11
Nepal ++ 1066 2 2485 Germany - - ++ 10
Philippines - - ++ 284 Spain - - ++ 3
Finland - - ++ 9 Maldives - - ++ 2
Other countries 1 5510 ++ 2
Table – 16: Exports of Iron Ore: Fines Table – 19 : Exports of Iron Ore: Pellets
(By Countries) (By Countries)

2016-17 2017-18 2016-17 2017-18

Country Country
Qty Value Qty Value Qty Value Qty Value
('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000)

All Countries 18540 47421383 13100 32582233 All Countries 8815 45847775 9311 56966622
China 18063 46127910 9889 21333765 China 8107 41829141 7546 46353495
Japan 347 914259 2055 7495395 Korea, Rep. of - - 530 3285757
Korea, Dem.Rep 7 5 285680 595 2523488 Oman 416 2148624 388 2277724
Indonesia - - 221 371060 Japan 54 330957 331 2252695
Korea Dem.Rep - - 76 302007 Vietnam - - 206 1196972
Singapore - - 40 227895 Malaysia - - 53 366699
Malaysia - - 86 144553 Singapore - - 92 357347
Kenya 19 33912 45 71966 Indonesia - - 52 347558
Vietnam - - 53 58197 UK - - 60 288050
Nepal 36 55491 40 53907 UAE - - 53 240325
Other countries ++ 4131 - - Other countries 238 1539053 - -

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 IRON ORE

Table – 20: Imports of Iron Ore: Total

(By Countries) Table – 21: Imports of Iron Ore: Concentrates
Non-Agglomerated
(By Countries)
2016-17 2017-18
Country
2016-17 2017-18
Qty Value Qty Value Country
('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000) Qty Value Qty Value
('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000)
All Countries 4607 21615219 8706 42293972
South Africa 2383 11066550 2744 15411266 All Countries 2352 10404621 2210 12707090
Brazil 1729 7960838 2178 12246656 Brazil 1202 5456870 1658 9667096
Australia 6 33444 2866 7279074 Oman 56 325696 290 1613832
Bahrain 234 1467056 526 5058760 South Africa 964 4169888 147 856588
Oman 56 325696 290 1613832 Australia - - 63 315634
Russia - - 45 375609 Iran 58 238494 52 241360
Iran 124 508357 52 241360 Sweden - - ++ 8198
Netherlands ++ 1280 ++ 3098
Turkey 2 17765 4 36624
France - - ++ 812
Sweden ++ 47 ++ 8231
Germany - - ++ 379
China ++ 5846 ++ 6539
USA - - ++ 34
Other countries 7 3 229620 1 16021
Other countries 72 212393 ++ 59

Table – 22: Imports of Iron Ore: Pellets

(By Countries)

2016-17 2017-18
Country
Qty Value Qty Value
('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000)

All Countries 392 2520827 571 5434369

Bahrain 234 1467056 526 5058760
Russia - - 45 375609
Australia 3 21199 - -
Brazil 155 1032572 - -

Table – 23 : Imports of Iron Ore : Pyrites

(By Countries)

2016-17 2017-18
Country
Qty Value Qty Value
('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000)

All Countries 3 39467 5 54670

Turkey 2 17765 4 36624
China ++ 5846 ++ 6539
Pakistan ++ 3598 1 5842
Italy ++ 2666 ++ 4867
Turkmenistan - - ++ 697
USA - - ++ 101
Finland 1 9592 - -

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 IRON ORE

Table – 24: Imports of Iron Ore Lumps

(By Countries)

2016-17 2017-18
Country
Qty Value Qty Value
('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000)

All Countries 994 4824935 2123 12138902

South Africa 994 4824797 2123 12138685
Germany - - ++ 63
Australia - - ++ 52
Austria ++ 91 ++ 39
Sweden ++ 47 ++ 33
Canada - - ++ 30

Table – 25: Imports of Iron Ore: Fines

(By Countries)

2016-17 2017-18
Country
Qty Value Qty Value
('000 t) (`'000) ('000 t) (`'000)

All Countries 866 3825369 3797 11958941

Australia 3 12245 2803 6963388
Brazil 372 1471396 520 2579560
South Africa 425 2071865 474 2415993
Iran 66 269863 - -

FUTURE OUTLOOK manpower and infrastructure including land. To address

India is one of the leading producers of iron ore in the concerns regarding availability of raw material (iron
the world. Among the consuming industries, Cement ore) intensive & deeper exploration would have to be
Industry is the second major consumer of iron ore after promoted for augmentation of resource base. Eco-
Iron & Steel Industry (including Sponge Iron Industry).
friendly viable underground mining techniques for
In order to conserve iron ore resources of the country
optimal utilisation of magnetite ore deposits locked in
for long term domestic value addition, export duty on
all varieties of iron ore (except pellets) has been Western Ghats would also have to be explored in
increased from 20% to 30% ad valorem. conjunction with mining research institutes. The
Government has already promulgated the Mines and
The Ministry of Steel under Government of India
Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment
has recently introduced the new National Steel Policy
Act, 2015 and therein has laid great emphasis on time
2017 and with the roll out of the National Steel Policy
bound mine development with increased stress on
2017 and the DMI&SP policy, it is envisaged that the
mineral exploration and sustainable mining operations.
industry can be steered with appropriate policy
support in creating an environment for promoting The Act has brought clarity on mine allocation
domestic steel and thereby ensuring a scenario where process (through auction) and procedures for mining
production meets the anticipated pace of growth in lease renewal. The Act, further, provides for reservation
consumption.Thus, the Indian Steel Sector is all set to of any particular mine for a particular end use and put
achieve its vision thereby setting a global benchmark conditions permitting auction among such eligible end
in terms of quality, standards and technology. It is users.
anticipated that crude steel capacity of 300 million The Ministry of Steel in conjunction with Ministry
tonnes will be required by 2030-31. However, achieving of Mines will facilitate creation of a uniform
crude steel capacity up to 300 million tonnes will require countrywide sales platform for bringing transparency
extensive mobilisation of natural resources, finances, and predictability in the process of sale of iron ore.

16-32