Orissa CM reiterates demand for ban on iron ore exports

Thursday, 17 Nov 2011

BS reported that Odisha has again sought an immediate ban on exports of the mineral ore, saying such a move would bring down prices of ore and help regulate mining activities.

The state chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik has reiterated his demand for ban on iron ore exports, seeking intervention of prime minister Dr Manmohan Singh on the matter.

Mr Patnaik said in his letter to the PM that “The boom in iron ore prices in the last decade has created perverse incentives for mining activities to be carried out in an unregulated manner. A ban on the export of iron ore should be immediately imposed. This will not only bring down domestic prices of iron ore but also encourage local industries to invest in technologies to utilize the iron ore prices presently being exported, besides ensuring that mining activities are regulated and sustainable.”

He said “The ban on iron ore exports is necessary as the demand for steel and its production in the country are both expected to grow at an annual rate of 10% or more on an average in the coming years.”

Mr Patnaik had earlier urged the Prime Minister to announce a ban on iron ore exports and had also raised this demand at the meeting of the National Development Council held on October 22.

(Sourced from BS)

Orissa based steel mills meet CM for iron ore solution

Wed, 09 Mar 2011

TNN reported that steel makers in Orissa have demanded the state government should ensure raw material availability at a reasonable price.

As per report, senior persons from several companies, which have set up shop in the state, met Orissa chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik and sought redress of their grievances.

They complained about problems in accessing iron ore shortage a regulated price and said unless the state government sorted out issues the companies would continue to suffer.

The steel companies urged the state government to facilitate lease of iron ore mines to them in tune with the MoUs signed for establishment of steel mills. They even suggested the state government to ban or restrict export of raw materials to other states and abroad.

The state government should evolve a mechanism to regulate the rate of iron ore and chrome ore, president of All Orissa Steel Federation P L Khandoi, who also heads the Kalinga Nagar Industries Association. Other steelmakers who called on the chief minister included Mr Ratan Jindal of JSL Stainless Limited, Mr Neeraj Singhal of Bhusan Steel and Power Limited, Mr HS Sethy of Essar group and Mr Vishal Agarwal of Visa Steel.

Of the 50 companies that have inked pacts with the state government to establish steel factories in the state, around 30 have already entered into different stages of production. However, most of these companies have been complaining that private mine owners and OMC are selling iron and chrome ore at exorbitant rates, pushing their units to face closure.(sourced :TNN)

Tags : All Orissa Steel Federation, Orissa's iron ore

Update on JSPL steel plant at Angul in Orissa

Sunday, 27 Feb 2011, Economics Times

Optimistic of commissioning the proposed 6 million tonnes per annum steel project in Orissa by 2013, Jindal Steel and Power Limited said that it would keep enhancing the plant's capacity to make it the world's biggest steel plant.

Mr Naveen Jindal executive vice chairman and managing director of JSPL after meeting Orissa chief minister Mr Naveen Patnaik told reporters that "We will be able to achieve the capacity of 6 million tonnes per annum steel plant by 2013.”

He added that "The capacity of the proposed 6 million tonnes per annum steel plant will be expanded to 20 million tonnes per annum in the next 10 years. This will be the biggest steel plant in the world."

He said the company had already invested INR 10,000 crore and placed order for another INR 5,000 crore for its Orissa steel project. While JSPL would invest INR 45,000 to INR 50,000 crore in steel sector, another INR 50,000 crore would be invested in its proposed Coal To Liquid plant.

Mr Jindal said that "The company is likely to invest INR 110,000 crore in next 10 years claiming that the environmental clearance to its project was not conditional.”

Tags:Coal To Liquid plant, environmental clearance,