(a) whether the Government has approved a proposal of National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) to export high grade iron ore to South Korea and Japan;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether the Government has ensured that export of huge quantity of high grade iron ore will not adversely affect the domestic users; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Government in this regard?
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR STEEL (SHRI VISHNU DEO SAI)
(a)&(b): Yes, Madam. The Government has on 24.06.2015 approved the proposal to extend Long Term Agreement for export of NMDC iron ore to Japan & South Korea for a period of 3 years i.e. from 01.04.2015 to 31.03.2018.
(c)&(d): To discourage the export of Iron Ore and to ensure its sufficient availability to Domestic Steel Industry, the Government has presently imposed export duty @ 30% ad valorem on iron ore above 58% Fe grade.
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