Question : BAN ON EXPORT OF IRON AND MANGANESE ORES

(a) whether the Shah Commission has recommended that the main cause for illegal mining of iron and manganese ore is the huge profit from its export;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) whether the Government proposes to impose ban on its export;

(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) the time by which the decision is likely to be taken in this regard; and

(f) the quantum of export of iron and manganese ore along with foreign exchange earned thereby during each of the last three years and the current year?

THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR MINES (SHRI DINSHA PATEL)

(a) and (b) : Shri Justice M. B. Shah Commission of Inquiry in its First Interim Report has stated that bulk imports of iron ore by China to fulfill its requirements, has led to price rise of ore, which is the primary cause for illegal mining. For this reason, the Commission has recommended a total ban on export of iron ore and manganese ore. The First Interim Report of Commission alongwith Memorandum of Action Taken was tabled in the Parliament.

(c) to (e): Export of minerals, including iron ore and manganese ore is guided by Export-Import Policy and as per available information, there is no proposal to ban export of iron ore or manganese ore. However, as per Government decision, export of iron ore is regulated by fiscal measures and an export duty of 30% on ad valorem basis is levied on all iron ore exports.

(f): The quantum and value of export of iron ore and manganese ore during each of the last three years and the current year is given in Annexure.

ANNEXURE REFERRED IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 4416 FOR REPLY ON 7.9.2012
REGARDING BAN ON EXPORT OF IRON AND MANGANESE ORES ASKED BY SHRI SYED SHAHNAWAZ HUSSAIN
Quantity and value of iron ore exported:
Year	Quantity of Iron ore	Value	(in Lakh MT)	(in Rs. crore)
2009-10	1234.31	33279.02
2010-11	996.53	43391.30
2011-12	573.52	28323.25
2012-13
(upto June	121.14	5235.94
2012)	(Source: Tax Research Unit, Department of Revenue,	Ministry of Finance, Government of India)
Quantity and value of manganese ore exported:
Year	Quantity of	Value	Manganese ore	(in Rs. crore)	(in lakh MT)
2008-09	2.05	120.61
2009-10	2.89	116.70
2010-11 (P)	1.18	83.69
2011-12 (P)
(upto Feb.	0.53	38.39
2012)	(P): Provisional
(Source: Directorate General of Commercial Intelligence and Statistics (DGCI&S),	Kolkata	through Indian Bureau of Mines, Government of India)