Question : PRODUCTION AND RESERVE OF IRON ORE

(a) whether excess production of iron ore in the country has caused a threat of extinction of iron ore reserves;

(b) whether the Government propose to conduct any survey to explore new reserve of iron ore in the country;

(c) the quantum of iron ore exported during each of the last three years and onwards alongwith the foreign exchange earned therein;

(d) whether there is an increasing trend in the iron ore exports;

(e) if so, the reasons therefor;

(f) whether the export of good ore has adversely affected the competitiveness of Indian Steel Industry; and

(g) if so, the action the Government propose to take on conservation and utilization of iron ore reserves?

MINISTER OF CHEMICALS & FERTILIZERS AND MINISTER OF STEEL (SHRI RAM VILAS PASWAN)

(a) No, Sir.

(b) Geological Survey of India, various State Directorates of Geology & Mining and Mineral Exploration Agencies are carrying out exploration for minerals including iron ore as per the priorities fixed by Central Geological Programming Board and State Geological Programming Boards.

(c) The quantum of iron ore exported by India during each of the last three years along with the foreign exchange earned therein is as follows:

Year	Quantity Exported (million tones)	Foreign Exchange Earned (US $ million)	Equivalent Value (Rupee Crores)
2001-02	41.64	688.60	3321.83
2002-03	48.02	796.85	3655.15
2003-04	62.58	1564.91	7042.08
2004-05
Apr`04-Jul`04	16.12	N.A.	2621.97
Source : MMTC/DGCI&S

(Quantity in million tonnes)
Country	2001-02	2002-03	2003-04
China	19.22	26.27	42.12
Source: Metal & Mineral Trading Corporation (MMTC) Ltd.