Question : Iron Ore and Ferro Alloy Deposits

(a) the estimated quantum of iron ore and ferro alloy deposits in various parts of the country, State-wise and the quantum of iron and steel production during each of the last two years and the current year;

(b) the details of the closed mines which have since been reopened and quantum of iron being produced from them;

(c) whether the Government has also chalked out any plan to increase production or number of jobs in the ferro alloy mines in various districts in Odisha; and

(d) if so, the district-wise details thereof and the funds being allocated for the purpose?

THE MINISTER OF STEEL (SHRI DHARMENDRA PRADHAN)

(a) As per National Mineral Inventory as on 01.04.2015, state wise reserves/resources of iron ore (Haematite & Magnetite) is given as Annexure-I (A) & (B).

Regarding quantum of ferro alloy deposit, iron ore, manganese and chromite are used as important raw material for production of ferro alloys. State wise reserve/resources of chromite and manganese are given as Annexure-II (A) and Annexure-II (B), respectively.

The Production of Iron ore and Crude Steel in the country during last two years and current years are as under:-
(in million tonnes)
Year Iron Ore Crude steel
2017-18 200.8 103.13
2018-19 207.7 110.92
2019-20 (April’19 – Jan.’20)* 198.95 91.48
Source: JPC, * provisional

(b) As per available information, total 70 mineral blocks have already been successfully auctioned by nine states up as on date. Out of these, 24 blocks were auctioned for iron ore (Jharkhand-1; Karnataka-18; Madhya Pradesh-1; Maharashtra-1 and Odisha-3). State wise details of auction summary is given in Annexure-III.

(c)&(d): National Steel Policy, 2017 envisages to provide necessary raw materials linkages and stable supply of power to grow Ferro-alloys units on priority.

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