Chiria, Rowghat iron ore mines crucial for SAIL

Roongta said the Rowghat mines were extremely important for its Bhilai Steel Plant due to rapidly depleting reserves of Dalli Rajhara mines and expressed satisfaction that the issue of acquiring the said mines has been amicably resolved with the Chhattisgarh government.

Last July, SAIL was alarmed when the state government de-reserved the lone F-Block it had given to it. Again in December 2004, one block was reserved, but following intense deliberations the government decided to reserve all bocks for SAIL.

SAIL's operation capability could be impeded if it did not acquire Chiria and Rowghat mines in view of its Rs 37,000 crore Corporate Plan, which entailed integrated expansion of its steel plants.

Roongta said SAIL was also developing two fresh blocks in the Gua mines- Kiriburu and Meghataburu having 120 million tonnes of iron ore for its Bokaro Plant.

SAIL has envisaged expanding its capacity of its Bokaro Plant to 15 million tonnes (MT) from 4 MT, the Durgapur Plant to 5 MT from 2 MT and the Rourkela Plant to 5 MT from 2 MT besides others.