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There is a need to ensure stable iron ore linkages for the existing and upcoming steel mills in Odisha, said Union steel secretary G Mohan Kumar.
“The major issue is to ensure stable iron ore linkages for the steel plants. The steel projects are facing a lot of problems relating to raw material supplies and various clearances. We discussed about these problems. The state government is addressing these issues”, Kumar said after reviewing the projects of both public and private steel players.
The projects of Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL), MSTC Ltd, Posco India, Jindal Steel & Power Ltd (JSPL), Tata Steel, Essar Steel and Monnet Ispat & Energy Ltd were discussed at the meeting.
Issues relating to mining, forest clearances, renewal of mining leases, expansion of the SAIL units long-term raw material linkages, e-auction of iron ore, environmental and other statutory clearances were deliberated.
“The state government has promptly acted on various issues and has provided necessary support for expansion of SAIL units and production capacity of steel in Odisha”, said SAIL chairman C S Verma.The state chief secretary J K Mohapatra stressed on adopting best practices of other states to maximize royalty earnings from iron ore.
He also urged state controlled miner Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and other lessees to utilize all the allotted mines for ensuring long-term raw material linkages to steel producing units.
