Mining body Fimi urges help for Karnataka iron ore extractors

Ore consumers say price cut not enough; Pellet capacities are making losses

With Karnataka iron ore mining companies unable to clear their stocks, the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (Fimi) is asking the Supreme Court (SC) for permission to export ore pellets.

Its letter informing the Union commerce ministry of this also says purchasers of ore should utilise the commodity produced in Karnataka before procuring from outside the state or importing. And, that any import of ore should also be discouraged, being a strain on Gross Domestic Product, carbon-negative and leading to foreign exchange outflow.

“Capacity utilisation of pellet producers of Karnataka has fallen to 60 per cent, from 100 per cent earlier. It