Iron ore capacity under-utilisation in major-producing states prompt concerns as India sets 2047 target

NEW DELHI With India’s iron ore demand projected to rise to 772 million tonnes (MT) by 2047, miners in Odisha, the country’s largest iron ore reserve holder, are yet to utilise nearly 40% of their existing capacities, raising concerns over resource wastage and potential revenue losses.

The issue has come under judicial scrutiny, with both the Supreme Court earlier this month and the Odisha High Court in January flagging the underutilisation of mining capacities.

Mining amendment is unfair to States Mining amendment is unfair to States A State that bears the infrastructural and social consequences of mineral extraction must retain a meaningful stake in the economic value generated from its natural resources Mining amendment is unfair to States storyline 1 The Odisha High Court, while agreeing with petitioners who highlighted the sluggish operationalisation of mines despite environmental clearances, observed that the delay had resulted in an average annual revenue loss of ₹4,000 crore to the State.