Iron ore supply unlikely to improve

The ore-starved steel industry in Karnataka is unlikely to see higher supply in the near future. The Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court has not endorsed the industry's appeal for a temporary increase in the permissible annual production from mines with leases. It has also opposed the state government's similar appeal, for raising the production cap from 30 mtpa to 40 mtpa. At present, only 18 mtpa of iron ore is available, as against the industry requirement of 40 mtpa.