India’s supreme court has partially lifted a ban on iron ore mining in the state of Karnataka, according to media reports.
Companies with projects which cover more than 50 hectares will be allowed to restart mining after their environmental plans have been approved.
The state government of Karnataka, which has historically produced around 40 million tpy of iron ore for India’s export market, imposed a blanket ban on mining in the state in 2011 with the aim of curbing illegal operations.
The ban has
affected production at steelworks across southern India, however.
Indian iron ore miner
Vedanta reported a 25% drop in 2011 iron ore output year-on-year after the blanket mining ban was imposed.
Michelle Madsen
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