Lok Sabha Question No. 2436 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-16
Subject: Iron Ores Reserves
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Rahul Kaswan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2436

ANSWERED ON 16.03.2022

## IRON ORES RESERVES

†2436.  SHRI RAHUL KASWAN:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has done any assessment of the total requirement for iron ore in the country keeping in view the demand of domestic industry and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the Geological Survey of India has done any survey about the total deposits of the iron ore in the country and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) the State-wise details of the iron ore extracted and produced during the current year; and
- (d) whether the present availability of iron ore in the country is adequate to cater to the domestic demand and if not, the response of the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

- (a): As per the National Steel Policy 2017, it has been projected that for 300 million tonnes of crude steel capacity by the year 2030-31, the demand for iron ore would be 437 million tonnes.
- (b):  The  Government has taken initiatives to explore more and more minerals. The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has been giving emphasis on mineral exploration to augment mineral resource in tune with the thrust given by the Government. GSI carries out 'reconnaissance survey' [G4], 'preliminary exploration' [G3] and 'general exploration'  [G2]  following  the  United  Nations  Framework  Classification  (UNFC) guidelines with an aim to augment resource for various mineral commodities including iron ore. In practice, the resource bearing G2/G3 reports are being handed over to the concerned State Governments for auctioning of mineral concession. Recently, following the Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Amendment Rules 2021, GSI has handed over geological memorandum to the concerned State governments for auctioning as composite  licence.  Since  the  Mines  and  Minerals  (Development  and  Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, GSI has augmented 1470.20 million tonne iron ore resource in the country. The details of iron ore exploration carried out by GSI in last 3 years and current field season 2021-22 is provided at Table-1 in Annexure-I.
- (c): The production of iron ore in the current year i.e. 2021-22 (April-January) (P) is provided  at  Table-2  in  Annexure-II.  The  State-wise  reserves/resources  of  iron  ore

(Haematite  &  Magnetite)  as  on  01.04.2015  is  provided  at  Table-3  and  Table-4 respectively in Annexure-II.

(d): As per the Annual Report 2020-21, Ministry of Steel, the production of crude steel was 99.570 million tonnes during the year 2020 while the production of iron ore was 204.482  million  tonnes  during  the  year  2020-21(P)  which  is  adequate  to  meet  the current demand/requirement by domestic iron & steel industry. The Production, Import, Export and Closing Stock of Iron ore in the country during 2018-19 to 2020-21(P) is provided at Table-5 in Annexure-III.

*****

## Annexure-I referred to in reply to LS USQ No. 2436 answered on 16.03.2022 regarding 'IRON ORES RESERVES'

Table 1: Details of iron ore exploration by GSI during last 3 years and current field season 202122

|   Sl. No | FS Year   | Regio n   | State          | District                            | Name of Mineral Block / Area/ Belt   | UNFC Stage   | Mineral Commodity                    |
|----------|-----------|-----------|----------------|-------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------|--------------------------------------|
|        1 | 2018-19   | CR        | MH             | Sindhudurg Vaghmala and Morle areas | G4                                   |              | Chromite, nickel, iron and manganese |
|        2 |           | CR        | CH             | Mahasamun d                         | Gopalpur                             | G4           | Iron                                 |
|        3 |           | CR        | MP             | Singrauli                           | Birkuniya - Barawani - Chatri area   | G4           | Gold, Iron                           |
|        4 |           | ER        | Odisha         | Sundargarh                          | Alaghat West                         | G2           | Iron                                 |
|        5 |           | ER        | Odisha         | Kendujhar                           | Nuagan West                          | G2           | Iron                                 |
|        6 |           | ER        | Odisha         | Sundargarh                          | Kedesala north-east                  | G3           | Iron                                 |
|        7 |           | ER        | Jharkhand      | West Singhbnum                      | Baraiburu                            | G3           | Iron and Manganese                   |
|        8 |           | ER        | Odisha         | Kendujhar and Sundargarh            | Gandhalpada West                     | G3           | Iron                                 |
|        9 |           | ER        | Odisha         | Sambalpur                           | Tikiba-Phasimal- Ardapal             | G4           | Iron and Manganese                   |
|       10 |           | SR        | Andhra Pradesh | Ananthapur                          | Obulapuram                           | G4           | Iron                                 |
|       11 |           | SR        | Telangana      | Karimnagar                          | Dumalkunta and Ragampet              | G4           | Iron                                 |
|       12 |           | SR        | Telangana      | Karimnagar                          | Gollapalli                           | G4           | Iron                                 |
|       13 |           | CR        | Madhya Pradesh | Sidhi                               | Gandhigram                           | G3           | Iron                                 |
|       14 |           | CR        | Maharashtra    | Sindhudurg                          | Ambadgaon-Matna                      | G4           | Iron                                 |
|       15 |           | ER        | Odisha         | Mayurbhanj                          | Badampahar- Suleipat Jashipur        | G4           | Iron                                 |
|       16 |           | ER        | Odisha         | Sundergarh                          | Patamunda (North)                    | G3           | Manganese and Iron                   |
|       17 |           | ER        | Odisha         | Kendujhar                           | Kendudihi North                      | G3           | Iron                                 |
|       18 |           | ER        | Odisha         | Kendujhar                           | Uliburu                              | G4           | Iron and manganese                   |
|       19 |           | ER        | Odisha         | Keonjhar                            | Gandhalpada West                     | G2           | Iron                                 |
|       20 |           | ER        | Jharkhand      | West Singhbhum                      | Kumdi                                | G4           | Iron and manganese                   |
|       21 |           | ER        | Jharkhand      | West Singhbhum                      | Kadaph                               | G4           | Iron and manganese                   |
|       22 |           | ER        | Jharkhand      | West Singhbhum                      | Marang Ponga - Kodalibad - Tholkabad | G4           | Iron and manganese                   |
|       23 |           | ER        | Jharkhand      | West Singhbhum                      | Karampada west                       | G3           | Iron and manganese                   |
|       24 |           | ER        | Jharkhand      | West Singhbhum                      | Karampada east                       | G3           | Iron and manganese                   |
|       25 | 2019-20   | ER        | Bihar          | Jamui                               | Majos                                | G2           | Iron                                 |
|       26 |           | ER        | Odisha         | Kendujhar                           | Laupada                              | G2           | Iron                                 |
|       27 |           | ER        | Odisha         | Kendujhar                           | Putulipani                           | G2           | Iron                                 |
|       19 |           | NR        | Andhra         | Kurnool                             | Block 'B',                           | G3           |                                      |
|       29 |           |           | Uttar Pradesh  | Hills Sonbhadra                     | Bharhari                             |              | Iron                                 |
|       30 |           | SR        | pradesh        |                                     | Veldurthy                            | G3           | Iron                                 |
|       31 |           | SR        | Andhra pradesh | Prakasam                            | Juvvikunta and Pedda Alvalapadu      | G4           | Iron                                 |

|   Sl. No | FS Year   | Regio n   | State                                      | District                                        | Name of Mineral Block / Area/ Belt   | UNFC Stage   | Mineral Commodity            |
|----------|-----------|-----------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------|--------------|------------------------------|
|       32 | 2020-21   | SR        | Andhra pradesh                             | Prakasam                                        | Ayyaavaripalle- Chundi- Malakonda    | G4           | Iron                         |
|       33 |           | SR        | Andhra pradesh                             | Kadapa                                          | Letapalle                            | G4           | Iron                         |
|       34 |           | SR        | Andhra pradesh                             | Kadapa                                          | Nagayapalle- Konduru                 | G4           | Iron                         |
|       35 |           | SR        | Telangana, Andhra Pradesh and Chhattisgarh | Bhadradri- Kothagudem , East Godavari and Sukma | Gottugudem- Kondipalle               | G4           | Iron                         |
|       36 |           | SR        | Karnataka                                  | Haveri                                          | Masur- Kanvi Siddageri               | G4           | Manganese and low grade iron |
|       37 |           | SR        | Karnataka                                  | Haveri and Davangere                            | Chikka- Gonageri- Govinahallu        | G4           | Manganese and low grade iron |
|       38 |           | SR        | Karnataka                                  | Shimoga                                         | Hittala-Gilalagundi                  | G4           | Manganese and low grade iron |
|       39 |           | SR        | Karnataka                                  | Uttar Karnataka                                 | Devanmane and Gumlagaddde            | G4           | Manganese and low grade iron |
|       40 |           | SR        | Andhra Pradesh                             | Chittoor                                        | Gadanki and Bommayyapalli            | G4           | Iron                         |
|       41 |           | SR        | Andhra Pradesh                             | Ananthapur                                      | Obulapuram                           | G4           | Iron                         |
|       42 |           | WR        | Rajasthan                                  | Jaipur                                          | Banol                                | G4           | Iron                         |
|       43 |           | WR        | Rajasthan                                  | Jaipur                                          | Morija                               | G4           | Iron                         |
|       44 |           | ER        | Odisha                                     | Kendujhar                                       | Jajang                               | G2           | Iron and manganese           |
|       45 |           | ER        | Odisha                                     | Kendujhar                                       | Jalahuri                             | G2           | Iron and manganese           |
|       46 |           | ER        | Odisha                                     | Kendujhar                                       | Roida-I                              | G2           | Iron                         |
|       47 |           | ER        | Odisha                                     | Kendujhar                                       | Chormalda                            | G4           | Manganese and iron           |
|       48 |           | ER        | Odisha                                     | Kendujhar                                       | Balita and Inganijharan              | G4           | Iron and manganese           |
|       49 |           | ER        | Odisha                                     | Sundargarh                                      | Patamunda East                       | G3           | Iron and manganese           |
|       50 |           | WR        | Rajasthan                                  | Jaipur                                          | Morija                               | G3           | Iron                         |
|       51 | 2021-22   | SR        | Karnataka                                  | Haveri and Devanagere                           | Melabennur                           | G4           | Iron, manganese, cobalt      |
|       52 |           | ER        | Bihar                                      | Jamui                                           | Bhanta                               | G3           | Iron                         |

## Annexure-II

Annexure-II referred to in reply to LS USQ No. 2436 answered on 16.03.2022 regarding 'IRON ORES RESERVES'

Table 2: State-wise Production of iron ore during the year 2021-22 (April-January) (Qty in '000 tonnes)

| State            | 2021-22 (April-January) (P)   |
|------------------|-------------------------------|
| Andhra Pradesh   | 266                           |
| Chhattisgarh     | 32,315                        |
| Goa              | 0                             |
| Jharkhand        | 20,680                        |
| Karnataka        | 33,911                        |
| Madhya Pradesh   | 5,504                         |
| Maharashtra      | 664                           |
| Odisha           | 1,09,675                      |
| Rajasthan        | 1,020                         |
| Telnagana        | 0                             |
| All India: Total | 2,04,035                      |

(P): Provisional; Source: IBM, MCDR returns

Table 3: State wise Reserves/resources of Iron ore (Haematite) as on 01.04.2015

(Qty in '000 tonnes)

| State          | Reserves   | Remaining Resources   | Total Resources   |
|----------------|------------|-----------------------|-------------------|
| Andhra Pradesh | 29,768     | 3,11,294              | 3,41,062          |
| Assam          | 0          | 12,600                | 12,600            |
| Bihar          | 0          | 55                    | 55                |
| Chhattisgarh   | 13,87,437  | 34,70,687             | 48,58,124         |
| Goa            | 3,58,239   | 8,31,075              | 11,89,313         |
| Jharkhand      | 4,39,372   | 48,47,045             | 52,86,417         |
| Karnataka      | 5,50,247   | 19,16,607             | 24,66,854         |
| Madhya Pradesh | 62,063     | 2,67,900              | 3,29,963          |
| Maharashtra    | 17,241     | 2,76,862              | 2,94,103          |
| Meghalaya      | 0          | 225                   | 225               |
| Odisha         | 25,72,217  | 49,86,447             | 75,58,664         |
| Rajasthan      | 4,658      | 33,745                | 38,404            |
| Telangana      | 509        | 52,673                | 53,181            |
| Uttar Pradesh  | 0          | 58,000                | 58,000            |
| Total          | 54,21,751  | 1,70,65,214           | 2,24,86,965       |

Figures rounded off; Source: IBM, National Mineral Inventory (as on 01.04.2015)

Table 4: State wise Reserves/resources of Iron ore (Magnetite) as on 01.04.2015

(Qty in '000 tonnes)

Annexure-III

## Annexure-III referred to in reply to LS USQ No. 2436 answered on 16.03.2022 regarding 'IRON ORES RESERVES'

## Table 5: Production, Import, Export and Closing Stock of Iron ore in India during 2018-19 to 202021(P)

(Quantity in Million Tonnes)

| Year        |   Production |   Import |   Export |   Closing Stock |
|-------------|--------------|----------|----------|-----------------|
| 2018-19     |       206.5  |    12.81 |    16.15 |          162.64 |
| 2019-20 (P) |       244.08 |     1.25 |    36.63 |          145.47 |
| 2020-21 (P) |       204.48 |     0.77 |    57.72 |          120.98 |

Source: IBM; (P): Provisional

| State          | Reserves   | Remaining Resources   | Total Resources   |
|----------------|------------|-----------------------|-------------------|
| Andhra Pradesh | 0          | 13,92,098             | 13,92,098         |
| Assam          | 0          | 15,380                | 15,380            |
| Bihar          | 0          | 2,659                 | 2,659             |
| Chhattisgarh   | 11,183     | 42                    | 11,225            |
| Goa            | 4,990      | 2,61,345              | 2,66,336          |
| Jharkhand      | 0          | 10,667                | 10,667            |
| Karnataka      | 446        | 78,01,744             | 78,02,190         |
| Kerala         | 0          | 83,435                | 83,435            |
| Maharashtra    | 583        | 302                   | 885               |
| Meghalaya      | 0          | 3,380                 | 3,380             |
| Nagaland       | 0          | 5,280                 | 5,280             |
| Odisha         | 74         | 79                    | 152               |
| Rajasthan      | 35,423     | 5,81,493              | 6,16,916          |
| Tamil Nadu     | 0          | 5,07,037              | 5,07,037          |
| Telangana      | 0          | 71,514                | 71,514            |
| Total          | 52,699     | 1,07,36,455           | 1,07,89,155       |

Figures rounded off; Source: IBM, National Mineral Inventory (as on 01.04.2015)

******