5371 million tonnes iron ore deposit in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Nov 14 (UNI) Orissa has a total iron ore deposit of 5,372 million tonnes as on October 2006, Steel and Mines Minister Padmanav Behera told the Assembly today.

Replying to a question of BJD member Damodar Rout, the Minister said so far 14 companies have submitted their financial closure and become eligible for grant of mining lease.

Mr Behera said the requirement of these 14 companies who had signed the MoU with the Orissa government for setting up of steel plants would be 288 million tonnes for 25 years.

The Minister claimed that the large scale mining would not cause any adverse impact on the environment if the mining operation was carried out with latest technology as per the mining plan duly approved by the Indian Bureau of Mines.

He said the state government was committed to strict implementation of the stipulation on environmental conservation suggested by the Ministry of Environment and Forest while granting forest as well as environment clearance of the mines.

UNI DP KK RN1806