Coal India enters iron ore mining after Odisha block win

Synopsis

Coal India secured the Gadadharpur iron ore block in Odisha. This acquisition marks the state-run miner's entry into iron ore mining. India's iron ore production is projected to increase significantly by 2026-27. Odisha's rising output will support planned steel capacity additions. This will also bolster infrastructure and construction demand across the nation.

Coal India enters iron ore mining after Odisha block win

Coal India has won the Gadadharpur iron ore block in the eastern state of Odisha through a competitive auction, the state's director ‌of ⁠mines and ⁠geology, Rohit Kumar Lenka, said on Thursday.

The block contains 258 million tonnes of iron ore resources and marks the state-run miner's entry into iron ⁠ore mining, ‌according to commodities consultancy BigMint.

India, ​the world's second-largest ⁠crude steel producer after China, is ​expected to produce 340 million ​to 345 million metric tons of iron ore in 2026-27, up from about 316 million tons a ‌year earlier, according to BigMint.

Odisha is one of India's ​key ​mineral-producing states, ⁠and rising iron ore output is expected to support planned steelmaking capacity ​additions, as well as infrastructure and construction demand.