The country, which is the world's third largest iron ore exporter, has shipped 117.37 million tonnes of the vital steel making raw material in 2009-10, Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jyotiraditya Scindia said in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha.

In July last year, Karnataka government had slapped the ban in the midst of a controversy generated over illegal mining activities in the state. Karnataka is one of the largest iron ore exporter of the country.

"In July 2010, Karnataka imposed a ban on the export of iron ore from Karnataka. As a result, export of iron ore from India come down...to 75.11 million tonnes in 2010-11 (April-January)," he said.

India has been exporting iron ore to China, Japan, South Korea, Europe and other countries, he said, adding the country mainly exports iron ore fines that are not used by the domestic steel industry.

In the Union Budget 2011-12, the government has enhanced the export duty on iron ore lumps and fines to 20 per cent ad valorem.