JOIN USNo last word on whether mineral reserves will last
That the high-value iron ore mineral resource has been plundered is an officially accepted fact. The big question on everyone’s mind is: How long will the existing reserves last.
The State mines and geology department and the Union ministry of steel have different takes on the crucial question.
According to Susmita Dasgupta, joint chief economist (economic research unit) of the Union ministry of steel, iron ore deposits have almost exhausted.
“People resorted to irresponsible mining as the resource was getting over. Deposits have touched the rock bottom. This was the reason why the quality of ore went down in the last few years,” she said.
However, H R Srinivasa, Director of the State mines and geology department, said there was enough resource and iron ore deposits will last for another 170 years in the State.
“Due to lack of proper understanding, some people think that the resource has exhausted. We have, so far, not mined beyond 50 metres. So, we have plenty of resource,” he stated.
The two officials were speaking at the annual conference on ‘Rebuilding Karnataka’s Iron Ore Mining and Steel Making Capabilities.’
According to R N Patra, director-in-charge (Karnataka and Goa) of the Geological Survey of India, the iron ore resource in the country, all grades put together, will last for another 1,000 years. The country has abundant deposits of iron ore. But the quality is low. Hence, pelletisation (value addition) is the only way out for the industry, he said.
Al-Qaeda-like network
Dasgupta equated the mining mafia in the State, as reported in the Lokayukta reports on illegal mining, with the dreaded terrorist organisation Al-Qaeda. “They were better organised than Al-Qaeda. It would put even Al-Qaeda to shame,” she said.
She called upon the iron and steel industry to do a re-think on excess dependence on
raw material for their survival.
“Going by the way the sector operates in Japan and some European countries, availability of raw material is really not an important factor for steel production,” she said.