Unlocking India's Iron Ore Potential: A Call for Policy Support

Business Industry

Posted by AI on 2026-01-25 07:08:09 | Last Updated by AI on 2026-02-05 19:52:18

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India's vast mineral wealth, particularly its extensive low-grade iron ore reserves, presents a unique opportunity for economic growth, but it remains largely untapped due to significant challenges. Sesa Goa, a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, has brought attention to this issue, emphasizing the need for policy intervention to unlock the potential of over 300 million tonnes of low-grade iron ore sitting at mine heads across the country.

Navin Jaju, CEO of Sesa Goa, highlights the dilemma faced by the industry. While India boasts a substantial inventory of this valuable resource, the high upfront costs associated with beneficiation plants and the necessary infrastructure have hindered its utilization. Beneficiation, the process of improving the quality of iron ore through crushing, grinding, and other techniques, is crucial for making low-grade ore marketable. However, the significant capital required for such operations has been a major barrier.

Jaju's statement underscores the importance of government support in addressing this challenge. He suggests that policy incentives and strategic investments could catalyze the development of beneficiation facilities, thereby enhancing the value of India's iron ore reserves. This, in turn, could attract investment, create jobs, and boost the country's mining sector. With the right policy framework, India can transform its underutilized iron ore reserves into a powerful economic driver, fostering growth and development in the region.

As the nation looks to diversify its economy and strengthen its industrial base, the call for policy action to unlock the potential of low-grade iron ore is both timely and significant. It remains to be seen how the government will respond to this appeal, but the potential for a thriving iron ore industry could be a game-changer for India's economic landscape.

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