India’s ministry of environment and forests gave Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL) environment clearance for the Greenfield iron ore mine. The ministry also granted the company expansion clearance for two other mines. The approval for Taldih, the new mine in Orissa, as well as the expansion of the two operational mines, Barsua and Kalta, paves the way for SAIL to raise its iron ore output. The company intends to increase its annual hot metal production from 14.6 million tons to 23.5 million tons. Iron ore output will increase from the current 3 million tns/yr to 8 million tns/yr in four to five years. INR 100 billion will be spent to revamp and expand all existing and new iron ore mines. SAIL requires a forest clearance above the environment clearance for the Greenfield mine which holds mineable reserves of 237.6 million tons.
