The Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI) has yet again stressed on the need for India to convert its huge resources of manganese ore and chrome ore into reserves to meet the ambitious target of 300 million tonnes of crude steel production capacities by 2030-31.
As per industry this target would require 11 million tonnes of manganese ore and 5 million tonnes of chrome ore by 2030-31 as per the National Steel Policy 2017.
‘Our country is endowed with huge resources of manganese ore to the tune of 504 million tonnes, and chrome ore 332 million tonnes.
It is thus necessary for India to convert this resources into reserves further to enhance the production of these mineral ore’ said Mr Vinay Kumar, Chairman Standing Committee for ferrous minerals, FIMI and Director (Technical), NMDC Limited.
Mr Kumar was speaking at the Manganese / Chrome Ores, Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide (EMD), Electrolytic Manganese Metal (EMM) and Ferro Alloys Summit held in Kolkata recently where Vizag Industrial Scan was media partner.
This he said would translate into additional consumption of manganese and chrome ore other than iron ore as essential raw material for steel making.
This can only be achieved when the manganese, chrome ore and ferro-alloys industry gears up and enhances its output before 2030.
With abundant resources and Government’s plans, there is huge potential in the Indian manganese/chrome ore and ferro-alloys sector.
‘I feel that there is urgent need to have enhanced focus for undertaking detailed exploration of manganese and chrome ore resources to establish the proven reserve to meet the growing domestic and international demand of ferroalloy’ said Mr Kumar.
In addition it was informed that there is need for creation of new grade bands for the effective utilization of very low-grade fraction of chrome ore particularly below 25% Cr2O3. The Two-Day Summit delved into various legislative issues, market trends, demand supply, future scenario and technological developments for reducing greenhouse gas emissions of the sector while also came up with inputs for formulating roadmap and action plan for revival and growth of the domestic manganese / chrome ore and ferro-alloys industry.
