Iron ore exports down to 75.11 mn tonne in Apr-Jan

India's iron ore exports declined to 75.11 million tonne during April-January of the current fiscal due to the export ban imposed by Karnataka, Parliament was informed today.

The country, which is the world's third-largest iron ore exporter, has shipped 117.37 million tonne 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 tonne 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% ad valorem.