Mines Ministry propose scrapping export tax on iron pellets

Says govt could also look at abolishing duty on low-grade iron ore

The mines ministry has written to the finance ministry to propose scrapping a 5% export duty on iron ore pellets, Mines Secretary Balvinder Kumar told Reuters, adding the government could also look at abolishing duty on low-grade iron ore.

He said miners in Goa have written to him seeking the cancellation of the 10% duty on overseas shipments of iron ore from the state. Goa is known for low-grade ore used mainly by Chinese steel mills.

India was also looking at a request to raise the import duty on aluminium to 7.5% from 5% to protect local companies from rising supplies from countries like China.