Tata Steel to gain from Odisha move to raise area limit for iron ore mines

The Odisha government has recommended to the Centre to shift the bar on the area to be held by an iron ore mine lessee from 10 sq km to 75 sq km, a move which is expected to benefit the steel giant Tata Steel in the upcoming auction of iron ore blocks in the state.

Odisha is currently readying to auction two more iron ore mines Chandiposhi and Purheibahal in April, this year. The state had earlier auctioned three iron ore blocks. All these were meant for end-user industries.

"Among the participants in the previous auctions, Tata Steel was the only bidder