Karnataka may have 27-28 operating iron ore mines this fiscal

Karnataka is likely to have 27-28 iron ore mines operating in the year to March 2014, up from nine currently, a top government official told Reuters.

"Eight-nine mines can be opened immediately this month provided Supreme Court allows that," said H R Srinivasa, director at the state's department of mines and geology.

The state is expected to mine 30 million tonnes of iron ore this fiscal year, he added.