With mining leases on verge of expiry, higher iron ore imports on cards

In 2015, India embraced competitive auctions as the best long-term approach to clamp down on corruption after scandals over allotments of mines

The drumbeat of voices forecasting India could rely more on global markets for iron ore next year is getting louder.

Delays in auctions of mining leases that are due to expire in March are threatening to disrupt the country’s production of the key steel-making raw material 

and raising the prospect of higher imports, according to the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries.

“We see a bleak scenario as of now for the next year” for the mining industry and employment in the sector, R.K. Sharma, secretary general of the New Delhi-based industry group, said by phone Monday. “If we cannot produce, then we will