Page 11 - Mining Industry

Revenue implication of Rs 4,162 cr as Odisha's iron-ore grade declined: CAG

The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) which conducted an audit of six iron-ore mines in Odisha has observed that after the auction of the selected mines, there was an "abrupt and abnormal decline in the grade of iron-ore and its classification", as reported by new lessees. "The decline of grade of iron ore has resulted in a revenue implication of approximately Rs 4,162.77 crore for the financial years 2020-21 and 2021-22 in the form of lesser royalty and premium (post auction)", the CAG said in its report No 6 of the year 2024, which was laid before the Odisha Assembly on Wednesday. Though more than 83 per cent production was reported in the grade of 62-65 per cent Fe (iron) in the pre-auction period, the same came down to approximately 16 per cent in the two years after auction (2020-2022), it said. Similarly, the auditor said, the share of grades 60 per cent Fe and below went up from approximately 11 per cent of total production to more than 60 per cent of total ...

NLC India aims to start early mining of Odisha's Machhakata coal block

State-owned NLC India Ltd is aiming to start the mining of Machhakata coal block in Odisha ahead of schedule. Machhakata coal block is the second commercial coal block and the biggest among the NLCIL's mining projects. NLC India Ltd (NLCIL) had emerged as the successful bidder for Machhakata (Revised) coal block in Angul district of Odisha under the commercial coal block e-auction held in July. The Machhakata coal block, having reserves of 1.4 billion tonnes (BT), with average Grade of G10-G11, and capacity of 30 MTPA, is expected to be one among the top five biggest mines in the country, NLCIL said in a statement. "NLCIL aims to commence the mining ahead of schedule. This marks another milestone towards realising NLCIL's Corporate Plan 2030," the statement added. Machhakata Coal Block's vesting order was issued on Thursday. The company had earlier said that it is committed to its capacity addition in line with its vision of achieving more than 100 million tonnes per annum (MTPA)

SC ruling on royalties to affect profitability of mining companies: Moody's

Moody's Ratings has said the Supreme Court ruling on royalties and taxes will be credit negative for mining companies like Tata Steel, UltraTech Cement, and Vedanta Resources Ltd, as it will dent their cash flows and affect their profitability. In a major victory for mineral-rich states, the Supreme Court had on August 14 allowed them to seek dues from April 1, 2005 on royalty and tax on mineral rights and mineral-bearing land from the Centre in a staggered period of 12 years. "The retrospective taxes are credit negative for companies with mining operations in India such as Tata Steel Ltd (Baa3 stable), UltraTech Cement Ltd (Baa3 stable), JSW Steel Ltd (Ba1 stable) and Vedanta Resources Ltd (Caa3 negative) because the instalment payments will dent their cash flows," Moody's Ratings said in a statement. "These companies will have to pay state taxes going forward that will hurt their profitability," it said. "While the companies' retrospective taxes could be significant, the effect o

Volume rebound, moderate valuation positive for mining major NMDC

NMDC spent Rs 400 crore on capex in Q1 against the annual target of Rs 2,200 crore for FY25

SC verdict to hit mining firms; Tata Steel, JSW Steel to see lower profits

Tata Steel, JSW Steel, and other companies may see higher costs and reduced profitability from new state-imposed mining taxes, leading to inflation, following a Supreme Court decision

Local manufacturing will offer 25K cr annual opportunity for vendors: ICRA

Currently, India imports nearly 50 per cent of its component requirement (by value) from suppliers based out of China, Japan, and South Korea, among others

Govt makes offshore mineral rules stricter but eases awarding process

The mines ministry has identified 10 offshore mineral blocks for potential auction and is holding inter-ministerial consultation to secure approval

Mining companies' operating costs could surge after SC ruling, says Fitch

India's top court late last month upheld the right for state governments to levy taxes on minerals extraction and last week allowed them to do so retrospectively

Best of BS Opinion: Legal system reform, Crimes against women and more

Here is the best of Business Standard's opinion pieces for today

Retrospective taxes set to cost mining industry Rs 1.5 trillion in arrears

Nifty Metal index dropped by 2.4%, and key players like NMDC, Hindustan Copper, and JSW Steel saw their shares fall between 2% and 6% following the SC judgment on Wednesday

Provisioned, expect limited impact from SC's ruling, say metal majors

Mining industry hit estimated at Rs 1.5 to Rs 2 trillion, companies to closely watch states for next move

SC ruling on mining royalty to impact industry with Rs 2 trillion arrears

Industry experts say that the retrospective tax ruling will have a ripple effect on supply chain part of other industries as well

SC order allowing states to collect past dues to hurt miners: Govt official

India's Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed state governments to collect mining companies' tax dues pending from April 1, 2005

Govt awards 18 of 28 coal mines to leading private mining companies

The government on Tuesday said of the 28 coal mining projects identified to be operated through mining operators-cum-developers, 18 mines have been awarded to leading private firms. The engagement of these mining developers-cum-operators (MDOs) promises to make substantial contributions to coal production, ensuring both enhanced output and operational excellence. "Initially, CIL (Coal India) identified 15 coal mine projects with a combined capacity of 168 MT (million tonnes) for MDO implementation. This number has now expanded to 28 projects (18 opencast and 10 underground mines) with a total capacity of 257 MT. As of today, 18 mines have been awarded to leading private parties, marking a significant milestone in this ambitious endeavour," the coal ministry said in a statement. The primary goal of engaging MDOs is to significantly increase coal production by streamlining operations, enhancing productivity, and reducing mining costs. These operators, selected through open global ..

Residents of Serbia's lithium-rich region pledge to block EU-backed mining

Zlatko Kokanovic does not want a lithium mine in his backyard and he will do anything he can to stop it from opening. All of us here, we are ready to lose our lives," the 48-year farmer told The Associated Press. "They can shoot. That is the only way they can open the mine. At stake is a lush farming valley in western Serbia that holds one of Europe's richest deposits of lithium, a precious metal that is used to make batteries for electric cars and is crucial for the global transition to green energy. Whether there should be a mine in the valley or not has become one of the most contentious issues in the Balkan nation, triggering protests by thousands of people in a challenge to the populist President Aleksandar Vucic. While the government insists the mine is an opportunity for economic development, critics say it would inflict irreparable pollution on the Jadar valley, along with underground water reserves, farm land and two small rivers that run through the valley. Thousands are

385 mines auctioned since 2015, only 50 operational; challenges persist

The government said the amendments made in the MMDR Act have led to speedy auction and production from mines

'DGMS focuses on safety amid increase in commercial coal mine auctions'

With more commercial mines being auctioned, the DGMS has started discussions with captive and commercial coal block operators on mine safety, an official said on Sunday. The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) emphasises ensuring adherence to safety norms among new players. "We see more captive and commercial mines coming into production every year. So, we are actively engaging in consultation with the mine operators so that they understand the rules and regulations that have to be followed for mine safety," DGMS Director General Prabhat Kumar said at the Mines Safety Award 2024 event. In the last nine rounds, the Ministry of Coal has auctioned 107 blocks with a peak-rated capacity of 256 MT. So far, 11 commercial coal blocks have been operationalised. Meanwhile, Coal India, which is diversifying into the non-coal sector, will actively participate in more auctions of critical mineral blocks, including lithium, to capitalise on the battery value chain. "We have taken one min

International Seabed Authority to conduct polls amid deep-sea mining debate

A UN body that regulates deep international waters is preparing to elect its next leader, a crucial position as it faces pressure to either ban, approve or place a moratorium on seabed mining. The upcoming election comes as the Jamaica-based International Seabed Authority ended a two-week session on Friday without reaching a consensus on a regulatory framework for deep-sea mining. The drawn-out debate raises concerns that the authority could receive an application later this year seeking the first deep sea mining exploitation license without having rules or regulations in place. The Metals Company, a Canadian-based mining company, is largely expected to be the first to apply for such a license. Mining exploration has been ongoing in the Clarion-Clipperton Fracture Zone, which covers 1.7 million square miles (4.5 million square kilometers) between Hawaii and Mexico. It is occurring at depths ranging from 13,000 to 19,000 feet (4,000 to 6,000 meters). However, no exploitation licens

Vedanta Resources seeks partners to develop Zambia mines it's regaining

The company seeks partners to carry out exploration, development and production as part of a $1 billion investment plan at the Konkola Copper Mines assets, it said

Budget 2024: FinMin announces Critical Mineral Mission; what we know so far

Union Budget 2024: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced the government will soon conduct the first round of offshore mineral auction round under the Critical Mineral Mission