India's Supreme Court has announced a partial mining ban affecting about half of the iron ore mines located in the Indian state of Odisha due to non-renewal of mining leases. The Supreme Court also said that several mines have been found to be operating without approval under the Environment Act. Operations of 26 iron ore mines in Odisha have been suspended until the licenses are renewed.
India's Ministry of Steel pointed out that more than 50 percent of iron ore requirements of the country is met from Odisha and a large number of iron ore leases in the state are granted for captive mining and the ore from the mines is being utilized for the manufacturing of steel in the plants of the lessees. The ministry added that closure of mining operations due to delay in decisions by the state government on mining lease renewal applications may adversely affect the availability of critical raw materials like iron ore for domestic value addition industry, including the steel sector.