BHP contemplates mining Indian ore

BHP contemplates mining Indian ore

Representatives from Australian iron ore miner BHP Billiton recently arrived in India to scout for opportunities to expand the company's mining operations into India. BHP billion already supplies iron ore and coal to major Indian steelmakers such as Steel Authority of India Ltd. (SAIL) and Tata Steel Ltd., so opening domestic mines would significantly reduce transportation costs for the Australian miner. Indian mines would also provide the company the chance to market its products to China at a lower cost. Indian ore sold through the spot market to China has been a threat for the company in 2005.