Mr Beni Prasad Verma minister of steel has said that for the year 2011-12, the hot metal production plan of the Bhilai Steel Plant of the Steel Authority of India Limited is 5.8 million tonnes and iron ore requirement is 9.49 million tonnes.

In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha, he said that the existing iron ore mines of the Bhilai Steel Plant, at Dalli-Rajhara are depleting and are expected to last for about 5 to 6 years. After grant of necessary statutory clearances, state government of Chhattisgarh has granted mining lease of Rowghat Deposit- ‘F’ with an area of 2028.797 hectares in favour of SAIL, Bhilai Steel Plant on October 21st 2009.

Development of the Rowghat mine is getting delayed on account of security reasons. He said that no remaining area in the Rowghat deposit has been allotted to private steel manufacturers as informed by Government of Chhattisgarh.