PTI reported that Indian steel industry can achieve the targeted production of 200 million tonnes by 2020 if it uses widely available low and medium grade iron ore also

Advisor with the ministry of steel Mr ACR Das at a conclave held recently said that "The steel sector can only achieve its targeted steel production of 200 million tons by 2020 if it uses low and medium grade iron ore as it is available in abundance in comparison to high grade iron.”

He said that high grade iron ore, was environment friendly when compared to low and medium iron ore, but the sector was working toward resolving problems associated with iron ore.

While speaking at the conclave organised by South Asian Forum for Energy Efficiency, Mr Das said though steel was environment friendly compared to other metals, the only gray area in its production was the intensive use on energy.

The Working Group on steel sector for the 12th Five-Year Plan had assessed that steel production of the country will go up to 149 million tonnes per annum in 2016-17 from 89 million tonnes per annum likely in FY12.

The steel making capacity of the country stood at 78 million tonnes per annum in FY11.

The committee expects country's steel making capacity to go up to 104.66 million tonnes per annum in 2012-13, 119.01 million tonnes per annum in 2013-14, 129.39 million tonnes per annum in 2014-15, 140.57 in 2015-16 and to 149 million tonnes per annum in the final year of 12th Plan Period.

(Sourced from PTI)