Sesa Goa said that iron ore exports from India, usually the world's third biggest supplier of the steel making ingredient, may fall by a third to 65 to 70 million tonnes in the year to March 2012.

Mr PK Mukherjee MD of Sesa Goa said that Goa, which was the top exporter last year, may ship 45 to 50 million tonnes, down from 54.42 million tonnes in the year earlier period. He added that any mining ban in the state would hit exports from Goa.

Mr Mukherjee said that "If you see Goa's contribution, then you can work out what impact a ban can have on exports.”

(Sourced from Reuters)