Exports of iron ore from India, once the world's third-biggest supplier, fell more than 40 per cent in the April-June quarter, mainly because of a slowing China as well falling global prices.
A 30 per cent export duty imposed by the government led to a further drop in overseas sales, making Indian ores less attractive compared with Brazil or Australia.
Iron ore exports fell to 12.11 million tonnes or worth Rs 523600 crore in the first quarter of the fiscal year, a statement from ministry of mines said quoting data from the finance ministry.
India exported 57.35 million tonnes of iron ore in the last fiscal to March 2012, own 42 per cent from the year ago period, the statement said. Indian miners have been selling iron ore at low profits or even loss as global iron ore prices declined 36 per cent since early July.
On Monday, the Supreme Court allowed 18 mines in Karnataka to resume production, that could free about five million tonnes of output mainly for steel makers along with 1 million tonnes a month from NMDC, the country's biggest iron ore miner.
Copyright@Thomson Reuters 2012
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