India’s leading iron ore miner KIOCL will explore nine identified blocks for manganese and iron ore deposits in the southern state of Karnataka. The state-run company, Kudremukh Iron Ore Co (KIOCL) signed an agreement with Karnataka’s mining department for mineral exploration in nine manganese and iron ore blocks in Bellary and Chitradurga Districts on Dec 6. The estimated project cost is Rs81.53 crore ($11.4mn).
KIOCL engages in production of BF and DR grade pellets. It has an iron-oxide pellet plant with an annual capacity of 3.5mn mt and a blast furnace with capacity to manufacture 216,000mt/yr pig iron in Mangaluru, Karnataka.
($1= Rs70.90)