Ari Dongri iron ore mine wins expansion approval

OREANDA-NEWS. India's Godavari Power and Ispat said the federal environment ministry has allowed it to expand its Ari Dongri iron ore mine in Chhattisgarh state as it aims to double output.

Mining in the additional 32.36 hectares (0.3km?) area at Ari Dongri will start in the next two to three months, allowing it to double its iron ore output to 1.4mn t/yr from the current 700,000 t/yr. Godavari will meet its entire iron ore needs through the expansion.

Godavari currently produces 200,000 t/yr or billet and 495,000 t/yr of sponge iron, while it has an iron ore pellet production capacity of 1.2mn t/yr. It is seeking to add another 1.5mn t/yr pelletisation capacity but did not indicate any timeframe.