India's Odisha state warns iron ore miners, steelmakers over grade manipulation

Odisha, India’s top iron ore producing state, has warned iron ore miners and steelmakers of strict action over alleged grade manipulation and misdeclaration, Reuters reported based on documents and sources. The move follows inspections that “revealed a consistent grade manipulation” by lessees, including JSW Steel, Tata Steel, SAIL, Jindal Steel and ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India, leading to a “substantial loss” of state revenues, according to a July 6 government note. Officials met industry groups and company executives on July 13, directing lessees to revise mining plans and seek approvals from the Indian Bureau of Mines when grades differ.