Goa government seeks Centre's nod to reduce export duty on iron ore

The Goa government on Saturday said it will take up the issue of slashing export duty on iron ore to facilitate the exports with the Centre.

"We will look into the matter by taking up the issue with the Union Mines Ministry," state Chief Minister Laxmikant Parsekar told reporters on Saturday. He said the Union government can either slash the duty from existing 10% to 5% or completely abolish it.

The state's mine owners recently had written to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, requesting him to abolish the export duty. Parsekar said the export duty which was earlier 30% was last year slashed to 10%, following the demand by the state government and the mine owners.

He said the state government is taking all possible steps to ensure that the mining is resumed in the state.

Goa produces iron ore with 55-58% Fe (ferrous content) and the state has traditionally been an exporter of low grade ore to China, until September, 2012, when the Supreme Court had banned mining in the state, following allegations of illegalities. The ban was lifted in April, 2014.