With iron-ore mining not taking place in states like Karnataka and Goa, and Odisha producing a negligible amount of the raw material, the Federation of Indian Mineral Industries (FIMI), which is the industry body of mineral companies, on Tuesday said that the day is not far when India would become a net importer of iron-ore by the end of current fiscal itself.
This, it said, would be largely due to mining ban in some states which has led to lower production and falling exports, coupled with higher duties.