The government of the South Indian state of Karnataka has approved a policy according to which the export of iron ore through small ports in the region will resume in 15 years, the government said in a statement on Friday, November 28.
The "Policy for Processing Iron Ore in Small Ports of Karnataka until 2025" has been approved to regulate the movement and processing of iron ore through secondary or medium-sized ports in Karnataka. the state, the statement said.
Exports from 10 non-major ports were suspended in 2010 due to widespread iron ore mining violations and large-scale illegal shipments. The ban was introduced under the provisions of the Karnataka Ports (Unloading and Shipping Charges) Act, 1961, as the authorities tried to curb illegal mining and transportation.
However, in 2022, the Supreme Court of India ruled that Karnataka could allow the export of iron ore through its secondary ports, provided that operations strictly comply with national policies and the same standards are followed throughout the country.
A recently approved policy at the state level establishes a regulatory path for resuming exports, ensuring stricter oversight and compliance with central guidelines. The government stated that this structure is designed to prevent violations seen in the past, while at the same time allowing legitimate trade to pass through non-major ports of Karnataka again.
