Mines Min propose scrapping export tax on iron pellets

The mines ministry has written to the finance ministry to propose scrapping a 5 per cent export duty on iron ore pellets, Mines Secretary Balvinder Kumar said, adding the government could also look at abolishing duty on low-grade iron ore. He said miners in Goa have written to him seeking the cancellation of the 10 per cent duty on overseas shipments of iron ore from the state. Goa is known for low-grade ore used mainly by Chinese steel mills. India was also looking at a request to raise the import duty on aluminium to 7.5 per cent from 5 per cent to protect local companies from rising supplies from countries like China.