Gadchiroli pitched as Maharashtra’s future green steel hub India set to drive next global steel demand wave Italy crude steel output rises 3.1% in May Green steel progress remains slow worldwide
India’s smaller steel manufacturers are raising concerns over the Centre’s proposal to eliminate area limits on mining leases, warning it could lead to market domination by large players. The proposed amendment to the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957, seeks to remove restrictions on the total mining area a company can hold for key minerals, including iron ore.
Smaller firms and industry associations argue that scrapping the cap would allow large corporations to accumulate vast mining resources, marginalizing smaller players and disrupting supply access. They fear this could lead to artificial scarcity in the market, inflated raw material costs, and reduced competitiveness for mid-sized and emerging steel producers.
Industry voices emphasize that while increasing efficiency and resource development is important, fair access to raw materials must be preserved to ensure a balanced and competitive steel ecosystem. The government has opened the proposal for public consultation, inviting feedback from stakeholders before proceeding with policy changes.
This debate highlights the ongoing tension between encouraging large-scale investment and safeguarding equitable industry participation in India's fast-evolving steel and mining sectors.
Also Read : PM Modi is all set to inaugurate 112 national highway projects worth ₹1 lakh cr across India PM Modi to launch key infra projects of Central Coalfields Limited
Nomura Research predicts that India’s safeguard duty on steel imports will drive up domestic s...
Business 08-Mar-2025
According to the power ministry, India met a record maximum power demand of 250 GW, due to a combina...
Energy 31-May-2024
ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India Ltd (AM/NS India) took control of a 16 million tonne (MT) capacity...
Logistics 10-Apr-2024
China’s steel sector is showing an unusual divergence between production and raw material dema...
China 17-Dec-2025
For the first time since 1960s, the share of coal in India's total power generation capacity fell be...
Ferrous 15-May-2024
The Trump administration is considering easing some tariffs on steel- and aluminium-linked goods, si...
US 13-Feb-2026