Maharashtra Eyes Six Iron Ore Mines in Gadchiroli for State-Owned Firm.

The Maharashtra government recently sought the allocation of six iron ore mines in Gadchiroli to the Maharashtra State Mining Corporation (MSMC), according to an official release.

Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis raised the demand during a meeting with Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy in Mumbai, stating that the move would help position Maharashtra as a major green steel hub.

Union Minister of State for Mines Satish Chandra Dubey, Maharashtra Minister of State for Mining Pankaj Bhoyar, and senior officials from both the Centre and the state were present at the meeting.

Fadnavis said that if the mines are allotted to the state corporation, they could be made operational within two years, with production expected to begin by 2030. He added that this would support India’s goal of becoming a steel-exporting nation.

He highlighted that Gadchiroli in eastern Maharashtra holds some of the country’s highest-grade iron ore reserves and has the potential to emerge as a major steel manufacturing and industrial hub. According to him, the region could attract investments of up to ₹3 lakh crore and generate large-scale employment opportunities.

The Chief Minister also pointed out that Gadchiroli is rich not only in iron ore but also in limestone and other minerals essential for steel production. He said the decline in Left Wing Extremism in the region has created a more favourable environment for industrial growth.

Fadnavis informed that the state is developing rail and freight connectivity linking Gadchiroli with Jawaharlal Nehru Port and the upcoming Vadhavan Port near Mumbai to support industrial expansion.

He said more than 40 mineral blocks are ready for auction in Maharashtra, while the process has begun for 14 of the 34 identified blocks. The state has set a target of producing 50 million tonnes of iron ore by 2030.

The Chief Minister said the proposed integrated steel ecosystem in Maharashtra could reduce production costs to below levels seen in China, adding that several domestic and international steel companies have shown interest in investing in the Gadchiroli region, where large tracts of land have already been acquired.

Fadnavis also noted that while nearly 500 mines have been auctioned across the country, only about 50 are operational, citing high premiums as a key challenge affecting viability. Drawing a comparison with Odisha, he sought approval for around 1,300 hectares of mining area for the state.

According to the statement, Union Minister G. Kishan Reddy responded positively to the proposals and directed the introduction of an automated sample-testing system to resolve disputes over coal quality and prevent financial losses to power generation companies.