Vedanta Urges Budget 2026-27 Policy Push for Low-Grade Iron Ore Beneficiation

• Vedanta's Sesa Goa has called for government incentives and policy support for low-grade iron ore beneficiation to make it economically viable.
• Beneficiation enhances low-quality iron ore by removing impurities, making it suitable for steel production and crucial for India's projected steel demand of 300 million tonnes by 2030.
• India possesses over 300 million tonnes of underutilised low-grade iron ore inventory at mine heads due to high beneficiation plant costs and infrastructure needs.
• Sesa Goa CEO Navin Jaju advocates for a beneficial duty or incentive structure and argues against export duties on low-grade ore, stressing the need for free pricing.
• The industry seeks tax credits, subsidised financing, and relaxed policies in the upcoming Union Budget to boost beneficiation capacity, currently under 20% of potential.

Why It Matters: Vedanta urges the government to incentivise low-grade iron ore beneficiation in Budget 2026-27 to boost domestic steel production.