The state government has decided to request the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to raise the iron ore mining cap in the state from 30 million tonnes to between 50 MT and 54 MT.

Speaking after a meeting with Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, Minister for Mines and Geology Vinay Kulkarni said steel industries in the state have also requested for an increase in the cap. “JSW Steel alone has placed a request for 20-22 million tonnes of iron ore. By the year 2020, there will be a demand for anywhere around 54 million tonnes of iron ore.

Sources in the chief minister's office said Siddaramaiah has asked officials to submit a plan of action before submitting a request for increasing the cap. Sources also said that it was also decided to revive the non-functional special purpose vehicle (SPV) for mining in the state.

State to request CEC to raise cap on iron ore mining