The prospects for iron-ore deposits in West Bengal hinges on an impending report by the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), officials said on Tuesday.

"We had done preliminary exploration and sent the samples from Belpahari in Purulia district to IBM, Nagpur. The report is expected by January," WBMDTC Chairman Amlan Basu told PTI.

WBMDTC advisor Malay Chatterjee said if it receives a positive finding about the quality, "then only we will go for detailed large-scale exploration".

The report assumes significance as there is no major past data about iron-ore deposits in the state, a key raw material for the iron and steel sector.

A positive outcome of the report will be a boon for the several iron and steel units spread across the state with assured supply of the raw material at a competitive price, the officials said.

The state government is also optimistic about 'Deocha Pachami', one of the country's largest coal blocks, which is now allotted for captive use to the West Bengal Power Development Corporation Ltd, they said.

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