Odisha has established a state steel directorate as it prepares to auction over ten iron ore mining blocks in the next two years to cater for regional steelmakers’ raw materials requirements.

The directorate will be located in the office of Odisha’s Directorate of Geology, and will aim to make the best use of the state’s iron ore resources. Special Secretary, Steel and Mines P.K Mishra has been appointed its director. Odisha possesses 5.72 billion tonnes of iron ore, around 27% of India’s reserves.

“The state has been pursuing a vision for creating a congenial business climate to attract investment in mineral based industry and infrastructure projects, raising income, employment and economic growth,” says Odisha steel and mines minister Prafulla Kumar Mallick in a statement seen by Kallanish. “The State-initiated active investment promotion initiatives have resulted in concrete investment potential for value addition of iron ore resources and associated power generation.”

Indian iron ore output grew 23% on-year in the fiscal year through March 2016 to 155 million tonnes, mainly due to the resumption of output in Odisha following Supreme Court mine closures in 2014.