The iron ore mine in Noamundi. Telegraph picture

Jamshedpur, Dec. 28: The Union forest ministry has given environmental clearance to the proposed expansion plans of Usha Martin Limited’s mining facility in West Singhbhum.

The company in a press release today stated that they had received the clearance, which paved the way for exploration at the Vijay-II mines at Noamundi in the district.

The company had already got environmental clearance on December 22 from the Ghatkuri panchayat, under which the mines are located.

Usha Martin had applied for the expansion of its iron ore and manganese mines in this region in the year 2007. The mining area for which company has received the green clearance is expected to yield around 0.6-2.5 million tonne of additional ore every year. Usha Martin owns iron ore and manganese facilities at Noamundi.

The Centre’s go-ahead will boost the expansion plans to the company. Buoyed by its success, the company is presently working upon its other expansion plans.

The company has initiated Rs 2,100 crore ambitious expansion plan at its Jamshedpur-based plant. It plans to enhance steel production to one million tonne per annum by 2010-2011. The present iron production capacity of the company stands at 3.65 lakh tonne per annum. The expansion of iron ore mines would ensure linkage of the company’s steel production facility.

The company also plans to invest more in its iron ore and coal mines, sinter plant, pellet plant, power plants, while enhancing the value added products capacity.

It also has plans to expand the capacity of captive power plant for its steel plant in Jamshedpur and wire rope plant at Ranchi. Presently, Usha Martin is also trying to make foray into coal mining, which would ensure linkage of its captive power plant with mines.

The Usha alloys and steel division is also working on plan to produce a wide variety of carbon alloy and beating steel bars for the automotive industry by 2010-2011.

Besides, mining activities the company is into production of speciality steel. It is one of the largest wire rope manufacturers globally.