Odisha has intensified scrutiny of iron ore quality assessments following allegations that some mining companies understated ore grades to pay lower royalties, Bloomberg News reported, citing a government document and people familiar with the matter.
According to a July 6 memo seen by Bloomberg News, the state's Directorate of Mines and Geology directed local mining officials to explain lapses in verifying ore grades after inspections uncovered repeated instances of alleged misrepresentation or falsification. Officials were given three days to respond or face disciplinary action.