The Union Government has decided to set up a research centre for the steel industry.
According to a SAIL release, the Minister for Mines & Steel, Narendra Singh Tomar, said this at a function at the Indian Institute of Metals in Pune last week.
The centre will spearhead research under the proposed 'Steel Research & Technology Mission of India' (SRTMI) to promote collaborative programmes in the sector.
It is envisaged that the research will be done in priority areas covering best usage of available raw materials, conservation of natural resources, optimum energy conservation, minimum emissions leading to innovations, development of design, engineering and manufacturing facilities of key steel plant equipment.
Apart from SAIL, Tata Steel, JSW Steel, JSPL, Essar Steel, RINL, NMDC and MECON will be the initial participating companies.
Special purpose vehicles
The Minister also talked about forming special purpose vehicles (SPVs) with iron ore rich states for de-bottlenecking the clearance procedures for mining projects to revive investment in the steel sector.
The role of SPVs will be to acquire land and obtain all necessary environment and forest clearances. NMDC Ltd will spearhead in creating these SPVs.
Special mining zones
The Ministry of Steel has also proposed 'Special Mining Zones', where regions with mineral resources will be identified as strategic resources and one nodal authority will arrange necessary green clearances for mining projects in such areas.
At the event, Chairman of SAIL, CS Verma, was conferred with the IIM - JRD Tata Award for 'Excellence in Corporate Leadership in Metallurgical Industries' for the year 2014.