The story
The Ballari–Hosapete–Sandur belt has some of India's richest haematite iron ore deposits. Mining drew sponge iron plants and, later, large integrated steel works such as JSW's plant at Toranagallu. Small units for fabrication, transport and heavy vehicle servicing grew around the mines and plants. Mining rules tightened after the illegal mining cases of the 2000s.
In numbers
Ballari's steel and sponge iron cluster had 50 units with a turnover of Rs 2,000 crore and employment of 10,000 (2010-11 data).
Brief Industrial Profile of Bellary District (MSME-DI Hubli, DC-MSME) · 2011
Ways in for a newcomer
- Fabrication and machine shops serving steel plants
- Heavy vehicle and earth-mover servicing
- Slag and scrap recycling
- Industrial gas, refractory and spares supply
Problems the cluster faces
- Mining caps and court-imposed limits
- Air and dust pollution
- Swings in global steel prices
- Large plants dominate local supply chains
Businesses to start here
Steel Re-Rolling Mill (MS Rounds, Angles, Channels, Tor Steel) →Metallurgical Coke Unit (Small Coke Ovens) →Metal Scrap Recycling Unit →Fire Clay Refractory Bricks and Blocks →