KIOCL to explore iron ore, gold in two states
KIOCL will take up exploration of iron ore and gold in Tirupur (Tamil Nadu) and Mysuru (Karnataka), respectively. Union Steel Minister Chaudhary Birender Singh  said that KIOCL has also been recognised as a mineral exploration entity under the MMDR Act 1957 for carrying out works in the country.

According to the minister, the company now is empowered to prospect for iron ore in 100 sq km in Tirupur district of Tamil Nadu. This will be completed in the next six months.

The company will also work on prospecting for gold in around 200 sq km in Mysuru district. The Minister said that KIOCL has signed an agreement with Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Ltd (RINL) for putting up a pellet manufacturing plant at Visakhapatnam where RINL has an integrated steel plant with a production capacity of 1.2 million tonne per annum.