NT ReporterPanajiStreamlining the process to sell iron ore dumps, the Union government on Tuesday specified that dumps which are in leased area up to August 31, 2025, are permitted for sale by miningcompanies. Earlier, the mines ministry had empowered states to allow the sale of dumps stacked in the leased area but had not mentioned the date. The mines directorate has allotted four low-grade iron ore dumps for sale to mining companies – VM Salgaocar Pvt Ltd, Minescape Mineral Pvt Ltd, and Chowgule and Company Pvt Ltd (two dumps). The dumps are lying outside the lease area on private land and allotted under the state policy for regulating iron ore dumps. The government in January invited applications from erstwhile leaseholders who paid conversion fees for the allotment of the dumps.