New Delhi: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has discovered new iron ore reserves of over 22 million tonnes in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka.

The Mines Ministry sources stated that the public sector company has detected four iron ore blocks in Namakhal blocks in Tamil Nadu containing reserves of 14.03 MT of magnetite ore with Ferrous content ranging between 31 to 37 per cent,.

GSI has also found 8 mt of iron ore in Sandur Schistbelt in Bellary region of Karnataka with Fe content of over 55%.

Additionally, the GSI has also detected top quality ore in Ghutang and Pahargada blocks in Kenduhar region of Orissa and at Aridongri and Chhattisgarh.

GSI found this ore in the last fiscal ending March 31, 2007.

Furthermore, the company had detected two kimberlite pipes each in Mahaboobnagar and Anantpur districts of Andhra Pradesh in the same period, they added.