Bhubaneswar, Mar 6 (IANS): Odisha's iron ore production is likely to fall by ten percent in the financial year ending March 2013 due to several government restrictions and crackdown on illegal mining, an official of the mines department said Wednesday.

The state produced about 72 million tonnes and 66 million tonnes of iron ore in fiscal 2010-2011 and 2011-2012 respectively. "This financial year, the production would be at around 60 million tonnes," the official told IANS.

The production could drop mainly because of several restrictions the government has imposed. Besides, the state has put a cap on iron ore output in the two highest-producing areas of Joda in Keonjhar district and Koira in Sundergarh district.

Production has been capped at a total of 52 million tonnes in these two regions, he said.

Investigations into illegal mining in the state by various agencies started after some politicians alleged in July 2010 that some mines were operating without licences. The official claimed the government has taken several measures in the past years to check illegal mining.