The mines ministry on Tuesday said it has allowed state-owned SAIL to offload up to 25 per cent of total iron ore produced in the previous year through open market. However, it will be subject to clearance from the respective state governments, where the mines are located, after following due procedure. It is valid for a period of 2 years, the ministry said in a statement. The country's largest steel maker, under the Ministry of Steel, has over 20 captive mines spread across Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh and West Bengal.