### **Overview** NMDC Limited (National Mineral Development Corporation), established in November 1958 and headquartered in Hyderabad, is a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Steel, Government of India. India’s largest iron ore producer and one of the lowest-cost global producers, NMDC plays a pivotal role in the domestic mining and steel sectors. With over six decades of operational experience, it combines robust infrastructure, strategic asset ownership, and technological innovation to sustain growth, improve efficiency, and scale globally. --- ### **Core Business & Key Products** - **Iron Ore**: Primary product, with high-grade ore at ~64% Fe; produced as lump, fines, and pellets. - **Pellets**: Currently producing 62–63 grade; transitioning to premium 66–67 grade **DRI pellets**, which command $30–50/tonne premiums. - **Diamonds**: Operates Asia’s only **mechanized diamond mine** in Panna, Madhya Pradesh. - **Coal**: Entered the coal sector via allocation of **Tokisud North** and **Rohne blocks** in Jharkhand. - **Steel**: Forward-integrated through **NMDC Steel Limited (NSL)**, a demerged subsidiary with a **3.0 MTPA integrated steel plant** commissioned in August 2023 at Nagarnar, Chhattisgarh. - **Renewable Energy**: Installed **10.5 MW wind** and **1.5 MW rooftop solar**; additional solar projects under pre-feasibility study. - **International Presence**: Operations and exploration in **Australia (via Legacy Iron Ore Ltd)** and **Mozambique (via ICVL)**. --- ### **Production & Capacity Outlook (FY25–FY30)** | Metric | Target | |-------|--------| | **Iron Ore (FY25)** | 50–53.8 million tonnes (MT) | | **Pellet Capacity (FY25)** | 2 MTPA at Nagarnar; 1.2 MTPA at Donimalai | | **Iron Ore Capacity (FY26)** | 67 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) | | **Long-Term Vision (FY30)** | 100 MTPA iron ore production; support for India’s **300 MTPA National Steel Policy** | | **Steel Plant (NSL)** | 3 MTPA, producing HRC, HR Plates, API-5L, automotive and high-carbon steel | | **Coal Production Start** | FY26 (Tokisud), FY27–28 (Rohne) pending land and CFR clearances | - FY24 achieved **45.1 MT** iron ore production at **64.6% Fe** average grade. - Evacuation constraints resolved by **new rail sidings and RWLS (Rail Weighing & Leveling System)**, adding **7–8 rakes/day** (~9–10 MT/year uplift). --- ### **Strategic Growth Drivers** #### **1. Value-Addition & Product Premiumization** - Transitioning from standard iron ore to **high-grade DRI pellets (66–67 Fe)**, targeting realizations of **$140–150/tonne** (from current $105–110/tonne). - Developing **automated, index-based pricing platform** to align with market dynamics and support blended product sales. - Shifting NSL’s steel mix to **OEM-grade and custom steel**, including **LPG-grade** products, to lift realization from ₹49,200 to ₹51,000 per tonne. - Exploring beneficiation of **“black turf” waste** at Panna (~5–7 MT sale potential), potentially turning the diamond mine profitable. #### **2. Expansion & Infrastructure** - **Brownfield**: Augmenting capacity at existing mines in Bailadila, Donimalai, and Bacheli. - **Greenfield**: Developing **Deposit-13 & Deposit-4** via **NMDC-CMDC Limited (NCL)** JV. - **Slurry Pipeline**: Constructing a **15 MTPA pipeline from Bacheli to Nagarnar** (near completion), enabling cost-efficient ore transportation. - **Evacuation Upgrades**: Doubling of **Kirandul-Kotvatsala** and **Rowghat-JagDalpur** rail lines; building **intermediate stockpile at Kumar Marenga**. - **Planned Blending Yard & Pellet Plant**: Investing ~**INR 1,500 crores** in a **1,000-acre facility in Visakhapatnam**. #### **3. Digital Transformation** - **ERP Implementation**: SAP S/4HANA integrated across operations for real-time decision-making. - **Automation**: - **Fleet Management System (FMS)** with real-time monitoring, health tracking, and proximity alerts. - **Automated sampling, rapid wagon loading**, and **3D volumetric scanners** for stockpile management. - **Drone-based exploration** using **LiDAR, hyperspectral, and magnetometer sensors** in partnership with **IIT Kharagpur**. - **Digital Labs**: Robotic sample prep, fused-bead XRF analysis (120 samples/day), with SCADA, redundant servers, and IoT integration. #### **4. R&D & Innovation** - Dedicated **R&D Centre in Hyderabad**, expanded to Patancheru, focusing on mineral processing, waste utilization, and steel technology. - Capabilities in **mineralogical analysis, pelletisation, sintering, tailings management**, and **geostatistics**. - Partnerships with **IIT Kharagpur** and global institutions for cutting-edge R&D. --- ### **Downstream Integration** - **NMDC Steel Limited (NSL)**: Commenced operations in FY24; HRC output ramping up to **120,000 tons/month** (May 2024). - Expected to reach **break-even at 66–70% capacity utilization (1.5–1.6 lakh tons/month)**. - Pellets used in blast furnaces enhance **efficiency and quality**, enabling higher value capture in steel. - Demerger completed in Feb 2023; NSL now publicly listed. --- ### **International Expansion & Diversification** - **Legacy Iron Ore Ltd (91.38% owned, ASX-listed)**: - Holding 24 tenements across **Western Australia**, including: - **Mount Bevan**: 1.17 billion tonnes magnetite @ 34.9% Fe (JORC). - **East Kimberley**: Potential for **gold, base metals, REE, and tungsten**. - **Mt Celia**: Active gold mining initiated; exploration at tailings sites ongoing. - JV with **Hancock Prospecting (Australia)** for: - Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) on **Mount Bevan iron ore**. - **Lithium exploration** initiative. - **International Coal Ventures Limited (ICVL)**: - 26% stake in JV with SAIL & RINL. - Operates **Benga coal mine in Mozambique** – **1.24 MT produced**, **1.31 MT exported (FY24)**. - **Exploring lithium, gold, bauxite, copper, and critical minerals** globally aligned with **India’s net-zero and energy security objectives**. --- ### **Sustainability & ESG Initiatives** - **Low C1 cash costs**, enhancing global competitiveness. - **Renewable energy projects** in progress. - **Drone-based exploration** reduces environmental footprint. - Commitment to **environmental harmonization**, as symbolized by the **“NMDC 2.0” rebranding in Aug 2023**. - **Supreme Court clearance** for Panna diamond mine received; awaiting environmental approval.