NMDC Launches ₹5,427 Crore Integrated Iron Ore Project in Nagarnar, Chhattisgarh

NMDC Limited has inaugurated its pellet plant with a capacity of 2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) in Nagarnar, Chhattisgarh. This plant is part of a comprehensive integrated project worth ₹5,427 crore, which includes facilities for iron ore processing, a pipeline, and pellet manufacturing.

The primary objective of this integrated project is to link the company's iron ore operations located in Bacheli with the steel plant situated in Nagarnar. Under this project, a new iron ore processing plant has been established in Bacheli, alongside a slurry pipeline with a capacity of 15 MTPA and a 2 MTPA pellet plant in Nagarnar. The 135-kilometer long slurry pipeline will transport processed iron ore concentrate from Bacheli to Nagarnar, providing an alternative to road transport and reducing dependency on the railways. This pipeline passes through 61 villages across the Bastar and Dantewada districts.

Through these new facilities, NMDC will be able to process iron ore fines and slimes obtained from its Bailadila mines into concentrate and subsequently convert them into pellets. The pellet plant utilizes 'straight grate induration technology' for steel production.

The first production of the project was monitored from the headquarters by NMDC Chairman-cum-Managing Director Mr. Amitabh Mukherjee and the company's senior leadership, as they were unable to be present on-site due to adverse weather conditions. On this occasion, Mr. Amitabh Mukherjee stated that the project is a matter of pride for the company and that completing it was a significant challenge, but today that dream has become a reality.

This move is expected to strengthen NMDC's position in the iron ore value chain and add a new value-added product to the company's portfolio. The project is part of the company's expansion and diversification strategy, under which NMDC aims to increase its iron ore production capacity to 100 million tonnes in the long term.