India's state-owned NMDC has commissioned an integrated iron ore processing and pellet production project in Chhattisgarh, marking a strategic expansion beyond traditional mining operations into higher-value raw materials for steelmaking. The project represents an investment of Rs 5,427 crore and integrates NMDC's Bacheli iron ore operations with facilities at Nagarnar. The integrated complex comprises an iron ore processing plant at Bacheli, a 15 million tons per year slurry pipeline system and a 2 million tons per year pellet plant at Nagarnar.
A key infrastructure component is a 135-kilometer pipeline that will transport iron ore concentrate between Bacheli and Nagarnar, providing an alternative to road transportation and reducing reliance on rail logistics for material movement between the two sites. The new facilities will enable NMDC to process fines and slimes generated from its Bailadila mines into concentrate and subsequently convert the material into pellets for steel production, improving overall resource utilization efficiency. The project forms part of NMDC's broader expansion strategy as the company seeks to increase its iron ore production capacity to 100 million tons.
By adding pellet production capabilities, NMDC extends its position throughout the iron ore supply chain, enabling greater value extraction from materials generated by its existing mining operations. Source: Asian Metal
Source: asianmetal.com