NMDC's R&D Centre Emerges as a Pillar of Innovation
Since its establishment in 1958, NMDC has grown to become India's largest iron ore producer and the world's eighth-largest. Over its 66-year journey, it has expanded its operations internationally, including acquiring a mine in Australia and launching a three million tonnes per annum (MTPA) steel unit in Chhattisgarh.
A key but often overlooked asset is NMDC's versatile R&D centre, established in 1975 to support in-house projects and domestic organisations. Recognised as a Centre of Excellence by UNIDO and DSIR, the R&D unit has a strong track record in technology transfer and innovation.
Recently, NMDC invested Rs 200 crore to establish a state-of-the-art R&D centre at Patencheru, Hyderabad. This new facility, equipped with advanced instruments like an automated mineral analyser and an X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyser, focuses on mineral processing and sustainable steel technology. It also features a dedicated facility for pelletisation studies.
Beyond supporting NMDC's projects, the R&D centre works with external clients such as SAIL and AM/NS India, showcasing its capacity to deliver innovative solutions across the industry.
The NMDC R&D Centre is home to various specialised laboratories, each contributing to the company's in-house requirements and capabilities. These include a mineralogy laboratory, a mineral processing centre, an iron and steel research lab, a hydro metallurgy laboratory, a bulk solids flow laboratory, and a chemical laboratory. Each lab has its specific task, and together, these facilities provide valuable insights into mineral processing and pellet production, benefiting not only NMDC but also the wider sector.
NMDC CMD Amitava Mukherjee said, “Embracing our responsibility to innovate and lead the Indian Mining Industry towards a sustainable future through research and development, we open the doors to NMDC's new state-of-the-art R&D Center. As we strive to innovate and inspire, we have not just invested in research here; we have invested in India's Future.” The CMD could not be more apt.
“This facility is a decisive step towards driving the digital transformation of India's largest iron ore producer and will further reinforce its commitment to Responsible Mining by building a sustainable ecosystem at its core,” he said.
