National Mineral Development Corporation or NMDC

It was incorporated in 1958 as a Government of India wholly owned public enterprise. It comes under the administrative control of the Ministry of Steel, Government of India. And since inception, it is involved in the exploration of a wide range of minerals which includes iron ore, and copper, rock phosphate, limestone, dolomite, gypsum, bentonite, magnesite, diamond, tin, tungsten, graphite, beach sands, and many more. It is also India's single largest iron ore producer and exporter, which is presently producing about 30 million tonnes of the iron ore from three fully mechanized mines which are Bailadila Deposit–14/11C, and Bailadila Deposit–5, 10/11A in Chhattisgarh State and lastly Donimalai Iron Ore Mines in Karnataka State, and all of these are awarded the ISO 9001–2000 certification. It is the only mechanized diamond mine in India with a capacity of 1.00 lakh carats per annum at Panna in the Madhya Pradesh. This particular mine remained non–operational since August 22, 2005, according to the directives of the MP Pollution Control Board. And now, when the issues have been resolved, and the formal orders had been received from the state government on June 19, 2009, the mining operations have taken up a quick pace. It has a secure back up of an ISO 9001 certification R&D Centre, which has also been declared as one of the 'Centre of Excellence' in the field of mineral processing by the Expert Group of UNIDO. It has also made some of the most valuable and substantial contributions to the national efforts specifically in the mineral sector during the last five decades & also has been accorded the status of the schedule–A Public Sector Company. If we keep the recognition of the company's growing status and consistently excellent performance, then it has been categorized by the renowned Department of Public Enterprises as the 'Navratna' Public Sector Enterprise in 2008. The NMDC is also in the process of merging the Sponge Iron India Limited with the plan for expansion to produce the billets. And besides iron ore, it also plans to go for other minerals such as coal, diamond, gold, and many more as the company is now looking forward to leases or to buy properties from the foreign countries directly or Joint Ventures or under the Special Purpose Vehicle. It has set a Global Exploration Centre at Raipur, Chhattisgarh for continuing the exploration activities. And is now taking up various diversification activities via its intensive R&D efforts for the production of high–tech as well as top value-added products from the Blue Dust such as carbon-free sponge iron powder, and nanocrystalline powder. Many studies are also being conducted for setting up a specific demonstration plant to beneficiate the BHJ/BHQ material for up-gradation to +64% Fe iron ore concentrate. It is investing in the development of renewable energy resources such as an environmentally friendly investment. There is also a windmill project of 10.5MW capacity which has been completed and commissioned in Karnataka. It has always shown a significant concern for environment protection. Some of the examples which can be taken in this regard are the tree plantation and making tailing dams/check dams at various places.

Some of the Operating Mines:

1. Bailadila iron ore mine, Kirandui Complex
2. Bailadila iron ore mine, Bacheli Complex
3. Donimalai
4. Panna

This particular company serves clients such as MMTC, Rashtriya Ispat Nigam (VSP), Ispat Industries, Essar Steel, Vikram Sponge Iron, Sponge Iron India, JSW Steel, KIOCL, Aparant Iron & Steel Company, Visvesvaraya Iron & Steel Plant, Lanco Industries, Tata Metalliks, Kirloskar Ferrous Industries, Southern Iron & Steel Company and the CG based Sponge Iron Units.

Some of the Divisions:

1. Investigation – In the early sixties, it had the task to investigate the known mineral occurrences in the country, which could be commercially exploited. And the name continues regarding their potential threats. The company has explored various nationally and internationally areas of the iron ore, limestone & dolomite, copper, diamonds, bentonite, emerald, magnesite, rock phosphate, sapphire and tungsten, and graphite.

2. Resource Planning – During the last four decades, it has developed various mining projects, and during this course of development of these mines, the company has significantly gained enough practical experience in the fields of prospecting as well as mining.

3. Engineering – At the headquarters of NMDC, it has established a well-organized engineering department which includes the experienced engineers in particular disciplines of mechanical, civil, electrical, and mineral dressing and mining. Such experts are heading these various disciplines to obtain practical working experience in different operations of both mines and plants. The Department is also equipped with the project management software named PRIMA VERA.

Some of the Awards:

1. 2010: The Life Time Achievement Award
2. 2012:

• The Mining Engineer of the Year
• The Corporate Management Excellence Award for 2012 – 13

3. 2013:

• The HR Leadership Award
• Steelies– 2013 – Award.

4. 2014: The Efficient Navratna award.