NMDC is ramping up digital transformation, sustainable mining practices, and capacity expansion at its Donimalai complex in Karnataka to achieve its goal of becoming a 100 million tonne per annum (MTPA) mining company, as per the Ministry of Steel. The company’s senior management recently visited the complex to assess key projects aimed at enhancing production, resource efficiency, and environmental stewardship. Ongoing capacity expansion and infrastructure development projects at the Kumaraswamy Mine are set to increase production to 10 MTPA and boost the overall capacity of the Donimalai Complex to 17 MTPA, aligning with NMDC’s vision of becoming a major mining player.
Senior officials also evaluated initiatives to utilize iron ore resources with up to 35% Fe, along with iron ore slimes and low-grade iron-bearing materials like Banded Hematite Jasper (BHJ) and Banded Hematite Quartzite (BHQ), which have historically been underutilized despite their significant iron content. Through beneficiation and advanced mineral processing techniques, NMDC is converting these low-grade resources into valuable raw materials, facilitating the recovery of additional iron ore from existing mines while minimizing waste generation. This initiative is expected to enhance mineral conservation, reduce the environmental impact of mining operations, and cater to the escalating raw material demands of India’s steel industry.
Furthermore, the management team assessed the newly implemented automated gate management system at the Kumaraswamy Mine, which allows real-time monitoring and verification of iron ore dispatches, enhancing transparency and operational efficiency. This digital system, according to the company, minimizes manual intervention, strengthens oversight of material movement, and ensures secure transportation of mineral resources to their designated destinations. The endeavors at Donimalai underscore NMDC’s commitment to digitalization, resource efficiency, and sustainable mining practices as it progresses towards its long-term production and sustainability objectives.
