India: NMDC’s iron ore rake movements remain largely stable m-o-m in Feb’25

• NMDC’s iron ore output drops 9% m-o-m in Feb’25
• Sourcing by units outside Chhattisgarh falls 2% m-o-m

The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), India’s largest iron ore miner, dispatched 552 rakes from its Chhattisgarh mines in February 2025, equivalent to 2.13 million tonnes (mnt) of iron ore. This was a marginal dip of 1% compared to 559 rakes (2.15 mnt) in January, as per BigMint data.

These rake movements were within Chhattisgarh and to other state-based units but excluded supply to AM/NS India through slurry pipeline. Each rake carries around 3,850 t of iron ore.

Notably, NMDC’s iron ore production stood at 4.62 mnt in February, down by 9% from 5.10 mnt in January. Meanwhile, iron ore sales dropped 11% to 3.98 mnt in February against 4.48 mnt in January.

Sourcing by units outside Chhattisgarh drops

Overall, NMDC’s iron ore movements to plants outside Chhattisgarh fell marginally by 2% to 381 rakes in February against 387 in January.

Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) emerged as the top buyer in February, receiving 140 rakes against 150 booked in the previous month, a decrease of 7%.

JSW Steel, Dolvi, received 86 iron ore rakes in February, a rise of 25% compared with 69 in January.

KIOCL recorded an decrease of 5% in its iron ore rake bookings from NMDC, at 52 in February compared to 55 in January. Fall in export sentiments amid weak Chinese demand have decreased the company’s iron ore procurement.

AM/NS sourced 35 rakes in February against 43 rakes in January, down by 19% m-o-m.

Increased sourcing by Chhattisgarh-based units

NMDC dispatched 171 (0.66 mnt) iron ore rakes to Chhattisgarh-based units in February, firm m-o-m as against 172 (0.66 mnt) in January. Additionally, NMDC’s supplies to its Nagarnar plant dropped in February to 80 rakes compared to 93 in January.

India’s largest iron ore producer has been facing significant disruptions in its production and dispatches over the past two-three days due to an ongoing work-to-rule protest by workers. This may impact iron ore dispatches in the coming days.