- NMDC’s iron ore production rises 14% m-o-m in Oct’25
- Dispatches to Chhattisgarh-based units up 16% m-o-m
The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), India’s largest iron ore miner, dispatched 551 rakes from its Chhattisgarh mines in October, equivalent to 2.12 million tonnes (mnt) of iron ore.
This was an increment of 25% compared to 440 rakes (1.69 mnt) in September, as per BigMint data. On a y-o-y basis, October 2025 recorded an 8.9% rise in dispatches compared with 506 rakes in October 2024.
This marks a strong recovery in dispatch volumes in October 2025 after prolonged monsoon-related logistical disruptions. Notably, these rake movements were within Chhattisgarh and to other state-based units but excluded supply to AM/NS India through the slurry pipeline. Each rake carries around 3,850 t of iron ore.
Meanwhile, NMDC’s monthly output reached 4.27 mnt in October, up 13.9% from 3.75 mnt in September.
Sourcing by Chhattisgarh-based units rises 16% m-o-m
NMDC dispatched 214 (0.82 mnt) iron ore rakes to Chhattisgarh-based units in October, an increase of 16% as against 184 (0.71 mnt) in September. Specifically, supplies to NMDC’s Nagarnar plant increased by 34% to 131 rakes in October against 98 in September. However, NMDC’s rake movements to other steelmakers dropped m-o-m.
NMDC reduced its list prices of iron ore CLO (calibrated lump ore) and fines on 22 October 2025. The miner fixed prices of DR CLO (10-40 mm, Fe 67%) at INR 6,200/tonne (t) ($71/t) and of iron ore fines (-10 mm, Fe 64%) at INR 4,750/t ($54/t), a drop of INR 650/t ($7/t) and INR 500/t ($6/t), respectively. Prices are on FOR basis from the miner’s Bacheli complex and include royalty, DMF, and NMEDT.
Sourcing by units outside Chhattisgarh surges by 32% m-o-m
Overall, NMDC’s iron ore movements to plants outside Chhattisgarh rose by 32% to 337 rakes in October against 256 rakes in September. Rake movements to Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) saw a decent uptick, while JSP’s intake fell.
RINL emerged as the top buyer in October, receiving 148 rakes against 121 in the previous month.
Dispatches to KIOCL stood at 60 in October, compared with 55 in September.
JSW Steel’s Dolvi plant received 81 iron ore rakes in October, marking a sharp 153% surge compared to 32 rakes in September. The significant increase was anticipated following the monsoon, given improved availability from NMDC.
Jindal Steel and Power Ltd sourced only 11 rakes, down by 69% against 35 rakes in the last month for its Odisha-based plants, whereas AM/NS India sourced no rakes in October.
Outlook
Rake dispatches from NMDC are expected to remain supported in November, following the end of the monsoon and festive season. Recent price cuts by the miner may also lead to strong iron ore demand from steelmakers.
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