India: Around 130,000 t iron ore fetch response in NMDC Chhattisgarh auction

• Kirandul iron ore slime receives INR 1,100/t premium
• NMDC hike prices by INR 150-200/t for June delivery

NMDC’s latest iron ore auction held on 5 June 2026 witnessed a moderate response from buyers, with 130,000 t sold out of the total 236,200 t offered, reflecting selective procurement amid evolving market dynamics. The auction came shortly after NMDC increased its list prices for iron ore lumps and fines by INR 150-200/t on 3 June, setting DR CLO (10-40 mm, Fe 67%) prices at INR 6,350/t and Fe 64% fines at INR 4,850/t (both FOR basis, excluding royalty, DMF, and NMET).

At the Bacheli complex, premium realization remained mixed across product categories. Around 17,200 t of DR CLO (10-40 mm, Fe 67%) attracted a premium of INR 350/t over the base price of INR 6,400/t. Similarly, Baila sized lump (10-20 mm, Fe 65.5%) secured a premium of INR 230/t over the base price of INR 5,850/t, while iron ore slime (Fe 56%, SiO: 13-15%,AlO: 2-3%,P:0.030-0.050%) achieved a marginal premium of INR 50/t. However, the entire 76,200 t lot of Fe 60% fines remained unsold, highlighting weak buying appetite amid the weak pellet market.

In Kirandul, market preference continued to favour better-quality material. Of offered 68,800 t, around 51,600 t of Fe 64% fines on FOR basis were sold at the base price of INR 4,890/t, booked by some western and eastern India based buyers. Meanwhile, iron ore slime (Fe 59.5%, SiO2: Avg-8%, Al2O3: Avg 3%, P%- 0.040%, Moisture- 7%) garnered a substantial premium of INR 1,100/t over the base price of INR 1,700/t. Conversely, the 30,000 t lot of Fe 64% fines offered on FOT basis remained unsold. Prices are on FOR/FOT basis and exclude royalty, DMF, and NMEDT.