- 1.5 mnt pellet plant scheduled for commissioning by Jan’27
- Low-phosphorus concentrate targets domestic steelmakers
Pacific Iron Manufacturing Ltd. (PIML) has started commercial production and sales of iron ore concentrate from its newly commissioned beneficiation plant at the Dhaukan-Dhaurra-Urdaurra iron ore block in Prithvipur tehsil, Niwari district, Madhya Pradesh, marking a significant step towards developing an integrated iron ore value chain in central India. The beneficiation plant, commissioned on 17 June 2026, has an installed capacity of around 1.4 million tonnes per annum (mnt) and is expected to cater exclusively to the domestic market.
The Dhaukan-Dhaurra-Urdaurra block, located near Jhansi, Uttar Pradesh, was auctioned by the Madhya Pradesh government and was secured by Pacific Iron Manufacturing Ltd. The mine is spread across 153.03 hectares in the villages of Dhaukan, Dhaurra and Urdaurra under Prithvipur tehsil and hosts magnetite iron ore resources, making it one of the few magnetite-based projects under development in the state.
The beneficiation facility is processing captive magnetite ore to produce Fe 63%+ iron ore concentrate with low phosphorus content, a specification that is preferred by pellet producers and steelmakers due to its superior metallurgical properties. As per the company’s quality specification, the concentrate contains more than 63% Fe, less than 3.85% silica (SiO₂), below 0.82% alumina (Al₂O₃) and phosphorus below 0.04%, making it suitable for producing high-quality pellets.
The company is presently focused on ramping up concentrate production while stabilising plant operations. Industry participants expect output to increase gradually over the coming months as mining and beneficiation activities reach optimal utilisation levels.
Looking ahead, Pacific Iron Manufacturing is preparing to commission its 1.5 mnt pellet plant, which is expected to become operational by January 2027. Once commissioned, the facility will consume a significant portion of the company’s captive concentrate production, allowing PIML to transition from selling concentrate to manufacturing value-added pellets. The project is aimed at serving only the domestic market, reflecting the company’s strategy of supplying India’s growing steel industry rather than focusing on exports.
The commissioning also comes at a time when domestic demand for high-grade iron ore feedstock remains firm amid increasing emphasis on productivity and lower impurity burden in blast furnace and direct reduction operations. The availability of low-phosphorus magnetite concentrate from Niwari is expected to broaden sourcing options for pellet manufacturers while supporting the development of the magnetite resource base in central India.
Leave a Reply