India: NMDC Bacheli beneficiation plant begins trial operations

• 2.0 MTPA plant completes first hot trial
• Trial involves iron ore fines for slurry production

NMDC’s 2.0 MTPA iron ore beneficiation plant at Bacheli has commenced trial operations, marking the completion of its first hot trial using iron ore fines for slurry production.

The development strengthens NMDC’s integrated beneficiation capabilities at Bacheli and marks progress towards more efficient utilisation of iron ore resources.

The facility is expected to support an integrated processing chain covering beneficiation, slurry production, filtration and pelletisation, advancing NMDC’s move towards a more integrated iron ore processing model.

On a cumulative basis, NMDC produced 19.16 mnt of iron ore during April-July FY’27, up 27% from 15.09 mnt in the corresponding period of the previous fiscal. Cumulative sales stood at 15.15 mnt, marginally higher than 14.98 mnt a year earlier. The company enhanced production capacity in Chhattisgarh substantially: Deposit 14 was increased to 18.5 mnt/year from 10.5 mnt/year and Deposit 5 to 12 mnt/year from 10 mnt/year. This ultimately resulted in higher production from Chhattisgarh.

NMDC has set a production guidance of 60 mnt for FY’27 compared to output of 53 mnt in FY’26. The miner has outlined a detailed roadmap for this, including commencing mining operations from Deposits 4 and 13 in Bailadila.