- Iron ore movements to non-state units largely firm
- RINL top buyer with 154 rakes
The National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC), India’s largest iron ore miner, dispatched 566 rakes from its Chhattisgarh mines in May 2025, equivalent to 2.18 million tonnes (mnt) of iron ore. This was an increase of 5% compared to 538 rakes (2.07 mnt) in April 2025, 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.
NMDC’s monthly iron ore output was recorded at 4.43 mnt in May’25, up by 11% m-o-m from 4 mnt in Apr.
NMDC has reported an uptick in iron ore rake movement, driven by active restocking by steel producers ahead of the monsoon season. The pre-monsoon inventory build-up is aimed at mitigating potential supply disruptions during the rainy months. This seasonal demand surge has led to increased dispatches from NMDC.
Sourcing by units outside Chhattisgarh remains largely stable
Overall, NMDC’s iron ore movements to plants outside Chhattisgarh remained largely firm at 363 rakes in May against 362 rakes in April.
Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) emerged as the top buyer in May, receiving 154 rakes against 150 booked in the previous month, a marginal increase of 3%.
JSW Steel, Dolvi, received 94 iron ore rakes in May, a climb of 11% compared with 85 in April.
KIOCL recorded a drop of 29% in its iron ore rake bookings from NMDC, at 29 in May compared to 41 in April.
AM/NS India sourced 14 rakes in May against 13 rakes in April, up 8% m-o-m.
Rise in sourcing by Chhattisgarh-based units
NMDC dispatched 203 (0.78 mnt) iron ore rakes to Chhattisgarh-based units in May, up 13% m-o-m as against 176 (0.68 mnt) in April. Additionally, NMDC’s supplies to its Nagarnar plant increased by 27% in May to 121 rakes compared to 95 in April.
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