NMDC and SAIL Join Forces to Propel Innovation in Mineral Processing and Coal Utilization
In a significant move to advance India's steel sector, NMDC Limited, a leading government-owned iron ore miner, and Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), the country’s largest state-run steelmaker, have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The agreement, announced on February 10, 2025, seeks to collaborate on innovative mineral processing and coal utilization techniques, with a primary focus on iron ore beneficiation and coal processing efficiency.
Key Focus Areas of the Collaboration
The collaboration between NMDC's Research and Development (R&D) Centre and SAIL's Research and Development Centre for Iron & Steel (RDCIS) will primarily focus on developing advanced beneficiation techniques. This initiative will help in upgrading low-grade and lean-grade iron ore, which is essential for improving the quality of iron ore available for steel production.
Additionally, the partnership will work on enhancing coal processing efficiency, a critical aspect of steel production. With India's steel industry being one of the largest globally, improving the efficiency of coal processing and reducing energy consumption is a key priority.
The following key initiatives will be undertaken under the MoU:
1. Dry Beneficiation of Iron Ore and Limestone: One of the significant projects will focus on dry beneficiation, an innovative method that uses dry methods to upgrade low-grade iron ore. This process can help improve iron ore yield without the need for water, making it more sustainable and cost-effective. The same techniques will be explored for limestone, which is a crucial raw material for steel production.
2. Improving Coal Flowability: Another priority will be to enhance the flowability of coal. This improvement will help in reducing chute jamming, a common issue that leads to inefficiencies in the coal handling process. By improving the flow of coal, both companies aim to enhance the efficiency of coal usage in steel production.
3. Coal Carbonization and Testing: Both organizations will also focus on researching coal carbonization, the process of converting coal into coke, a vital component used in blast furnaces for steel production. Testing will be conducted to explore ways to optimize this process, ensuring higher-quality coke and better fuel efficiency.
Promoting Knowledge Sharing and Industry Advancements
In addition to the technical aspects of mineral processing and coal utilization, the collaboration will also involve organizing technology awareness programmes. These programs will promote knowledge-sharing within the industry, enabling both companies to stay ahead in terms of technological advancements. The initiative is expected to foster innovation, benefiting not just NMDC and SAIL but also the broader Indian steel industry.
By focusing on these areas of innovation, the partnership seeks to enhance the overall efficiency and sustainability of the Indian steel sector, ensuring that the country remains competitive on the global stage. Both NMDC and SAIL are committed to research and development as key pillars of India’s industrial growth, and this MoU marks a major step toward achieving these goals.
