New Delhi/Hyderabad: NMDC Limited, the largest iron ore producer of India, has stepped in to provide technical and financial assistance to Neelachal Ispat Nigam Limited (NINL) for the resumption of their mining operations in Odisha. The operations of NINL iron ore mines at Mithirda mine block have resumed on Friday. The inaugural function was attended by NMDC's CMD Sumit Deb, NMDC's Director (Production) PK Satpathy, NINL's Managing Director RK Jha and senior officials of NMDC and NINL.

Under the aegis of the Ministry of Steel, Ministry of Commerce and DIPAM, NINL approached NMDC for support. To provide impetus to the supply of high-grade iron ore in the state of Odisha, NMDC signed an MoU to extend assistance to NINL.

NINL, a Joint Venture Company of MMTC, IPICOL, OMC, NMDC and others set up a 1.1 MTPA Integrated Steel Plant at Dubri, Jajpur in Odisha. The company acquired the mining lease for captive production of iron ore in January 2017. NINL received permission for merchant sale of iron ore for one million tons per year for two years to augment the iron ore production in the state and meet the expenses of the company.

Commenting on the developments, Deb said, "Iron ore mining by NINL will not only ease ore scarcity in the state but will go a long way in eliminating the financial constraints faced by NINL. NMDC extends full support to the NINL team in their new endeavour."

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