NMDC Ltd and MECL join hands for mineral exploration

• NMDC Limited and MECL have signed an MoU to collaborate and conduct exploration in mutually agreed projects

• The MoU is aimed at striking better synergies in mineral exploration and allied works between the birds of the same feather

New Delhi/Kolkata: NMDC Limited has signed an MoU with Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited (MECL) on Monday to collaborate and conduct exploration in mutually agreed projects for iron ore, gold, coal, diamond and other minerals in various states. Coming together of the two premier Indian exploration agencies under the government, NMDC Limited and MECL means better synergies in mineral exploration and allied works. It will help to establish resources & reserves of various minerals & ores and its extraction while identifying unexplored mining areas. This will support the government's 'Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan' initiative and extending commitment towards mineral security for the nation.

NMDC is presently producing about 35 million tonnes of iron ore annually from its fully mechanised mines in Bailadila Deposit- 14/11C, Bailadila Deposit-5, 10/11A (Chhattisgarh State) and Kumaraswamy Iron Ore Mines (Karnataka State). NMDC produces most of the diamonds from the Diamond Mining Project, Panna in Madhya Pradesh. NMDC also has set up an established Research & Development Centre for the study of ore beneficiation and minerals processing.

MECL has been carrying out mineral exploration activities from 1972 and is the premier exploration agency in the country. With its strategic growth plan under vision-2030, MECL has emphasised on providing, exploration and consultancy services for different minerals in India and overseas geographies on behalf of other agencies including Public Sector, Private Sector and State governments on mutually agreed terms and conditions.

Commenting on the occasion, NMDC Limited's CMD Sumit Deb said, "NMDC would like to add value to the Prime Minister's vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat by domestically fulfilling the demands of the steel industry. I hope this venture accomplishes the mission of strategic and beneficial exploration successfully for both the companies and concentrate on high priority exploration areas and helps in realizing the overall objective of promoting domestic production of previously imported items to foster self-reliance. NMDC has been a pioneer in mining and is also venturing into coal at Tokisud North Coal Mine, and Rohne Coal Mine in Jharkhand."

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MECL's CMD Dr Ranjit Rath commented, "MECL has surpassed all the past records of 48 years with highest ever turnover, PBT, EBIDTA & PAT and physical productivity. MECL is well poised to augment and expedite exploration coverage for all mineral commodities Pan India. Earlier, MECL has conducted successful exploration for NMDC in Shahpur East & Shahpur West Coal blocks in Madhya Pradesh. I hope this MoU turns out to be successful and fruitful."

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NMDC Limited's Director (Production) PK Satpathy is associated in finalization of this MoU and further mentioned that NMDC is using technologies like Space Geophysics EIGEN 6C4 gravity field models for diamond explorations in Madhya Pradesh and said NMDC is also preparing mobile GIS study using the app "Bhuvan Platform" in all its exploration programs.

On this MoU signing occasion, NMDC Limited's Director (Finance) Amitava Mukherjee, Director (Commercial) Alok Kumar Mehta, Director (Technical) Somnath Nandi and MECL's HoD (BD) RK Jain, Head of Corporate Planning & Safety A Mathur, General Manager (Exploration & Geological Sciences) BP Raturi along with senior officials of NMDC and MECL were also present.

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