Value addition will bring more relevance to NMDC: Chairman Baijendra Kumar

Instead of going for divestment at a later stage, as tried in the case of Nagarnar plant, the company wants to go with a private partner for such projects in the initial stage itself

Having taken over as a full-time chairman-cum-managing director of public-sector iron ore mining company NMDC six months ago, N Baijendra Kumar seeks to redefine the role of the national miner in tune with the changed policy environment and market conditions.

A 1985 batch IAS officer from the Chhattisgarh cadre, Kumar tells B Dasarath Reddy in an interview that the company will actively pursue the bidding route to win new mining leases and forge private partnerships for value-addition projects. Edited excerpts:

The sale process for the 3-million-tonne Nagarnar steel plant project in Chhattisgarh hit a roadblock after local tribals and the government opposed