NMDC-CMDC to mine 1 MTPA iron ore from Bailadila

The Joint Venture company between the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) and state-owned Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) would explore 1 million tonne iron ore every year from the new deposit of the Bailadila mines in state's Dantewada district.

Both the mining companies had formed a Joint Venture (JV) in 2008 to develop and explore the deposit 13 in the Bailadila mines where the NMDC has two deposits namely Kirandul and Bacheli. The third mine in Bailadila that had been endowed with rich and world-class iron ore deposit would be developed after nearly 54 years.

In late 60s, the NMDC started the two mines in Bailadila that shared the major share of company's total production. For developing and mining in the deposit no13, the company had joined hands with the state-run CMDC.

The NMDC would have 51 per cent stake in the JV while the CMDC would enjoy 49 per cent share.

According to officials, the CMDC would sell the iron-ore from its share to the steel units located in Chhattisgarh.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) had recently given environment clearance for the first phase of deposit 13 in the Bailadila iron ore project. The mine had been spread over an area of 316 hectare. The state officials said a few formalities were left in connection with the forest clearance before the lease of deposit 13 would be handed over to the NMDC that would later transfer it to the JV.

The JV would then start developing the mine in deposit 13. The officials said the annual production from the mine would be 1 million tonne. The mine would cater the requirement of steel making raw material for next 40 years.