NMDC is working out a plan targeting 100 million tonne (MT) of iron ore production by 2030. The iron ore miner plans to produce 78 MT from existing mines, 14 MT (51 per cent of 27.5 MT) from the mines of NCL, a JV of NMDC-CMDC JV and the balance eight MT from the applied mining leases across Odisha, Karnataka, Chhattisgarh, and Jharkhand.

A Rs 50,000 crore investment plan is under consideration, with nearly Rs 9,000 crore of capex and investment being planned every year year. In capacity expansion, it has undertaken the construction of the 12 MTPA screening plant and adoption of rapid wagon loading System (RWLS), along with new crushing plants planned for both Deposit 14 and 11C. Towards expanding infrastructure, NMDC has also applied for additional EC capacities to enhance production capacity at Kirandul to 30 MT by FY30.

In Bacheli, the company is building new loading facilities and increasing screening plant capacity to take production capacity to 31 MT from the complex. With 61 MT expected from Bailadila, which is yet to start production, NMDC is also awaiting permission on the enhancement of its capacity in Karnataka to achieve 17 MT from Donimalai. From the NCL mines, NMDC plans to produce 21 MT from Deposit 13 and seven MT from Deposit 4, to raise capacity to 92 MT by FY30.

The current production capacity of NMDC iron ore mines is around 50 MT, with Kirandul (Chhattisgarh) at 18 MT, Bacheli (Chhattisgarh) at 18 MT and Donimalai (Karnataka) at 14 MT. Besides, the company is carrying out an internal restructuring which includes setting up new divisions like projects department and ramping up on human resource. It is also mulling overseas acquisition for iron ore and also lithium mines, towards this.