NINL allotted captive iron ore mines

The public sector, Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd (NINL) promoted by MMTC and Orissa government, has been allotted iron ore mine for its captive consumption.

At present, NINL's iron ore requirement estimated at 1.6 million tonnes a year is primarily being met by Daitary iron ore mines of Orissa Mining Corporation (OMC) and is supplemented from other sources mainly from Barbil Barajamda sector.

With the commissioning of the sinter plant, NINL is using 80 per cent iron ore in the form of fines and the rest in the form of calibrated lump ore.

The mining area allotted to NINL is located in Sundargarh-Keonjhar sector of Orissa. It is estimated to have a reserve of over 110 million tonnes of ore with iron content of 62 to 64 per cent.

NINL has already applied for approval of mine plan to Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) based on the investigation report prepared by directorate of geology.

Simultaneously, applications for forest and environment clearance have been made.

For detailed exploration, being done in association with directorate of geology, requisite machines and officials have been shifted to the mine site. After the geological mapping of the area, bulk samples will be arranged for testing purposes in the blast furnace.

Sources said, the National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) is being roped into finalise the work relating to contour survey, technical support and supervision during drilling operation, preparations of geological plan and cross section of ore reserves as well as preparation of technical and economic feasibility report.

Meanwhile, a 0.8 million tonne coke oven unit along with the by-product plant coming up within the NINL complex under the aegis of Konark Met Coke Ltd (KMCL), yet another joint venture between MMTC and the Orissa government, are scheduled to go into production during this month.

The coke oven battery is presently under heating and will produce low ash metallurgical coke.

The entire coal requirement for this plant is being imported by MMTC.

Besides, NINL has asked MN Dastur and Co and Mecon to prepare a techno economic revised pre-feasibility report for the second stage expansion of the steel project, sources said.