NMDC Limited is stepping up its focus on increasing iron ore production, with the company targeting 60 million tonnes (MT) during the current financial year and an ambitious 100 MT production milestone by 2030-31.
The expansion strategy comes as NMDC looks to strengthen its position as a major supplier of iron ore to India’s growing steel industry. The company crossed the 50 MT production mark for the first time in FY2025-26 and is now working towards a significant increase in output.
Production rises 26% during April-August
NMDC produced 23.23 MT of iron ore during April-August 2026, compared with 18.45 MT during the corresponding period of the previous year, registering a growth of around 26 per cent.
Iron ore production in August 2026 stood at around 4.07 MT, against 3.37 MT in August 2025.
Existing mines to drive near-term growth
NMDC is looking to raise production through capacity expansion at its existing mining operations as well as through its joint venture assets.
The company is working on infrastructure expansion involving facilities such as belt conveyor systems, crushers and breakers to improve material handling and enhance mining capacity.
The Bailadila mining complex in Chhattisgarh and Donimalai in Karnataka remain key pillars of NMDC’s iron ore production strategy.
100 MT target by 2030-31
NMDC’s longer-term strategy is aimed at taking iron ore production capacity to 100 MTPA by 2030-31.
The company is pursuing expansion of existing mines while also examining additional mineral resources. Environmental clearances and infrastructure development are among the key components of the expansion programme.
The Donimalai complex is also expected to play an important role in the company’s production growth. Expansion plans include increasing mining capacity and strengthening associated infrastructure.
Diversification beyond iron ore
NMDC’s growth strategy is not confined to iron ore. The company is also expanding into thermal coal, coking coal, critical minerals and rare earth elements as part of its broader diversification strategy.
NMDC has set a target of increasing the contribution of minerals other than iron ore to its revenue, while exploring opportunities across critical and strategic minerals.
The company’s diversification push is aimed at creating additional growth engines while its core iron ore business continues to expand.
Focus on India’s growing steel demand
The production expansion assumes significance as India continues to expand its steel-making capacity, creating sustained demand for domestic iron ore.
With the immediate target of 60 MT in FY2026-27 and the longer-term ambition of 100 MT by 2030-31, NMDC is positioning its mining operations for a substantially larger role in meeting the country’s future raw material requirements.
