NMDC Chairman Targets 60 MT Iron Ore Output This Fiscal as 100 MT 2030 Plan Advances

The 60 MT Goal and What Drives It

NMDC Chairman Amitava Mukherjee said India's largest iron ore producer is working toward a 60 million tonne (MT) production mark in the current fiscal, a step up from the 50 MT milestone it crossed in FY2026. Mukherjee attributed the push to growing demand from domestic steelmakers for the key raw material, with output drawn from existing mines and assets held through the NMDC-CMDC Limited (NCL) joint venture. Reaching 60 MTPA would represent a rise of around 20 per cent year-on-year, according to his remarks to PTI.

Policy Anchor and the 2030 Outlook

Mukherjee tied the ramp-up to the National Steel Policy 2017, which sets a domestic installed steelmaking capacity target of 300 MT by 2030-31. Within that framework, NMDC aims to lift its own output to 100 MT over the same period. Asked about progress toward that longer-term goal, Mukherjee said, "We are progressing well. We are on track, and will definitely achieve it."

Mines, Footprint and Permitting

NMDC operates four major mechanised iron ore mining complexes in Chhattisgarh's Bailadila sector and Karnataka's Donimalai sector, supplying roughly 20 per cent of India's iron ore needs under the oversight of the Ministry of Steel. Mukherjee said environmental clearances have been sought from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for some deposits, while mine-related infrastructure is being built at others and some are already operational. Bids have been invited for additional capacity work at existing mines, including belt conveying systems, crushers and breakers.

Financials and the Diversification Track

NMDC posted a 33 per cent rise in total revenues to an all-time high of ₹31,554 crore in FY26, up from ₹23,668 crore in FY25. The chairman outlined parallel moves beyond iron ore, with commercial thermal coal production set to begin in the October-December quarter and around 1 MT of thermal coal sales targeted within FY27. A coking coal mine is to be developed within FY27, with production aimed for as early as FY28. Mukherjee set a target of earning at least 20 per cent of revenues from the sale of minerals other than iron ore by 2030, without detailing further diversification plans.