On June 18th, the Navaratna PSU NMDC unveiled its novel state-of-the-art Research and Development facility at Patancheru in Hyderabad. This investment by NMDC, Rs 150 crores for research and development in the past five years and Rs 50 crores towards building the new R&D Centre, is a testament to its commitment to advancing innovation in mineral processing and sustainable steel technology for the country.
This novel unit boasts an array of sophisticated instruments, including an automated mineral analyser and an automated fusion bead-based X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analyser, ensuring precise and efficient characterisation of various minerals. The Centre features a dedicated facility for pelletisation studies, which will generate crucial data for the installation of commercial pellet plants to enhance NMDC’s in-house requirements and capabilities, and also provide invaluable insights into the mineral processing sector.
The R&D unit was inaugurated by Mr. Amitava Mukherjee, the CMD (Additional Charge) of NMDC, in the presence of Mr. Dilip Kumar Mohanty, the NMDC Director (Production), Mr. Vinay Kumar, Director (Technical), Mr. B Vishwanath, the CVO, and other senior officers from NMDC.
Mr. Mukherjee said, “Embracing our responsibility to innovate and lead the Indian Mining Industry towards a sustainable future through research and development, we open the doors to NMDC’s new state-of-the-art R&D Center. As we stride forward to innovate and inspire, we are not just investing in research here, we are investing in India’s Future.”
One of the unique aspects of the new R&D Centre is the hydrogen reduction facility, integrated with a microwave-assisted heating furnace. It will play a pivotal role in the development of green steel-making technologies, aligning with global efforts to reduce carbon emissions and promote sustainable practices in the steel industry.
