Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research – Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) for Technical and Knowledge cooperation for Critical Minerals at the NALCO Corporate Office in Bhubaneswar. The MoU was signed by Mr. Sadashiv Samantaray, the Director (Commercial) of NALCO & CEO of KABIL, and Dr. Ramanuj Narayan, the Director of CSIR-IMMT, in the coveted presence of Mr. Sridhar Patra, the CMD of NALCO & Chairman of KABIL.
As per the MoU, KABIL shall make use of the technical expertise and services of CSIR-IMMT to undertake various projects, including the design and analysis of metallurgical test work plans, development and review of process flowsheets, and the selection of process technologies for mineral processing, beneficiation, and metal extraction. Furthermore, this agreement shall also kickstart the journey of joint research and facilitate the exchange of scientific information between the two institutions.
KABIL is a Joint Venture company between three PSUs, National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO), Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL), under the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. KABIL identifies, explores, acquires, develops, and mines strategic minerals to ensure supply-side assurance and mineral security of the nation for meeting domestic requirements and provide an impetus to the Make in India initiative.