NMDC Signs Agreement For Collaborative Research With CSIR-IMMT In Bhubaneswar

Main Entrance of Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology in Bhubaneswar. OB Photo

Hyderbad: The National Mining Development Corporation (NMDC) has Technology (CSIR-IMMT) in Bhubaneswar on feasibility studies for preparation of fused magnesia from Kimberlite tailings.

Speaking on the project, Sumit Deb, CMD, NMDC said, “NMDC is tapping on the opportunity to utilise Kimberlite tailings from our Panna mines as a resource to produce high cost fused magnesia. We are confident that our endeavor will lead to convert waste to wealth and import substitution proving to be a significant step towards Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

NMDC operates the only mechanised diamond mine in Southeast Asia at Panna in Madhya Pradesh. This mine produces around 10 carats of diamond (2g) from 100 tonne of Kimberlite stones. After processing, hundreds of tonnes of Kimberlite stones are dumped as waste. Kimberlite tailings are used for development of value-added products and are also known to be a good source of caustic magnesia.

In order to address this research gap for the best utilisation of Kimberlite accumulated over the years at Panna diamond mines, the NMDC signed the research agreement to study the processing and preparation of fused magnesia.

The agreement was signed by SK Chaurasiya, general manager (R&D) from NMDC and Ashok Kumar Sahu, chief scientist and Head, Strategy Planning & Business Development, from CSIR-IMMT at NMDC’s head office in Hyderabad.

NMDC’s Director (Production) Dilip Kumar Mohanty and senior and Kali Sanjay, chief scientist and Head, Hydro & Electrometallurgy Department, CSIR-IMMT were present.