Hyderabad: The Research & Development Centre of NMDC Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with IIT Hyderabad to strengthen academic and research collaboration in the mining and metallurgical sectors.
The partnership aims to promote innovation, indigenous technology development, and sustainable industrial solutions aligned with the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
Expanding Horizons in Mining Research
Under the collaboration, both institutions will focus on:
-
Iron ore beneficiation and agglomeration
-
Green steel manufacturing technologies
-
Alternative iron-making processes using indigenous raw materials
-
Advanced modeling and simulation of mining and metallurgical processes
The partnership will also explore extraction of critical and rare earth minerals from primary and secondary sources, enhancing India’s mineral security and resource availability.
Focus on Digital Mining and Advanced Technologies
The MoU includes research and pilot projects in cutting-edge areas such as:
-
Autonomous vehicle operations in mining
-
Artificial Intelligence (AI) integration
-
Internet of Things (IoT) applications
-
Mining 4.0 frameworks
-
Drone-based surveying and monitoring
These initiatives aim to improve operational efficiency, productivity, safety, and environmental management through technology-driven solutions.
Strengthening Innovation Commitment
NMDC Chairman and Managing Director Amitabh Mukherjee said that the industry-academia collaboration with IIT Hyderabad will further strengthen the company’s commitment to innovation.
He noted that IIT Hyderabad’s strong research ecosystem combined with NMDC’s domain expertise will accelerate the development of indigenous mining and mineral processing technologies, contributing to sustainable development goals.
Boost to Atmanirbhar Bharat and Technological Excellence
The partnership is considered a significant step in translating research into practical industrial applications. It also comes at a milestone moment as NMDC’s R&D Centre completes 50 years of contribution to the mineral sector, reinforcing its legacy of technical excellence and innovation.
With this collaboration, NMDC and IIT Hyderabad aim to position India as a leader in sustainable mining, green steel technologies, and advanced mineral processing solutions.
