NMDC, India's largest iron ore miner, is set to begin commercial thermal coal production in the October-December quarter of FY27, with plans to sell up to 1 million tonnes of the dry fuel within the same fiscal year, according to Chairman Amitava Mukherjee.

Speaking to PTI, Mukherjee said the state-owned company – which operates under the Ministry of Steel and meets 20% of India's iron ore demand – has outlined a diversification roadmap through 2030 in line with the government's Viksit Bharat vision.

"Right now, we are 99.9% an iron ore company. We aim to help the growing industries in the country with maximum of their mineral needs," he stated, adding that commercial mining at the Tokisud North coal block has reached the coal seam, with output commencing next quarter.

In addition, NMDC expects to start developing the Rohne coking coal mine within FY27, targeting production as early as FY28. "So this year, NMDC will have coal to offer apart from iron ore, and going forward maybe from next fiscal coking coal too," Mukherjee noted.

The Tokisud North mine holds 52 million tonnes of reserves with a peak rated capacity of 2.3 million tonnes per annual, while the Rohne block has 191 million tonnes of reserves and an 8 million tonnes peak capacity. Both were acquired through a coal ministry auction.

On diversification, Mukherjee said he aims to transform NMDC into India's largest mineral mining company, pursuing opportunities both domestically and abroad. By 2030, his goal is for at least 20% of revenue to come from non-iron ore minerals. In FY26, total revenue rose 33% to a record Rs31,554 crore ($3.34 billion), up from Rs23,668 crore in FY25.

For iron ore, NMDC remains on track to produce 100 million tonnes by 2030. The company recorded record output of 53 million tonnes in FY26, up 20% from 44 million tonnes in FY25, and expects to sustain that growth. NMDC currently operates major mechanised iron ore mining complexes in Chhattisgarh (Bailadila) and Karnataka (Donimalai).