NMDC, India's largest iron ore producer, plans to reach 60 million tonnes of iron ore production in FY27 to satisfy rising demand from domestic steelmakers, local media reported on September 20, citing the company's Chairman Amitava Mukherjee.

In line with the National Steel Policy 2017, which aims for 300 million tonnes per annum of installed steelmaking capacity in India by FY31, NMDC intends to raise its output to 100 million tonnes during the period.

Mukherjee said the company crossed the 50-million-tonne mark in FY26 and is now carrying out a plan to lift production to 60 million tonnes from existing iron ore mines, along with assets of the NMDC-CMDC Limited joint venture, in the current fiscal year. This would represent a year-on-year increase of about 20%, he added.

NMDC has already sought environmental clearances from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Mukherjee noted.

Asked about the 100 million tonnes target, Mukherjee said the company is on track and would certainly achieve it.

Mine-related infrastructure is being set up at some places, while operations have already begun at certain deposits.

To increase the capacity of existing mines, bids have been invited from interested parties for infrastructure development, including belt conveying systems, crushers and breakers.

NMDC runs four major highly mechanized iron ore mining complexes in India, located in Chhattisgarh (Bailadila sector) and Karnataka (Donimalai sector).

Operating under the Ministry of Steel in India, the Hyderabad-based NMDC alone meets 20% of the country's iron ore requirement.

In FY26, NMDC's total revenues rose 33% to a record Rs 31,554 crore ($3.29 billion), compared with Rs 23,668 crore in FY25.

The company has taken several measures to diversify its offerings as it seeks to become India's largest mineral mining company.

NMDC will begin commercial production of thermal coal in the October-December quarter and aims to sell about 1 million tonnes of the dry fuel in FY27. It will also start developing a coking coal mine in FY27, with production expected as early as FY28.

The chairman did not provide further details on diversification plans, but said his goal was for at least 20% of revenues to come from the sale of minerals other than iron ore by 2030.