State-owned iron ore player NMDC on Monday has said that its R&D centre has inked a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with CSIR- Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (IMMT) in order to pursue joint research projects.

The primary focus of this collaboration between NMDC and CSIR-IMMT will be the development of indigenous technology in order to make the Indian mineral industry self-reliant.

The joint venture will conduct research in the area of low & lean grade iron ore processing, beneficiation of coal, utilisation of mines waste, slurry transportation as well as recovery of tungsten.

The MoU was signed by SK Chaurasiya, GM (R&D), NMDC and Ashok Sahu, chief scientist, CSIR-IMMT, Bhubaneswar.

NMDC R&D centre was set up in 1996 and has been recognized as a centre of excellence in the field of mineral processing by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO).

Commenting on the development, NMDC CMD Sumit Deb said, “While the Indian mining sector enters an era of self-reliance, NMDC is making investments to enhance the use of indigenous technology in mining. This collaboration with CSIR-IMMT is a significant step in that direction.”