State-owned NMDC will commence commercial production of thermal coal by the October-December period, targeting sales of approximately 1 million tonnes (MT) within FY27. According to Chairman Amitava Mukherjee, the company has reached the coal seam of the Tokisud North coal mine and production will begin by the next quarter. This marks a significant diversification for the iron ore mining giant, which currently operates as a 99.9% iron ore company under the Ministry of Steel. As per PTI, the company has drawn a roadmap up to 2030 to diversify its mining operations to support the government's Viksit Bharat vision. Mukherjee emphasized that "Right now, we are 99.9 per cent an iron ore company. We aim to help the growing industries in the country with maximum of their mineral needs."
NMDC secured the Tokisud North coal mine with reserves of 52 million tonnes (MT) and the Rohne coking coal block with 191 MT reserves in Jharkhand through coal ministry auctions. The Tokisud North coal mine has an annual peak rated capacity of 2.3 million tonnes, while the Rohne coking coal block has an 8 million tonnes peak rated capacity. The company plans to begin developing the coking coal mine within FY27, with production expected to start as early as FY28. According to PTI, while thermal coal is used to generate power, coking coal is another important raw material used to manufacture steel, making this diversification strategically significant for the company's growth. Mukherjee confirmed that "So this year, NMDC will have coal to offer apart from iron ore, and going forward maybe from next fiscal coking coal too."
In FY26, NMDC reported a 33% rise in total revenues to ₹31,554 crore, compared to ₹23,668 crore in FY25, achieving an all-time high. The company produced a record 53 million tonnes of iron ore in FY26, up from 44 MT in FY25, representing a 20% year-on-year increase. Mukherjee confirmed the company remains on track to achieve its goal of producing 100 MT of iron ore by 2030. Under the Ministry of Steel, Hyderabad-based NMDC alone caters to the country's 20% need of iron ore - a key raw material needed to produce steel. The company operates four major iron ore mining complexes across Chhattisgarh and Karnataka, with the latest diversification into coal and coking coal adding to its mineral portfolio.
Under its roadmap extending to 2030, NMDC aims to diversify its mining operations to support the government's Viksit Bharat vision. The company currently caters to 20% of India's iron ore needs and plans to become India's largest mineral mining company. Mukherjee stated that by 2030, the goal is to earn at least 20% of revenues from minerals other than iron ore. The Chairman did not share any further information related to diversification plans, but confirmed that "NMDC will keep on looking for opportunities for more and more minerals both in India and abroad." As per PTI, NMDC will continue looking for opportunities for more and more minerals both in India and abroad to achieve this ambitious target.
