NMDC R&D Centre signs MoU with IIT Hyderabad to advance indigenous mining and mineral technologies.
Photo Credit: PIB
New Delhi, February 26, 2026: In a major step towards strengthening India’s minerals and metals sector, NMDC’s Research and Development Centre has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad.
The collaboration aims to advance indigenous technologies in mineral processing, sustainable mining, and next-generation metallurgical solutions.
The MoU was signed by Sanjiv Sahi, Executive Director (R&D), NMDC, and the Dean (Sponsored Research and Consultancy) of IIT Hyderabad, in the presence of B. S. Murthy, Director of IIT Hyderabad.
NMDC focuses on green steel, mineral security and mining 4.0:
The partnership brings together NMDC’s field-level operational expertise and IIT Hyderabad’s academic and research excellence.
Under the MoU, both institutions will jointly pursue research in Iron ore beneficiation and agglomeration, Green steelmaking technologies, alternative ironmaking using indigenous raw materials, Advanced modeling and simulation of mining and metallurgical processes, and Extraction of critical and rare earth minerals from primary and secondary sources.
These initiatives are expected to significantly strengthen India’s mineral security and enhance resource availability for strategic sectors.
Digital transformation and smart mining:
Aligned with the ongoing digital transformation in mining, the collaboration will also focus on Mining 4.0 technologies, including Autonomous vehicle driving systems, Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Internet of Things (IoT) applications, Drone-enabled surveying and real-time monitoring, and pilot-scale research for smart and sustainable mining solutions.
By integrating National Mineral Development Corporation’s operational strengths with research-driven innovation, the alliance aims to deliver technology-led, environmentally responsible, and productivity-enhancing solutions for the Indian mining sector.
Industry—Academia collaboration for Atmanirbhar Bharat:
Speaking on the occasion, Amitabh Mukherjee, Chairman and Managing Director of NMDC, said, “The MoU with IIT Hyderabad strengthens NMDC’s commitment to innovation through industry—academia collaboration. By leveraging IIT Hyderabad’s research excellence and NMDC”s domain expertise, this partnership will advance indigenous technologies in mining, mineral processing, and emerging sectors, contributing to sustainable development and the vision of a self-reliant India.
The collaboration assumes special significance as NMDC’s Research & Development Centre completes 50 years of dedicated contribution to India’s mineral development journey.
The milestone underscores NMDC’s legacy of research excellence and its continued commitment to technological advancement and sustainable mining practices.
Together, NMDC and IIT Hyderabad are set to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of India’s minerals and metals ecosystem, aligning innovation with national priorities under the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.
EOM.
