Hyderabad | October 24, 2016: Iron ore mining public sector major NMDC Limited and Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited (Midhani), specialist in developing metals and alloys, have inked an agreement to work on tungsten ore mining and processing for use in strategic defence areas.

PK Satpathy, Director (Production) on behalf of NMDC, and SK Jha, Director of Midhani, signed the memorandum in presence of Narendra K Nanda, Director (Technical) of NMDC, among others at the NMDC Corporate Office, according to an NMDC statement.

The tungsten metal is of strategic importance to the country, and is used in the manufacture of tungsten-based heavy alloy ammunition systems for armed forces.

Availability of Tungsten in India is limited and not being mined due to the lean ores. India’s requirement of this strategic mineral is being currently met mainly through imports. China is the largest producer of Tungsten producing more than three quarters of world production.

With a strong mining background, NMDC has been working on to acquire mineral assets abroad. And Midhani, with its expertise in metals and alloys, is expected to provide technical support and coordination for Ammonium Para Tungstate (APT). Their complementary strengths can facilitate in developing a venture for tungsten mineral assets in India and abroad.

This alliance would strengthen both NMDC’s and Midhani’s resolve to explore jointly the available tungsten assets in India and consider investment and development abroad. The technology could also be used converting tungsten ore to APT and tungsten powder.

(Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/)