NMDC ltd, the country’s largest producer and exporter of iron ore, would soon install an automatic fire detection & suppression system (AFDSS) in conveyor belts at its Bailadila Iron Ore Mine (BIOM) in Bacheli Complex and Kirandul Complex in Bastar region of Chhattisgarh.
The move assumes significance as NMDC’s conveyor belts had been put on fire earlier by Maoists in deep Bastar jungles causing extensive damage to the assets.
The AFDSS would provide great help in protecting NMDC assets from all types of fire hazards in Bastar, officials stated.
It may be recalled that the company is also mulling over plans to augment the production capacity of its Kirandul Complex in Bastar region in Chhattisgarh with the construction of 12.0 MTPA ‘Screening Plant with loading facilities.
The plant would cater to both Deposit 11-B and 14 of Kirandul Complex, officials stated.
The estimated capital expenditure of the project is ` 951 crores. TATA Consulting Engineers (TCE) is appointed as the EPCM consultant. The entire project has been planned to be executed in seven packages.
On the other hand , it may be recalled that NMDC has offered the contract of project monitoring services at its upcoming 3 MTPA steel plant at Nagarnar to public sector MECON ltd.
Moreover, for expeditious execution and commissioning of the Steel Plant, the nine Major Technological packages in respect of various production units viz. Sinter Plant, Blast Furnace Complex, Raw Material Handling System, Coke Oven Plant, By Product Plant, Steel Melting Shop, Thin Slab Caster & Hot Strip Mill, lime & Dolo Plant and Oxygen Plant have been awarded on turnkey basis, officials stated.
Most of the auxiliary packages have also been awarded. Installation of the plant is moving at fast pace. Already more than 50 per cent of major civil work has been completed and structural as well as equipment erection is at various stages of completion, they stated.
NMDC also recently commissioned its new iron ore mine in Chhattisgarh’s extreme insurgency-hit Dantewada district.
The mine- Bailadila Iron Ore Deposit 11B, is located in Bailadila hills where the NMDC has already several massive high-quality iron ore mines spread out in Bacheli and Kirandul areas.
NMDC has developed the mine having iron ore production capacity of 7 Million Tonnes Per Annum (MTPA) with an investment of more than `600 crore.
With the commissioning of 11b Project Mine, NMDC has ramped up production capacity from present level of 25 MTPA to 32 MTPA from Chhattisgarh’s Bailadila Sector.
The unique features of 11B Project is its 3.5 km long single flight regenerative downhill belt conveying system with horizontal and vertical curves.
The 11B project features 3000 TPH Capacity Gyratory crusher and 1400 TPH Capacity Cone Crusher.
A Memorandum of Understanding has also been signed between NMDC limited and Union Ministry of Steel, on the commitments of NMDC ltd., pertaining to its performance for the year 2015-16.
The significant parameters of the MoU are production and sale of Iron ore including related Financials, Project Implementation, R & D efforts, Environment Monitoring, Energy Conservation, Quality Compliance, Manpower Productivity, Human Resource Management and Customer Satisfaction.
NMDC is also setting up an Energy Monitoring System for its proposed 3.0 MTPA Integrated Steel Plant at Nagarnar near Jagdalpur in Chhattisgarh.
The Energy Monitoring System is used by manufacturing plants where the system comprises of a Centralized Power Monitoring and Control Unit which leads to overall savings in cost incurred during the operation of the plant.
All necessary statutory clearances including Environmental Clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forests (MOEF) and the Government of Chhattisgarh have been obtained for setting up of the Nagarnar plant, officials stated.
The Rail Transport Clearance was received and the Final Detailed Project Report of Railway siding is also approved by East Coast Railway, they stated.
The Chhattisgarh government has sanctioned water and power for construction as well as for operation of the plant as well as for providing power supply to operate the steel plant.