Hyderabad: NMDC signed an NMDC IIT Hyderabad MoU with the Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad to strengthen academic and research collaboration in advanced mining and mineral technologies.
The Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant step toward shaping the future of India’s mineral and metals sector. Shri Sanjeev Sahi, Executive Director (R&D), NMDC, signed the agreement with the Dean (Sponsored Research & Consultancy), IIT Hyderabad, in the presence of Director Prof. B. S. Murty.
Under the NMDC IIT Hyderabad MoU, both institutions will promote indigenous technology in mineral processing and allied areas. The collaboration will focus on iron ore beneficiation, agglomeration, green steelmaking technologies and alternate ironmaking using domestic raw materials. In addition, teams will advance modelling and simulation of mining and metallurgical processes.
NMDC IIT Hyderabad MoU to drive digital mining research
The partnership will also explore extraction of critical and rare earth minerals from primary and secondary sources. Therefore, it aims to strengthen India’s mineral security and resource resilience.
Aligned with digital transformation in mining, the MoU includes pilot initiatives in autonomous vehicle movement, Artificial Intelligence and Internet of Things applications. Moreover, researchers will develop Mining 4.0 frameworks and drone-enabled surveying systems to enhance monitoring and operational efficiency.
Chairman-cum-Managing Director Amitava Mukherjee said the agreement reinforces NMDC’s commitment to innovation through industry–academia collaboration. He stated that combining IIT Hyderabad’s research excellence with NMDC’s domain expertise will accelerate indigenous technologies and support sustainable development.
Furthermore, the partnership will translate academic research into practical industrial solutions. Both institutions said the collaboration supports the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
The agreement also coincides with a milestone year for NMDC’s R&D Centre, which completed 50 years of contribution to India’s mineral growth. Officials said the new initiative builds on that legacy and strengthens technology-led advancement in the sector.
