The blast furnace operations at NMDC Steel plant in Nagarnar, Chhattisgarh, officially began, signifying a significant stride towards the plant’s operational readiness.
Amitava Mukherjee, who is currently serving as the Chairman and Managing Director, took part in the commissioning, joined by senior management members from NMDC and NMDC Steel (NSL), according to a press release by NMDC.
The blast furnace, with a capacity of 4,506 cubic meters, is designed to produce 9,500 tonnes of molten hot metal daily. The steel plant’s operations will revolve around a zero-discharge approach, producing HR coils, sheets, plates, and hot metal while embracing energy-efficient and eco-friendly technologies, stated Mr. Mukherjee.
The commencement of operations for the Maa Danteshwari blast furnace is a pivotal advancement toward the steel plant’s preparedness for full-scale functioning. The operations kick-started after introducing an initial load of materials, including 1,700 tonnes of coke, 985 tonnes of sinter, 270 tonnes of iron ore, and 245 tonnes of fluxes. NMDC’s iron and steel plant, located on 1,800 acres, carries a capacity of 3 million tonnes per annum and was constructed with a sanctioned budget of ₹23,840 crore. The transition of NMDC Iron and Steel Plant to NSL occurred in October 2022.
Mr. Mukherjee expressed his commendation for the combined endeavors of NSL, MECON, and the support extended by entities like SAIL, RINL, JSW, JSPL, and all stakeholders, recognizing their role in achieving this significant milestone. Tata Projects, in collaboration with technology supplier Danieli Corus BV from The Netherlands, played a key role in designing and constructing the furnace.
