**Executive Summary**
This document announces a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NMDC's R&D Centre and IIT Hyderabad, signed on February 26, 2026. The collaboration aims to advance indigenous technology in the mineral and metals sector. This collaboration will contribute to the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Partnership Overview:**
* NMDC and IIT Hyderabad have signed an MoU to strengthen academic and research collaboration in advanced mining research.
* The MoU aims to shape the future of India's mineral and metals sector.
* The agreement focuses on advancing indigenous technology in mineral processing and allied areas.
* **Research and Development Focus:**
* Collaboration will drive research in:
* Iron ore beneficiation and agglomeration.
* Green steelmaking technologies.
* Alternate ironmaking using indigenous raw materials.
* Advanced modeling and simulation of mining and metallurgical processes.
* Extraction of critical and rare earth minerals.
* **Digital Transformation:**
* The MoU will promote research and pilot initiatives in:
* Autonomous vehicle movement.
* Artificial Intelligence.
* Internet of Things (IoT).
* Mining 4.0 frameworks.
* Drone-enabled surveying and monitoring.
* **Strategic Goals:**
* The collaboration aims to deliver sustainable, technology-led solutions that enhance efficiency, productivity, and environmental stewardship.
* NMDC and IIT Hyderabad will strengthen India's mineral security and resource resilience.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: NMDC (R&D Centre)**
* **Impact:**
* NMDC strengthens its commitment to innovation through industry-academia collaboration.
* NMDC leverages IIT Hyderabad's research excellence and its own domain expertise.
* NMDC celebrates 50 years of contribution to India's mineral growth story.
* **Action Required:**
* Collaborate with IIT Hyderabad on joint research projects.
* Integrate research outcomes into operational practices.
**Stakeholder: IIT Hyderabad**
* **Impact:**
* IIT Hyderabad advances its role in translating research into industrial applications.
* IIT Hyderabad contributes to national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.
* **Action Required:**
* Collaborate with NMDC on joint research projects.
* Provide research expertise and support to NMDC.
**Stakeholder: Indian Mineral and Metals Sector**
* **Impact:**
* Sector benefits from advanced indigenous technologies in mining and mineral processing.
* Sector will see improvements in sustainability, efficiency, and productivity.
* **Action Required:**
* Follow developments in research and technology resulting from the NMDC-IIT Hyderabad collaboration.
Key Entities Referenced
NMDC: India's largest iron ore producer, and a key player in India's mineral and metals sector.
IIT Hyderabad: Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad, a leading academic institution in India.
MoU (Memorandum of Understanding): Agreement between NMDC and IIT Hyderabad to strengthen academic and research collaboration for advanced mining research.
Atmanirbhar Bharat: The national vision of a self-reliant India.
Ministry of Steel: The ministry overseeing the initiative.
Ministry of Steel
NMDC R&D Centre, IIT Hyderabad Sign MoU to
Strengthen Academic and Research
Collaboration
NMDC R&D Centre Partners with IIT Hyderabad for Advanced
Mining Research
Posted On: 26 FEB 2026 10:47AM by PIB Delhi
The R&D Centre of NMDC, Responsible Miner has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with
Indian Institute of Technology Hyderabad (IITH), a significant step towards shaping the future of India’s
mineral and metals sector. The MoU was signed by Shri Sanjeev Sahi, ED (R&D), NMDC, and the Dean
(Sponsored Research & Consultancy), IIT Hyderabad, in the presence of Prof. B. S. Murty, Director, IIT
Hyderabad, aimed at advancing indigenous technology in mineral processing and allied areas.
This partnership represents a strong collaboration between field expertise and academic excellence.
Together, NMDC and IIT Hyderabad will drive research in iron ore beneficiation and agglomeration,
green steelmaking technologies, alternate ironmaking using indigenous raw materials, and advanced
modeling and simulation of mining and metallurgical processes. The collaboration will also chart new
pathways in the extraction of critical and rare earth minerals from primary and secondary sources,
strengthening India’s mineral security and resource resilience.
Aligned with the rapid digital transformation of the mining sector, the MoU will drive research and pilot
initiatives in autonomous vehicle movement, Artificial Intelligence, Internet of Things (IoT), Mining 4.0
frameworks, and drone-enabled surveying and monitoring. By integrating operational strength withresearch-driven innovation, the collaboration aims to deliver sustainable, technology-led solutions that
enhance efficiency, productivity, and environmental stewardship across India’s evolving mineral
landscape.
On the occasion of the MoU signing, Shri Amitava Mukherjee, Chairman-cum-Managing Director,
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 areas, contributing to sustainable development and the vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”
This partnership underscores NMDC’s commitment to innovation-driven growth and IIT Hyderabad’s role
in translating research into impactful industrial applications. Together, the institutions will contribute to
the national vision of Atmanirbhar Bharat. Significantly, this collaboration comes at a landmark moment
as NMDC’s R&D Centre celebrates 50 years of dedicated contribution to India’s mineral growth story,
reinforcing its legacy of research excellence and its enduring pursuit of technological advancement.
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AG
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