NMDC signs key MOA with Geological Survey of India

NEW DELHI: NMDC has achieved one more milestone in the field of mineral exploration when it signed Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) with Geological Survey of India for sharing of Aero-Geophysical Data (Magnetic) for Mineral Exploration in part of Obvious Geological Potential (OGP Block-2) in Madhya Pradesh, on Wednesday.

The MoA was signed by Shri M. Mahadevan, Executive Director (RP&S) on behalf of NMDC and Dr Dayanand, DDG and HoD, AMSE, GSI in the presence of P K Satpathy, Director (Production); Dr T R K Rao, Director (Commercial), NMDC and senior officials of NMDC, GSI, NRSC-ISRO, NGRI and Osmania University, Hyderabad.

With its expertise team of geologists, NMDC was identified as a Nodal Agency by Ministry of Mines, Government of India for specialized mineral exploration works.

The data would be processed jointly by NMDC-Centre of Exploration Geophysics, Osmania University, Hyderabad for obtaining more diamondiferous areas/targets in the 18 diamondiferous blocks allocated to NMDC through Gazette by GOMP.

All the Aero-Mag anomaly maps would be generated by NMDC-CEG by using Geosoft Oasis Montage Software will be used for Kimberlite search by NMDC. NMDC has already identified 45 target areas for drilling for diamondiferous kimberlites in Madhya Pradesh. NMDC has also identified iron bearing areas in Sidhi- Singrauli Block in M.P. Recently, NRSC and NMDC have developed a mobile app to collect field data with location and field photo and catalogue to collect geological information and for viewing in "Bhuvan Portal".

The signing of this Memorandum of Agreement with Geological Survey of will be a historic step for the country as the processed data may provide clues for hidden deposits.