NMDC to use Isro expertise for satellite-led mineral exploration

NMDC on Thursday signed an MoU with ISRO, which will allow India’s largest iron ore miner to undertake satellite-based geological mapping for mineral exploration.

The state-run firm signed a memorandum of undertaking (MoU) with ISRO’s National Remote Sensing Centre (NSRC), opening up possibilities for NMDC to utilise the space research agency’s technology for mineral exploration and a host of other related ventures.

NMDC will establish a Remote Sensing and GIS Laboratory at its head office in Hyderabad to interpret satellite data that will help identify and limit mineral potential areas to a smaller zone thereby negating the need for wide physical exploration. P K Satpathy, Director Production, NMDC, said the MoU will herald a new era of mining and open up immense possibilities for NMDC besides exploration.

“Signing of the MoU is a step forward towards fulfilling the nation’s dream of a Digital India as space technology provides real-time data for generation of digital maps,” he added. 

Besides, under NRSC’s expert guidance NMDC will be able to assess the impact of its mining on the environment to ensure sustainable mining by taking preemptive steps for better environment management. The MoU was the outcome of the government’s digitisation process that, amongst others, seeks to fully utilise India’s mining resources since geological mapping is the ideal tool for assessing the mineral potential of inaccessible areas.

The Steel Ministry has also constituted a committee for promoting space application in PSU’s under its ambit. Emphasizing the accuracy of data made available by NRSC, Director Dadhwal informed that organisations like the Central Water Commission, National Highways Authority of India etc. relied on it as their data, provided by satellite technology, was near real time.