Bailadila iron ore Deposit-13 being developed by JV: NMDC

New Delhi: State-owned NMDC Friday said Bailadila iron ore Deposit-13 is being developed under a JV, while making it clear that its mining lease will not be transferred to Adani Enterprises which is a mine-developer-cum-operator for the project.

Deposit-13 is being developed by NCL -- a JV between NMDC and Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC). NCL CEO V S Prabhakar said the lease holder for Deposit-13 is NCL and except for NCL, none can transfer the lease to anyone.

"But some people having vested interest are spreading propaganda that the lease has been transferred to Adani Enterprises for a period of 25 years which is not true," he said over phone. Adani Enterprises can only excavate iron ore and deliver it to the rail head, he added. In a statement, NMDC said the 10 mtpa capacity Bailadila iron ore Deposit-13 in Chhattisgarh is being developed under the JV NMDC-CMDC Ltd (NCL). NMDC holds 51 per cent in the JV, while CMDC holds 49 per cent.