Moil plans iron ore mining in Gadchiroli

Nagpur: Miniratna PSU, Moil Ltd, is planning to enter the iron ore mining sector by acquiring ore blocks in Gadchiroli district. The company is poised to become the first central PSU to venture into iron ore mining in the Naxal-affected district, which is emerging as a hub for the mining and steel industries.
"We have approached the state government and are open to taking up a mining block either through direct allocation or auction. It all depends on the state govt, as Moil is flexible with both modes," said Ajit Kumar Saxena, chairman and managing director (CMD) of Moil.
Formerly known as Manganese Ore India Ltd, Moil currently operates seven mines in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh. The company is now looking to expand into new territories and diversify into other minerals. "Though it's part of a long-term strategy, we are exploring diversification. Apart from iron ore mining in Gadchiroli, Moil is also planning to extract nickel, for which we are considering overseas blocks," Saxena added.
Within the next 18 months, the PSU plans to begin operations in Gujarat in collaboration with the Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC). "Our efforts in Gujarat have led to the discovery of manganese reserves near Vadodara. Similar collaborations have been established with state mining corporations in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, where new mines are expected to be launched," he said.
The company mined 18 lakh tons of manganese in the previous financial year and has now set a target of 22 lakh tons for the current fiscal. With India importing nearly 50% of its manganese requirement, every increase in domestic output is significant, Saxena pointed out. By 2030, the company aims to boost its production capacity to 35 million tons.
This year, MOIL explored 1 lakh square meters of area under exploitation, up from 87,000 square meters last year. The company has already secured environmental clearances for 26.78 lakh square meters as of April 2025, with a strategy in place to ensure smooth expansion and achieve the 2030 production goal.
Currently, Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL) is the only company mining iron ore in Gadchiroli. Additionally, four private sector firms—JSW Group, Sunflag Iron and Steel, Universal Industrial and Technical Services Pvt Ltd, and Natural Resources Energy Pvt Ltd—have secured mining blocks through auctions.
CSR Initiatives by MOIL
As part of its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, Moil has distributed assistive devices to physically challenged individuals. A total of 121 devices—including battery-operated tricycles, hearing aids, wheelchairs, rollators, and walking sticks—were distributed. Moil has also established schools in its mining areas, contributing to the educational development of local communities.