Union Steel Minister visited Afghanistan in April, 2012 and an MoU on Cooperation in the field of Steel Sector was also signed between Minister of Steel, Government of India and Minister of Mines, Islamic Republic of Afghanistan.
Earlier, the SAIL led consortium AFISCO, which had submitted its bid for mining exploration rights at Hajigak, had won the status of Preferred Bidder for blocks B, C and D of the mines on November 29th 11, with an estimated reserve of 1.28 billion tonnes of high grade magnetite iron ore.
The consortium will now have the opportunity to enter into a Hajigak Project Contract with the Ministry of Mines of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan after formal negotiations and to receive a license to further explore, develop and exploit the Hajigak iron ore deposits.
A delegation led by Union Steel Minister visited Japan in July, 2012 and signed an MoA with Kobe Steel Limited, Japan for ITmK3 technology. It envisages installation of a 0.5 million tonnes ITmk3 technology based plant at ASP, Durgapur. This unit will produce premium grade iron nuggets from iron ore fines and non-coking coal.
A Term Sheet outlining the terms of the proposed JVA has been signed with M/s Kobe Steel on December 28th 2011. A JVC SAIL Kobe Iron India Private Limited has been incorporated on 25th May 2012.
NMDC has acquired 50% equity in Legacy Iron Ore Limited, Australia at a total investment of about AUD 18.89 million.
Restructuring of Bird Group of Companies completed while Orissa Minerals Development Company Limited conferred Schdule B status and Birsa Stone Lime Company conferred Schedule C status with effect from 06th August, 2012.
RINL, Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and Power Grid Corporation of India Limited signed a MoU to set up a JVC for manufacturing of Transmission Line Towers and Tower Parts.
RINL has signed an MoU with NMDC for setting up of a pellet plant of 4 million tonne per annum at Visakhapatnam and for laying of slurry pipeline from Bailadila to Visakhapatnam.
Meanwhile, RINL and POWERGRID signed an MoU on July 27th 2012 with an intention to incorporate a JVC for setting up a plant of viable size to produce CRGO/CRNO steel at Visakhapatnam.
