Mumbai, Oct. 8 -- Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd (LMEL), India's largest listed iron ore miner by market capitalisation, is preparing for its most ambitious leap yet: a Rs.25,000 crore expansion that will see it transform from a pure-play miner into a fully integrated steelmaker with 6mn tonnes of capacity by 2030.

The expansion, led by managing director B Prabhakaran, marks a pivotal shift for the company and the central Indian region of Gadchiroli, where it is anchoring its growth. Once synonymous with Maoist insurgency, Gadchiroli is now emerging as a hub for heavy industry and infrastructure investment, underpinned by LMEL's steel plans.

Expansion blueprint

The centrepiece of the company's growth strategy is a 4.5mn tonne blast furna...