Mumbai, June 26 -- This clearance, granted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Government of India, positions LMEL's mine to become the largest iron ore operation in the country.

With Gadchiroli emerging as a steel industry hub, LMEL's expanded mine will serve as a foundational enabler for these downstream industries.

Detailing its mining roadmap, Lloyds Metals stated that in the initial years, the company will mine 26 MTPA of Hematite (direct sales ore). The subsequent ramp-up to 55 MTPA capacity will include 45 MT BHQ (banded hematite quartzite). Gradually, as beneficiation plants become operational, LMEL will replace Hematite DSO (direct shipping ore) with beneficiated ore.

Regarding beneficiation, the compan...