NMDC to Extract $3.4 Million in Diamonds from Mine Near Tiger Reserve

23 Jan 2025 CW Team

The Supreme Court subsequently allowed NMDC to resume mining under certain guidelines, clearing the way for the company to restart operations. While NMDC has not yet commenced new mining activities, it is currently focusing on extracting and processing diamonds from the ore stockpiles at the Panna mine, the sources revealed.

The company mentioned that ore mining would begin in two to three months, while diamonds are being processed by feeding old stockpiles in the interim, according to a statement sent to Reuters via email. Since the resumption of operations, NMDC has already extracted diamonds worth 3,700 carats, amounting to $1.93 million, the sources, who requested anonymity until NMDC publicly discloses its diamond output, added.

The Panna mine, covering 275.96 hectares (681.91 acres), has been operational since the early 1970s and remains the only mechanized diamond mine in India. Madhya Pradesh is one of Asia’s key diamond mining regions.

Other global and domestic mining companies have attempted diamond extraction at the Bunder project near the Panna reserve but with little success. Before exiting the Bunder project in 2016-17, Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto had invested approximately $90 million over 14 years. Following Rio Tinto's departure, mining at the Bunder project has not resumed, mainly due to concerns about its location within a forested area that is home to tigers and other wildlife.

India's state-run miner NMDC is expected to extract 6,500 carats of diamonds, valued at $3.4 million, this fiscal year from ores located near a tiger reserve, following the receipt of mining clearances last year, according to two sources. The miner had faced delays in obtaining environmental clearances and was forced to halt mining operations for over three years at the Panna mine in Madhya Pradesh due to its proximity to the tiger reserve. The Supreme Court subsequently allowed NMDC to resume mining under certain guidelines, clearing the way for the company to restart operations. While NMDC has not yet commenced new mining activities, it is currently focusing on extracting and processing diamonds from the ore stockpiles at the Panna mine, the sources revealed. The company mentioned that ore mining would begin in two to three months, while diamonds are being processed by feeding old stockpiles in the interim, according to a statement sent to Reuters via email. Since the resumption of operations, NMDC has already extracted diamonds worth 3,700 carats, amounting to $1.93 million, the sources, who requested anonymity until NMDC publicly discloses its diamond output, added. The Panna mine, covering 275.96 hectares (681.91 acres), has been operational since the early 1970s and remains the only mechanized diamond mine in India. Madhya Pradesh is one of Asia’s key diamond mining regions. Other global and domestic mining companies have attempted diamond extraction at the Bunder project near the Panna reserve but with little success. Before exiting the Bunder project in 2016-17, Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto had invested approximately $90 million over 14 years. Following Rio Tinto's departure, mining at the Bunder project has not resumed, mainly due to concerns about its location within a forested area that is home to tigers and other wildlife.

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Suraj Estate Wins Euromoney Award for India’s Best Residential Developer

"Suraj Estate Developers Limited has received the Euromoney Real Estate Award 2025 for ‘India’s Best Residential Developer’, positioning the company among globally benchmarked leaders in the sector. The recognition reflects its four-decade legacy in delivering high-quality residential and redevelopment-led projects across South Central Mumbai. The Euromoney Real Estate Awards, presented by the London-based Euromoney magazine, are widely regarded as one of the most credible global assessments of performance in real estate, banking and finance. Winners are selected through surveys of inte..

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

Lloyds Metals, Tata Steel Sign MoU to Explore Strategic Collaboration

"Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited has signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with Tata Steel Limited to evaluate potential areas of strategic cooperation across mining, logistics, pelletisation and steelmaking. The MoU was signed by B Prabhakaran, Managing Director of Lloyds Metals, and Mr T V Narendran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Steel. The partnership framework aims to leverage the natural operational synergies between both companies and assess opportunities in greenfield steel projects, iron ore mining, slurry pipeline infrastructure, pellet manufacturing in iron ore–ric..

Building Material

11 Dec 2025

IndiaAI, Gujarat Govt Host Regional Conclave Ahead of 2026 AI Summit

The IndiaAI Mission under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, along with the Government of Gujarat and IIT Gandhinagar, convened a Regional Pre-Summit Event at Mahatma Mandir, Gandhinagar. The initiative is part of the build-up to the India–AI Impact Summit 2026, scheduled for 15–20 February 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. The conclave brought together senior policymakers, technology leaders, researchers and industry practitioners to examine how AI can accelerate economic, digital and social transformation across sectors. The programme focused on the overarching th..