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.

Infrastructure Urban

10 Mar 2026

ABB to Invest Rs 6.25 Billion to Expand India Manufacturing

ABB recently announced plans to invest approximately Rs 6.25 billion ($75 million) in India during 2026 to expand its manufacturing footprint and research and development capabilities. The investment follows more than $35 million spent in 2025 and reflects the company’s continued focus on strengthening its ‘local-for-local’ strategy in the country.The investment will support ABB’s Electrification, Motion and Automation businesses and expand manufacturing capacity for infrastructure sectors such as renewable energy, metro rail, data centres and industrial applications. Approximately 300..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

Six WOLFF Cranes Handle 60,000 m³ Concrete for German Hospital

Six WOLFF tower cranes are playing a key role in constructing a new hospital complex in Memmingen, Germany, supporting large-scale material handling for the project. The facility is being built on a 7.7-hectare site and will feature six floors, around 480 beds and a gross floor area exceeding 75,000 sq m.Building shell works began recently in February 2025. One WOLFF 6531.12 Cross crane supported early site preparation before being dismantled in autumn 2025, while five remaining cranes continue operations. Over an average deployment period of 16 months, the cranes are expected to move approxim..

Equipment

10 Mar 2026

REC Funds Rs 115.6 Million CSR Support for Bihar Eye Hospital

REC recently committed Rs 115.6 million under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programme for the procurement of clinical and non-clinical equipment at Sankara Eye Hospital in Saharsa, Bihar. The initiative aims to strengthen healthcare infrastructure and improve access to specialised eye care services in the region.A Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) was recently signed between Pradeep Fellows, Executive Director (CSR), REC Limited, and Wg Cdr V. Shankar (Retd), Trustee and Executive Director of Sankara Eye Hospital, at the REC office in the SCOPE Complex, New Delhi.The support is expecte..