DAITARI IRON ORE PROJECT

The Daitari iron ore project is the flagship of OMC's operations. It is fully mechanized with two shift operation and one shift maintenance. Dhaitari is expected to produce three million tones of washed as well as screened calibrated iron ore and fines. The second largest steel plant of orissa Neelachal Ispat Nigam principally outsources its raw material requirement from Dhaitari.

During the early part of sixties, the 50 million tonnes BF grade iron ore deposit explored by the Indian Bureau of Mines was conceived as a mechanised iron ore mine for production of 2 million tonnes of washed iron ore for export through 150 Kms. long express highway linked from Daitari to Paradip port. The mechanised mining , the Express Highway and development of Paradip Port was an integrated project of the State of Orissa. Today, the Daitari Iron Ore Plant is the flagship of OMC's operations. Fully mechanized with round-the-clock operations.......

The Ore Handling Plant (OHP) for crushing, screening and washing of iron ore lump and fines was constructed by Hungarian Experts in the name of NIKEX, Hungary and mine development was executed by indigenous experts. The large water reservoir was created by construction of a spillway and earthen dam on a pereneal river stream and 1050 residential quarters were constructed for accommodation of officers and staff working in Daitari mine.

The mine is situated at an altitude of 860 meters stretched over a length of 2 Kms. having band of iron ore of 100 meters depth. The crusher plant on the top of the hill is connected by a 3 Kms. long haul road to receive iron ore from the mine face by large capacity dump trucks and passes on the crushed product of 100 mm size down to the washing plant situated at the bottom of the hill through a 3.8 Kms. long belt conveyor. The product is screened and washed at the washing plant and then discharged to the bunkers for storage of the finished product .the finished product was being hauled by trucks to Paradip Port through a 150 Kms. long Express Highway and is now moved by railway connected to the port and is being exported to Japan, Romania, China, Malayasia, Pakistan etc.

The township is situated at an altitude of 400 meters comprising of more then 1000 residential quarters. The basic infrastructure comprises of education upto standard X, road, electricity, telephone, water supply, bank, police station, hospital, post office, forest office etc. apart from the office, workshop, central store, water treatment plant etc.

Today Daitari is connected by a railway line upto Paradip port and the mineral is hauled by 60 tonner railway wagons. Although the mechanised iron ore mining started in the year 1971, little over 5 million tonnes have been produced so far mainly due to depressed market conditions.

Due to fluctuating export market for BF grade iron ore, the annual despatch was sluggish and did not reach 0.5 million tonnes which necessiated production inspite of the capacity to produce 2 million tonnes pre annum.

Inspite of the nearness to the Port and the freight advantage for export, the first prestigious mine of OMC suffered serious set backs all through the year mainly due to market condition . when the mine is very near to the Port , is far away from different steel plants situated in the country and due to the extra cost of railway freight from Daitari the procurement by indigenous steel plants, was prohibitive. Hence the mine had to depend upon the export market only.

Today, many steel plants are coming up around Daitari mine and will have a good market potential for steady production and despatch of material at profit. The set back sustained over the years is hoped to be gained back within a period of 5 years.

The 30 year old plant needs extensive renovation and modernisation in order to cope up with the present production requirement and match with the mining machineries . Daitari hopes that the original dream of production of 2 million tonnes per annum will come to life during the year 2002.

Kaliapani Chrome Ore