MOIL Limited: Powering India’s Steel Sector as the Leading Manganese Ore Producer

By Metals Minerals Publication On May 27, 2025 0

MOIL Limited (Manganese Ore India Ltd) is the largest producer of manganese ore in India, playing a pivotal role in supporting the nation’s steel, battery, and chemical industries. A Miniratna Category-I public sector enterprise under the Ministry of Steel, MOIL contributes over 45% of India’s total manganese ore production and is a strategic asset in India’s mineral and metallurgical ecosystem.

Founded in 1962, MOIL has evolved from a regional mining operation into a technologically advanced, diversified mining PSU serving both domestic and export markets.

Core Business: Manganese Ore Mining

MOIL’s primary business involves the exploration, development, and mining of manganese ore, which is a crucial raw material in:

Steel production (used in ferroalloys)
Dry cell batteries
Chemicals and pigments

The company operates 11 mines—7 in Maharashtra and 4 in Madhya Pradesh—mainly located in the mineral-rich Nagpur, Bhandara, and Balaghat regions.

Key Mines:

Balaghat Mine (MP): The largest and deepest underground manganese mine in Asia.
Dongri Buzurg and Kandri Mines (MH): Major open-cast operations.

MOIL produces various grades of manganese ore including:

High-grade ore (for ferroalloys)
Ferro-grade ore
Battery-grade ore
Chemical-grade ore

Strategic Importance of Manganese

Manganese is essential for the manufacture of steel, as it improves strength, toughness, and wear resistance. No viable substitutes exist for manganese in steelmaking, making MOIL a strategic supplier for India’s growing steel industry.

With India aiming for 300 million tonnes of steel production by 2030, MOIL’s role is more critical than ever in securing raw material self-sufficiency.

Value-Added Products and Diversification

MOIL has been increasing its focus on value addition through:

Ferro manganese and silico manganese production
Manganese dioxide (for batteries and chemicals)
Beneficiation and sintering plants to improve ore quality

The company is also actively exploring new manganese blocks in Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh to enhance reserves and meet future demand.

Modernization and Sustainability Initiatives

MOIL is committed to technological advancement and environmental sustainability. Key initiatives include:

Mechanization of underground mining
Use of modern ventilation and safety systems
Afforestation and mine reclamation
Solar energy adoption to reduce carbon footprint

MOIL also invests in community development, providing education, healthcare, and infrastructure support in tribal and mining-affected areas.

Financial Strength and Governance

MOIL is a listed PSU, traded on both NSE and BSE, with a track record of strong financials, consistent profitability, and regular dividend payments. The Government of India holds a majority stake, while other shareholders include institutional and retail investors.

MOIL’s status as a Miniratna PSU provides it with operational autonomy to undertake strategic and capital-intensive projects.

Future Plans and Growth Outlook

MOIL has laid out an ambitious vision to:

Increase production from ~1.5 million tonnes to 3 million tonnes per annum by 2030
Expand mining capacity and acquire new leases
Develop joint ventures in alloy production
Explore overseas partnerships for raw material security

The company aims to be a globally competitive manganese miner, aligned with the government’s Atmanirbhar Bharat (Self-Reliant India) mission.