In a significant step towards unlocking Chhattisgarh’s mineral wealth, the Board of Directors of NMDC-CMDC Limited (NCL) has approved the next phase of exploration at the Baloda-Belmundi Diamond Block in Mahasamund district, according to an official statement.
At its board meeting held in New Delhi, the company approved the commencement of large-diameter drilling, marking a crucial milestone in the scientific assessment of the diamond deposit and paving the way for potential commercial diamond mining in the state.
The large-diameter drilling programme will enable a precise evaluation of the diamond-bearing kimberlite pipe. Based on the findings, a detailed feasibility report will be prepared, which will form the basis for a final decision on the commercial development of the diamond mine, officials said.
According to Saurabh Singh, Chairman of the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation (CMDC) and Director of NCL, “The prudent utilisation of mineral resources and balanced industrial development are essential for India’s economic growth. The Baloda-Belmundi diamond project has the potential to become a historic milestone in positioning Chhattisgarh among the country’s leading diamond-producing states.”
NMDC-CMDC Limited (NCL) is a joint venture between NMDC Limited, a Government of India enterprise, which holds a 51 per cent stake, and the Chhattisgarh Mineral Development Corporation, which holds the remaining 49 per cent. While the company has traditionally focused on iron ore mining, the successful discovery of natural diamonds at Baloda-Belmundi marks its emergence as a multi-mineral development company, the statement said.
NCL identified the prospective kimberlite pipe through stream sediment sampling, geophysical surveys and targeted drilling. Around 200 tonnes of bulk samples were processed at NMDC’s Panna Diamond Processing Plant, yielding five natural diamonds weighing a total of 1.22 carats. The findings provide strong scientific evidence of diamond-bearing geology in the area.
Drawing on the experience of leading diamond-producing countries such as Botswana, South Africa, Canada and Australia, officials said such early-stage discoveries often indicate the presence of commercially viable diamond deposits.
Consequently, the Baloda-Belmundi project is being viewed as a strategically important mineral development initiative not only for Chhattisgarh but also for India.
Meanwhile, the board also reviewed the progress of NCL’s key iron ore projects in Chhattisgarh.
At Bailadila Deposit-4, production has been targeted at one million tonnes during the current financial year, with plans to gradually scale up capacity to seven million tonnes per annum.
Development of Bailadila Deposit-13, which has a proposed production capacity of 10 million tonnes annually, is also progressing steadily, officials added.