National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) and Defence Metallurgical Research Laboratory (DMRL) signed a memorandum of understanding on Tuesday to jointly work on a project report for potential tungsten reserves in the country and even sourcing it from abroad.
The pact was signed at the NMDC Head Office by its Director (Production) P.K. Satpathy and DMRL Director Samir V. Kamat in the presence of senior officials of both firms.
Tungsten (W) metal is of strategic importance because of its essential requirement in the manufacture of heavy alloy ammunition systems for the armed forces. Availability of the metal within the country is very limited and not being mined as it was economically not viable.
China is the largest producer of tungsten accounting for more than 80 % of world production. Presently, India’s requirement of this strategic mineral is being met through imports, a press release said.
