NMDC opens international office in Dubai, eyes critical mineral assets across Africa, Australia
mining
company
NMDC
opened its
international office
in
Dubai
, aiming to enhance its global footprint and accelerate the acquisition of critical and
strategic mineral assets
across Africa, Australia, South America, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region.
The Dubai office will serve as NMDC's international operations centre and provide real-time market intelligence, support technical and legal due diligence, and facilitate engagement with local authorities and business partners.
Union Minister for Steel and Heavy Industries H.D. Kumaraswamy inaugurated the office in the presence of Indian Ambassador to the UAE Sunjay Sudhir, NMDC CMD Amitava Mukherjee, SAIL CMD Amarendu Prakash, and Consul General of India in Dubai Satish Kumar Sivan.
Speaking at the launch, CMD Amitava Mukherjee said, 'Dubai represents a gateway to global opportunity. With this new office, NMDC is poised to redefine the mining landscape. With our expansion we are revolutionizing our approach to mineral development, securing India's position as a leader in the mining industry, driving innovation in resource utilization.'
The Dubai centre will track developments in the global mining sector, including government policies and regulatory changes, and provide timely decision support to NMDC's leadership. It will also be instrumental in facilitating partnerships in Mining Equipment and Technology Services (METS) and in building a global network for peer insights and data sharing.
NMDC is currently evaluating ten global strategic mineral assets and is exploring options to acquire critical mineral blocks in resource-rich geographies. The international presence is expected to strengthen India's integration into global mineral supply chains and ensure
resource security
.
The company said the Dubai office will serve as a hub for its international engagement efforts, supporting India's ambitions in the
critical minerals
domain.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Hans India
28 minutes ago
- Hans India
Operations and Projects Manager Discusses Optimization of Large-Scale Greenhouse Construction for Agriculture
The benefits of greenhouse use have improved over time, with new techniques emerging as well. Consequently, the relationship between agricultural greenhouses and the needs of farmers and field workers has historically gained numerous alternatives, although new precautions have also become necessary. When trying to align a specific crop with the climatic or geographical reality of certain locations, for example, producers have had to be meticulous in their choices, and sharper optimization of resource use has become essential. For this reason, specialists have spared no effort in making the best possible decisions for each project. 'Known as the 'world's supermarket,' agriculture's importance extends far beyond the economic sphere, which means that the preparation of professionals like us, working alongside farmers, must be increasingly refined and precise. In many cases, there would be no extra time for corrective strategic planning—also known as a reengineering project—if something were to go wrong.' This summary of the importance of making sound decisions in the relationship between agricultural greenhouses and production comes from Operations Project Management specialist Rohit Ravi Teja Nagari. In this specific area alone, the Indian professional has nearly a decade of experience as a manager in construction and project execution. Data Highlights the Importance Figures from the past year help explain why agricultural production systems receive such careful attention. Brazil, as an emerging economy and a key player in Latin America and the Southern Hemisphere, recorded a milestone through federal government–organized financial incentive programs. The main program is known as Plano Safra (Harvest Plan). In short, it allocates federal funds annually to agricultural work, distributed to producers through accredited banks. These institutions, together with the federal government itself, are responsible for disbursing the subsidies. Analyzing the projects and strategic plans of each producer applying for the program is one of the duties of those managing the allocated funds. In 2024, a record was reached with an investment of nearly USD 100 billion. Given the country's continental size, producers in all regions—from north to south—benefit from this, the largest local program in the sector. Brazil is known for its subtropical climate, with average temperatures close to 30°C (86°F) in most regions. However, in the country's south, harsher winters become the main challenge for some crops. In such cases, greenhouses are major allies for farmers. A successful example is strawberry production in cities in the warm interior of São Paulo state. Something similar can be seen in the United States, where the Indian expert also works. 'Our work has contributed significantly to advancing sustainable agricultural infrastructure, food security, and workforce optimization in the United States—especially in the areas of large-scale greenhouse development and efficient supply chain operations for fresh produce,' said the specialist, commenting on similar initiatives he has supported in the North American context. Historical Evolution The use of greenhouses in agricultural production environments is believed to date back thousands of years, to Chinese and Roman civilizations—both in the East and West. However, the models most similar to today's techniques may have originated in the East, specifically in Korea, during the 1800s. The industrialization boom of that period, the accelerated rural population decline, and the resulting increase in urban consumption demanded rapid advances in agricultural production techniques. Added to this was the idea of expanding territories, cultures, and economies—more succinctly called globalization. These social phenomena intensified from the second half of the last century onward. Given this combination of historical factors, countries such as the United States had to invest heavily in techniques for the sector. Once again, agricultural greenhouses played a leading role. In this scenario, large-scale productions led by Rohit Ravi Teja Nagari stand out for their efficient use of resources and, above all, their effectiveness in meeting the needs of the general population. 'At Nourse Farms, LLC in North Carolina, I led the construction and renovation of over 1.24 million square feet of greenhouses, integrating advanced systems such as Haygrove climate-controlled ventilation tunnels and GEGE Machinebouw elevated tray systems. These innovations significantly increased crop productivity, reduced labor dependence, and improved working conditions for agricultural workers—contributing to more efficient, safer, and environmentally responsible agricultural production,' the specialist described, highlighting some successful projects. Knowledge that Adds Value Project and Operations Management, one of the cornerstones of Rohit Ravi Teja Nagari's background and expertise, has been fundamental to the success of these plans. The mission of planning, organizing, directing, and controlling project outcomes relies on three pillars: available resources, set deadlines, and the quality to be achieved according to the proposal. If any of these three pillars becomes unbalanced, the performance of the others—and thus the final result—may be compromised. In other words, professionals must balance these three central pillars step by step in the strategic planning of each project—usually long-term—or operations, which are typically more practical and short-term. 'This is a crucial precaution for the sake of agricultural production, ensuring there are no delays or losses. It's also an essential focus for our direct contribution to large-scale greenhouse production to meet nationwide demand. It's a strict step-by-step schedule—sometimes with unique, project-specific elements—but often, quality and efficiency cannot wait, even when we're talking about long-term goals.' Other Career Details Rohit Ravi Teja Nagari is an Operations and Project Manager with over seven years of diverse experience in greenhouse construction, agricultural production, mechanical engineering, and high-efficiency packaging center operations. A leader in infrastructure development and supply chain execution, he has overseen multimillion-dollar projects, managing budgets exceeding USD 10 million and leading teams of over 75 employees. Currently serving as Operations and Project Manager at Nourse Farms, LLC in North Carolina, he led the planning and delivery of two major greenhouse projects totaling 1.24 million square feet. He played a key role in integrating advanced technologies such as Haygrove's patented ventilation tunnels and GEGE Machinebouw elevated tray systems, which significantly boosted agricultural productivity, improved working conditions, and reduced costs. His expertise covers the entire project life cycle—from excavation and HVAC systems to automation integration and implementation of standard operating procedures (SOPs)—with a consistent track record of delivering on time and within budget. Previously, at Cervini Farms North Carolina Inc., he managed the production and packaging of over 180,000 pounds of fresh vegetables per week, including tomatoes and cucumbers. His strategic leadership resulted in a 25% production increase, USD 500,000 in annual savings, and a 98% fulfillment rate for major retail chains such as Walmart, Costco, and Target. He also played a key role in obtaining the prestigious North Carolina Department of Labor Gold Star Standard certification for new agricultural housing facilities.
India Today
28 minutes ago
- India Today
Assam to get first IIM in Guwahati, northeast's second, as bill passes in parliament
Parliament has passed the Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025, paving the way for Assam's first Indian Institute of Management in Guwahati. This will be the second IIM in the Northeast after IIM Bill, tabled a few days ago, was cleared this week after debate in both Houses. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan called the decision a 'historic milestone' in Assam's journey as an emerging hub of higher to X, Pradhan wrote that IIM Guwahati will help address regional disparities in higher education, provide world-class management training, and strengthen research in the field. He said the move reflects Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to bring premier institutions to every corner of the country, particularly the Northeast.A historic milestone in Assam's ascent as an eminent educational the passage of The Indian Institutes of Management (Amendment) Bill, 2025 in the Parliament, Assam gets its 1st #IIM in Guwahati. Envisioned by Hon'ble PM Shri @narendramodi ji as an outcome of the Dharmendra Pradhan (@dpradhanbjp) August 20, 2025IIM GUWAHATI SET TO BRIDGE EDUCATION GAP IN NORTHEAST, BOOST LOCAL OPPORTUNITIESThe institute is being set up as part of a trilateral agreement between the Union government, the Assam government, and the United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA).The agreement was framed to push long-term peace and development in Assam. Establishing a top management institute in the state is seen as part of this broader also congratulated Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and the people of the state, noting that the Centre has fulfilled another commitment made under the 'Purvodaya' vision for eastern said the new institute will contribute to the development of the 'Ashtalakshmi', a reference to the eight northeastern states seen as key to India's growth Guwahati is expected to give students from Assam and neighbouring states greater access to high-quality management education without having to travel to distant is also likely to attract faculty, researchers, and corporate linkages to the region, boosting local the passage of this Bill, Assam joins the national map of IIMs for the first the Northeast, it marks the addition of a second premier management institute, strengthening the education network in a region that has often felt left out of India's higher education growth story.- Ends
Economic Times
28 minutes ago
- Economic Times
Online Gaming Bill: Cricket industry's revenue could be hit due to proposed ban on real money gaming
Synopsis The 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025' threatens real money gaming platforms, potentially impacting sports sponsorships, especially in cricket. While the bill aims to regulate the burgeoning online gaming industry, it distinguishes between esports and real money gaming, favoring the former. The proposed legislation could lead to decreased revenue for fantasy gaming companies and affect player endorsements. Representational image The 'Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill 2025', which was introduced in the Lok Sabha on Wednesday, could spell the end of "real money gaming platforms", that have stakes in the sponsorship market of Indian sports, most significantly cricket. The contents of the bill, which aims to regulate one of the fastest growing industries, is music to the ears for the Esports fraternity in the country. But the multi-billion dollar fantasy gaming industry comprising companies that have spent big money in sponsorship of cricket might see a marked dip in their revenues. And as a chain reaction, it could also affect the sports sponsorship market, including individual players' sponsorship and franchise-based domestic leagues of disciplines like kabaddi and football. The Online gaming regulation bill looks to create a regulatory body that will look after four diverse segments -- Esports, educational gaming, social and casual gaming and real money gaming. Of these, there will be restrictions on online money games, states the document which is in possession of PTI. As per "PROHIBITIONS" clause: "No person shall offer, aid, abet, induce or otherwise indulge or engage in the offering of online money game and online money gaming service. "No bank, financial institution, or any other person facilitating financial transactions or authorisation of funds shall engage in, permit, aid, abet, induce or otherwise facilitate any transaction or authorisation of funds towards payment for any online money gaming service." The "OFFENCES AND PENALTIES" clause clearly terms real money gaming as a criminal offence which could lead to jail and humongous fine for the service provider. Clause 9. (1) reads "Any person who offers online money gaming service in contravention of section 5 shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to three years or with fine which may extend to one crore rupees or with both. Clause 9. (2) reads: "Any person who makes or causes to make advertisement in any media, in contravention of section 6, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with fine which may extend to fifty lakh rupees or with both. The government makes it clear that real money gaming is leading to a lot of social problems and it needs some kind of regulation. "....the parallel proliferation of online money games accessible through mobile phones, computers and the internet, and offering monetary returns against user deposits has led to serious social, financial, psychological and public health harms, particularly among young individuals and economically disadvantaged groups; "...such games often use manipulative design features, addictive algorithms, bots and undisclosed agents, undermining fairness, transparency and user protection, while promoting compulsive behaviour leading to financial ruin." Implications of the Bill =============== Cricket is one sport which has seen a huge influx of real money gaming with Indian team's title sponsor being Dream 11. My11Circle is the official fantasy sports partner of the money-spinning Indian Premier League. Dream11 brought the Indian team's title rights for about USD 44 million (Rs 358 crore approx). My11Circle brought IPL fantasy gaming rights for a fee of Rs 625 crore for five years (Rs 125 crore approx annually). Add to this the country's top cricketers -- former as well as current -- have hefty personal endorsement deals with various real money gaming platforms. Noted sports lawyer Vidushpat Singhania, who has a deep understanding of the subject, explained the consequences in a nutshell. "Cricket is huge in India and there won't be any dearth of sponsors for Indian cricket and its properties. However, personal sponsorship market can shrink because of this bill. "Also fan engagement will be affected," Singhania told PTI. He, however, explained that fantasy games can still run a subscription based model. "There will be a subscription fee and say you pay Rs 100 for a gaming app and test your skills in fantasy gaming. But real money gaming which is paying and earning money, that is prohibited as per this bill." The gigantic revenue stream of all these fantasy gaming apps will certainly diminish due to the ban and hence money flowing back into the sport will decrease markedly. Joy for Esports Market ============== Esports made its debut at the Hangzhou Asian Games in 2023 and the International Olympic Committee will be conducting its first Esport Olympics in Riyadh in 2027. Sharing his thoughts on this development, Akshat Rathee, Co-founder and Managing Director of NODWIN Gaming, says, "The government's intent to recognise and promote esports, as highlighted in the recent bill, is an encouraging step towards building a structured and globally competitive ecosystem. "However, for this vision to truly materialise, it is critical that the terminology used in the bill, particularly the distinctions between esports, online gaming, online social gaming, and online money gaming be clearly defined and uniformly understood."
