- A joint initiative of AM/NS India and ICAR-IARI
- Iron ore waste will be used in agriculture!
- Important research from iron ore waste elements
AM/NS & ICAR-IARI : ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI) today signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to conduct advanced research on the sustainable use of iron ore process wastes (IOTs) in agriculture, marking an important step towards a circular economy and resource conservation in India. (AM/NS & ICAR-IARI)
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On this Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Research and Development Head of AM/NS India Dr. Viswanathan N. And ICAR-IARI Joint Director (Research) Dr. C. Viswanathan signed and exchanged, on the occasion ICAR-IARI Principal Scientist and Principal Investigator Dr. Bhupinder Singh and other senior officers of both the organizations were present.
Exploration of Suitability of Iron Wastes in Agriculture
This collaboration is based on an exciting preliminary study initiated in 2024 between AM/NS India and ICAR-IARI to explore the suitability of iron ore processing wastes in agriculture, as these iron ore processing wastes produced during iron ore refining have been found to contain natural minerals such as silica, iron oxide, alumina, calcium and magnesium and other micro and useful nutrients, which can be used for crop production and maintaining soil health.
Promising results ahead
Preliminary laboratory and field studies conducted by ICAR-IARI, New Delhi and AM/NS India near the refinery at Kirandul, Chhattisgarh have revealed promising results. This research has shown that there is potential to use iron ore processing wastes as a source of essential and useful mineral nutrients for other crops including paddy, wheat and vegetables.
Less need for long-term storage of by-products
This present Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) focuses on long-term scientific studies conducted at IARI, New Delhi and AM/NS India, Kirandul during different seasons to evaluate crop response, nutrient availability, phyto-toxicity, leaching characteristics and overall environmental impact. The objective of this research is to generate strong scientific evidence that will enable and ensure the safe and beneficial use of iron ore processing wastes in agriculture. This will help reduce the need for long-term storage of this mining by-product.
Aims to find sustainable solutions
This pioneering research collaboration is aimed at finding sustainable solutions to an important by-product of the mining sector, which will help agricultural productivity and environmental protection. Through advanced scientific experiments and verification, the project will seek to provide technological innovations that enhance the safe and profitable use of iron ore processing wastes, while also creating opportunities for the conservation of natural resources, reduction of wastes and their environmentally sustainable management, reduction of chemical fertilizer imports, and support for a holistic health approach to agriculture, while creating value and wealth creation from resources that would have otherwise required long-term storage.
This activity deals with storage of by-products
Hiroo Ishibashi, Director and Vice President, Technology, AM/NS India, said: “Sustainability and innovation go hand in hand at AM/NS India. This collaboration with ICAR-IARI is a pioneering effort to fully utilize the potential of iron ore processing wastes through science-based research. If successful, this initiative can achieve a beneficial outcome that supports sustainable agriculture and resource conservation by reducing the environmental impact associated with by-product storage. A cycle that benefits both industry and society. It shows our commitment to drive economy solutions.”
Iron deficiency of poor quality soils
The main researcher of the project Dr. Bhupinder Singh said: “Scientific evaluation of the nutrient content of industrial by-products is the first requirement to develop beneficial uses. Indeed, valorisation of wastes is an important area of research for sustainable agriculture and environment. Our preliminary studies have given encouraging indications about the potential use of iron ore processing wastes in agricultural systems. Through this long-term collaborative program with AM/NS India, we aim to generate comprehensive scientific information on agricultural performance, environmental safety and nutrient dynamics, This may help in developing evidence-based approaches for responsible use of iron ore processing wastes, particularly to address iron deficiency of poor quality soils and to improve iron content in agricultural crops to support nutrient enrichment (biofortification) efforts.”
This collaboration with ICAR-IARI further expands the potential ways to transform industrial byproducts into valuable resources, thereby contributing to environmental protection and social benefit.
Consistent with AM/NS India's comprehensive sustainability strategy
This initiative is in line with AM/NS India's comprehensive sustainability strategy focusing on resource efficiency, value addition of waste components and circular economy practices. The company is implementing a number of initiatives to maximize resource utilization, including large-scale recycling of scrap steel, conversion of steel slag into a branded ballast product called “Shape” for infrastructure development, large-scale water reuse through a zero liquid discharge system, and reuse or recycling of more than 90% of process byproducts generated in our operations.
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