Mining: The House of Dempo

Dempo has been closely identified with its Iron Ore Mining and Export Operations. The first venture, V S Dempo & Co Pvt. Ltd., and its wholly owned subsidiary, Dempo Mining Corporation Pvt. Ltd., were the entities that established the Group as prominent, professional, and responsible miners.

Mining Operations were ISO 9001: 2000 & 14001: 2004 certified

An integrated mechanised mining, processing, blending, transportation and quality control system backed by jetties, barges and two mid-sea ore loading vessels marked the seven decade-old Dempo mining and export record. The nineteen mining leases across Goa, including its largest Bicholim, covered 1800 hectares.

The mining history was highlighted by the enduring half a century old relationship with customer, global steel major Nippon Steel, Japan. The product mix comprised Iron Ore Fines, Calibrated Iron Ore Lumps and Low Phos Magnetite Concentrates.

Research & Development

We were known for our Metallurgical Research and Development Centre (DMRDC), comprising a fully equipped laboratory and pilot plant to develop and test process flow sheets. Among the achievements were a new technique of beneficiation and upgrading, conversion of very low Fe Magnetite Ore to high Fe Ore, low-phosphorous sinter feed concentrates, conversion of rejects to saleable ore and a process to reduce alumina content in ore substantially.

Divestment and thereafter

The Goa mining and logistics businesses were divested in June 2009, as part of a deliberate business strategy, in order both to unlock value, and enable significant investments, upcountry as well as overseas, in greenfield or brown-field mining ventures.

	First in Asia to do away with drilling and blasting in operations and among pioneers in introducing highly mechanized processing techniques
	Consistently high annual export performnce recognised by Government
	Annual ore exports over 4 million WMT in years before divestment
	Annual turnover of mining business over Indian Rupees Ten Thousand Million (US $ 213 Million) in fiscal year preceding divestment

Excavation Activity in Progress

Supervision of Employee Safety and Performance