Tata Steel Taps Lloyds Metals JV to Run Odisha Manganese Mine

Tata Steel has awarded the operation of its Joda West manganese mine in Odisha to Brahmani River Pellets Ltd (BRPL), deepening its partnership with Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd as the steelmaker looks to strengthen its mining operations and optimise capital expenditure.

BRPL is fully owned by Thriveni Pellets Pvt. Ltd, in which Tata Steel holds a 50.01% stake and Lloyds Metals holds the remaining 49.99%. The arrangement brings the mining and operational capabilities of the two companies together under the Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) model.

The Joda West mine is one of Tata Steel’s four manganese ore mines in Odisha. The company has a combined manganese ore production capacity of around 300,000 tonnes a year across Tiringpahar, Bamebari, Joda West and Khondbond. The mining leases for these operations are currently valid until 2030.

According to people familiar with the development cited by Mint, Tata Steel could consider awarding operations of its other manganese mines to BRPL if the company delivers the required operational efficiency at Joda West.

Tata Steel said it works with a pool of registered MDOs and that the selection of operators is based on its procurement process and competitiveness. The company is also using a combination of departmental mining and the MDO model to optimise resources and capital expenditure as it expands its mining activities.

The development adds another layer to the growing relationship between Tata Steel and Lloyds Metals. The two companies signed a memorandum of understanding in December to explore mining opportunities in Maharashtra, with a focus on increasing iron ore production.

Their partnership also extends to steel manufacturing. Tata Steel and Lloyds Metals are exploring a greenfield steel plant in Maharashtra with a proposed capacity of 6 million tonnes a year, planned to be developed in two phases.

Manganese remains an important raw material for steelmaking, helping improve strength, hardness and toughness. Tata Steel’s latest arrangement with BRPL could therefore strengthen its approach to securing and efficiently managing key mineral resources while expanding its broader partnership with Lloyds Metals.