Milestones Achieved

MILESTONES ACHIEVED

NMDC,  jos nigeria  was established in 1973 as the Testing Laboratory of the defunct Nigerian Steel Development Authority (NSDA) to specifically handle the analysis of raw materials for the then proposed steel plants.

MAJOR ACHIEVEMENTS OF NMDC

• Iron Ore: The Centre has successfully perfected the process of beneficiation of the Itakpe iron ore into super-concentrates (which hitherto was thought impossible) which met the required specification of the direct reduction steel plant at Delta Steel Company, Aladja, Warri. This development means an import substitution thus, conserving huge foreign exchange.
• Coal and Coke: Nigeria is endowed with vast deposits of coal but these are poorly coking and as a result cannot be used 100% on its own for production of metallurgical coke, a very vital ingredient for steel production via the blast furnace process. This problem informed the Centre’s studies on Nigerian coals to increase their utilization in any blends for metallurgical coke production for Ajaokuta Steel Plant. The Centre’s laboratory coal blending carbonization studies which indicate that a certain percentage of Nigerian coal can be utilized in the blends for metallurgical coke production necessitated the construction of a Coke oven Pilot Plant here in NMDC, Jos for testing these results at industrial scale. In the recent past, the Centre analysed coals imported for Ajaokuta Steel Project and obtained results similar to that of Deutsche Montane Technologie (DMT), of Germany. The results informed the then Federal Government discontinuation of further importation of low quality coals.
• Refractories: The Centre has a data bank on local refractory material deposits suitable for bricks production. Laboratory test samples of fireclay and magnesite (particularly Tsakasimta magnesite) refractory bricks for use in the temperature range up to 17000Chave been produced. These results are being used to scale up operations to pilot plant level, leading to production of prototype refractory bricks.
• Wire Drawing Lubricant: The Centre developed a lubricant for wire drawing from local raw materials. This product has been found to perform the same function as imported analogues.
• Enamel frits: The Centre recently had a break-through in the production on laboratory scale of enamel frits from 100% raw materials for use by enamelling plants. Successful laboratory tests have been completed and industrial test run is currently going on. A number of users have shown interest in the product.
• Foundry Sands: The Centre carried out detailed characterization and documentation of the foundry moulding sands available in the country. Lining mixture was also developed from 100% local raw materials for use in the rotary furnace.
• Iron Making: The Centre produced sinter from indigenous iron ores using a sinter grating machine designed and fabricated at the Centre. This has made it possible for the stable sintering condition of the Itakpe iron ore concentrate to be established.
• Offer of Technical Solution: The Centre offered technical solution to the generation of fines which resulted from transportation of iron ore pellets by rail from Itakpe to DSC, Aladja, Warri. Apart from lowering the quality of pellets on delivery to DSC, the fines could pose serious danger causing explosion during operations.
• Production of Tin Metal: The Centre designed, installed and commissioned a Pilot Scale Tin Smelting and Refining Reverberatory Furnace enabling the production at NMDC of tin ingots of about 99.5% purity.
• Special Recognition: The Centre was recently identified as having the best facilities in the country to serve as a Research and Analysis Centre for the Solid Minerals and Steel Development Ministry.