MOIL Begins Manganese Ore Exports as India’s Designated State Trading Enterprise

MOIL Limited, India’s largest producer of manganese ore, has achieved a historic milestone by dispatching its first-ever international consignment under its new role as a State Trading Enterprise (STE). On 22nd August 2025, the company successfully shipped 54,600 tonnes of manganese ore fines from Visakhapatnam Port to Indonesia, marking the beginning of a new chapter in India’s mineral export policy.

Government Mandate and Role of MOIL

The Government of India has officially designated MOIL as the State Trading Enterprise for the export of manganese ore below 46% Mn grade. This policy framework, implemented in FY 2024–25, makes it mandatory that all exports of low-grade manganese ore be routed through MOIL. The arrangement ensures better monitoring, transparency, and effective utilization of surplus mineral resources.

Under this mechanism, MOIL acts as the nodal agency, exporting material to overseas buyers with a back-to-back arrangement with domestic suppliers, thus enabling smooth trade operations without disrupting local supply chains.

Significance of Low-Grade Ore Exports

India has a substantial surplus of low-grade manganese ore fines (25% Mn grade), which far exceeds the demand of the domestic steel and alloy industries. By opening new avenues for export, India not only prevents the accumulation of unused stock but also strengthens its position in the global manganese trade.

The export of such material adds to the country’s foreign exchange earnings, enhances resource monetization, and improves India’s mineral footprint in global markets. With demand from regions like Southeast Asia, especially Indonesia with its fast-growing ferroalloy sector, India’s manganese ore trade is set to gain renewed momentum.

Strategic Outlook and Leadership Vision

Congratulating the MOIL team on the successful dispatch, Shri Ajit Kumar Saxena, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD) of MOIL, highlighted the importance of strategic planning and operational efficiency. He emphasized that MOIL’s role as a State Trading Enterprise will require robust export strategies, customer-focused engagement, and international competitiveness to ensure long-term success.

With this achievement, MOIL is expected to expand its outreach to multiple international markets beyond Indonesia, potentially targeting steel-producing economies in East Asia and Europe. The move aligns with India’s broader trade policy objectives of boosting mineral exports while ensuring value addition domestically.

Looking Ahead

The inaugural shipment symbolizes more than just a trade consignment—it is a policy-driven step toward efficient utilization of natural resources, promotion of India’s mineral sector on the global stage, and diversification of revenue streams for MOIL.

As India strengthens its presence in the manganese trade, MOIL’s role will be pivotal in balancing domestic requirements with international opportunities, thereby contributing to both industrial growth and foreign exchange stability.