ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India (AM/NS India) and the Indian Council of Agricultural Research – Indian Agricultural Research Institute (ICAR-IARI) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to undertake advanced research on the sustainable utilisation of iron ore tailings (IOTs) in agricultural applications, marking a significant step towards circular economy and resource conservation in India.The MoU was formally signed and exchanged by Vishwanathan N, Head - Research and Development, AM/NS India, and C Viswanathan, Joint Director (Research), ICAR-IARI, in the presence of Bhupinder Singh, Principal Scientist and Principal Investigator, ICAR-IARI, and other senior officials from both institutions.A media statement said the collaboration builds on encouraging preliminary studies initiated in 2024 between AM/NS India and ICAR-IARI to explore the suitability of IOTs in agriculture. The IOTs, generated during the beneficiation of iron ore, were found to contain naturally occurring minerals such as silica, iron oxides, alumina, calcium and magnesium and other micro and beneficial nutrients, which can be leveraged for crop production and for sustaining soil health.Promising initial resultsInitial laboratory and field studies conducted at ICAR-IARI, New Delhi, and near AM/NS India’s beneficiation facility in Kirandul, Chhattisgarh, demonstrated promising results. The research indicated potential for utilising IOTs as sources of essential and beneficial mineral nutrients for crops, including paddy, wheat and vegetables.The present MoU focuses on long-term scientific studies to be conducted at IARI, New Delhi, and at AM/NS India, Kirandul, over multiple seasons to evaluate crop response, nutrient availability, phyto-toxicity, leaching characteristics and overall environmental impact. The research aims to establish robust scientific evidence that could enable and ensure the safe and beneficial utilisation of IOTs in agriculture. This will help in reducing the need for long-term storage of this mining byproduct, the statement said.The research collaboration is aimed at unlocking a sustainable solution for one of the mining sector’s key byproducts while contributing to agricultural productivity and environmental stewardship.Quoting Hiroo Ishibashi, Director and Vice President (Technology), AM/NS India, the statement said: “At AM/NS India, sustainability and innovation go hand in hand. This collaboration with ICAR-IARI represents a pioneering effort to unlock the potential of iron ore tailings through science-led research. If successful, this initiative can create a win-win outcome by reducing environmental footprints associated with byproduct storage while supporting sustainable agriculture and resource conservation. It reflects our commitment to advancing circular economy solutions that benefit both industry and society.”Bhupinder Singh, Principal Investigator of the project, said: “The scientific evaluation of industrial byproducts for their nutritional profile is a pre-requisite to develop their beneficial applications. In fact, waste valorisation is an important area of research for sustainable agriculture and environment. Our preliminary studies have shown encouraging indications regarding the potential use of iron ore tailings in agricultural systems. Through this long-term collaborative programme with AM/NS India, we aim to generate comprehensive scientific data on agronomic performance, environmental safety and nutrient dynamics, which can help develop evidence-based pathways for responsible utilisation of iron ore tailings particularly for quenching the ‘Fe’ deficiency of poor degraded soils and for improving the ‘Fe’ concentration of the farm produce to support the biofortification effort.”Published on September 3, 2026