India’s largest manganese ore producer, MOIL Ltd., has reported its highest-ever manganese ore production for a third quarter, underscoring strengthening domestic demand and improved mining efficiencies.
MOIL recorded manganese ore production of 4.77 lakh tonnes in Q3 FY2025-26 (October–December 2025), marking a year-on-year growth of around 3.7%. This is the highest Q3 output in the company’s operational history, reflecting consistent gains in mine productivity and operational discipline.
Strong Nine-Month Performance
For the April–December 2025 period, MOIL’s cumulative manganese ore production reached 14.21 lakh tonnes, representing a 6.8% increase year-on-year and the best-ever nine-month performance for the miner.
The growth has been driven by:
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Higher availability of working faces across mines
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Improved equipment deployment and mechanisation
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Stable offtake from domestic ferroalloy and steel producers
Demand Signals from Steel & Alloy Sectors
Manganese ore demand has remained firm amid:
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Sustained crude steel production in India
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Stable operating rates at silico-manganese and ferro-manganese plants
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Rising domestic alloy consumption supported by infrastructure and auto demand
MOIL’s performance comes at a time when Indian steel capacity expansion and alloy demand are increasingly favouring domestic raw material sourcing, supporting higher mine utilisation rates.
Strategic Outlook
MOIL has been steadily aligning its production strategy with India’s long-term steel growth plans, targeting:
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Higher mine productivity
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Reduced dependence on imports for manganese units
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Improved cost efficiencies through mechanisation
With domestic steel capacity expected to expand further over the next few years, manganese ore demand is likely to remain structurally strong, positioning MOIL as a key beneficiary.
Metalsbuy Outlook
MOIL’s record Q3 output reinforces confidence in India’s manganese ore supply chain at a time of rising steel and alloy demand. While near-term production growth may remain incremental, sustained domestic consumption and policy support for raw material security are expected to keep volumes stable and pricing firm through FY26.