Dhaubadi Iron Company seeks approval to extract 96 million tonnes of iron ore

KATHMANDU: Dhaubadi Iron Company has submitted a plan to the Department of Mines and Geology to extract 96 million tonnes of iron ore from a concession in Hupsekot Rural Municipality-5, Dhaubadi, Nawalpur district.

The proposed mining area covers about 41 square kilometres and is divided into two blocks: the Dhaubadi Pokhari block, covering 25 square kilometres, and the Durlung block, covering 16 square kilometres. The company said further exploration and mining activities will proceed once the plan receives official approval.

Dhaubadi Iron Company, established in 2076 BS as an undertaking of the Government of Nepal to produce iron commercially, has completed 1,500 metres of drilling at 12 locations to test underground ore samples, Company Director Shailesh Kumar Thapa said. Environmental impact assessment work is underway, and preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will begin soon.

Thapa said the mine’s output is expected to meet about 25% of the country’s iron import demand once production starts. He added that mining operations would create substantial employment and contribute to the national economy.

Necessary infrastructure improvements and road upgrades to access the site are already in progress.