Bhubaneswar: The national mining hierarchy is witnessing a significant shift as the 2025-26 fiscal year enters its final quarter. While the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC), was once reigning at top slot, is currently on track to break its own internal production records, it has officially moved to the third position in national iron ore volume rankings. This change reflects the rapid rise of private captive mining and the sustained dominance of central public sector enterprises.
At the top of the national ladder, NMDC Limited remains the undisputed leader. The Navratna PSU recently reported its highest-ever January production in 2026, maintaining an annual production rate of approximately 45 to 50 million tonnes. With a growth rate of nearly 20 percent in the first nine months of the current fiscal, NMDC continues to set the pace for the Indian mining industry.
The second spot is now held by the private sector giant JSW Steel. Following the aggressive acquisition and operationalization of mines during the 2020 auctions, JSW has ramped up its captive mining operations to produce roughly 35 to 37 million tonnes. This strategic shift has reduced the company’s reliance on merchant miners and established it as the largest private iron ore producer in the country.
OMC now occupies the third position with a projected annual output of 30 to 35 million tonnes. Despite falling in the relative national ranking, OMC’s internal performance remains exceptionally strong. As of December 31, 2025, the corporation recorded 24.88 million tonnes of iron ore production, marking a 31.5 percent growth in its third-quarter performance.
Industry analysts note that OMC’s position as the third-largest producer is a result of a changing market landscape rather than a decline in its own efficiency. While NMDC and JSW lead in iron ore volume, OMC remains the national leader in other critical minerals, holding a near-monopoly on chromite production and maintaining a debt-free status with a turnover exceeding 23,000 crore rupees.
As the 2025-26 cycle concludes, the competition between these three giants is expected to stabilize the domestic supply chain, ensuring raw material security for India’s expanding steel sector.