India: Vedanta Iron and Steel's iron ore output rises 4% y-o-y in Q1FY'27

• Goa production surges 166% y-o-y on mining ramp-up
  
  
• Odisha operations reported separately post VISL demerger
  
  

Vedanta Iron and Steel Ltd (VISL) reported a modest rise in overall saleable iron ore production in Q1FY'27, supported by a sharp increase in output from Goa operations and improved operational efficiencies in Odisha.

The company's saleable iron ore production stood at 2.6 million tonnes (mnt) during Q1FY'27, up 4% year-on-year (y-o-y) compared with 2.5 mnt in Q1FY'26. However, production declined 3% quarter-on-quarter (q-o-q) against 2.7 mnt in Q4FY26.

Note: This is also the first quarterly operational disclosure after Vedanta Iron and Steel Ltd was demerged from Vedanta Ltd during Q1FY'27. Following the restructuring, Odisha iron ore operations are now being reported separately for like-for-like comparison of the companys operational performance.

Goa operations drive growth

Production from Iron Ore Goa (IOG) rose sharply to 0.6 mnt in Q1FY'27, registering a 166% increase y-o-y from 0.2 mnt in the corresponding quarter last year. However, on a sequential basis, output fell 29% from 0.9 mnt recorded in Q4FY'26.

The company attributed the strong annual growth to the ramp-up of mining operations and higher processing capacity at Goa mines.

Karnataka output declines

Iron ore production from Karnataka stood at 0.9 mnt in Q1FY'27, down 46% y-o-y compared with 1.6 mnt in Q1FY'26. Output also declined 28% q-o-q from 1.2 mnt in Q4FY'26.

According to the company, production during the quarter remained aligned with mine planning to support better volumes in subsequent quarters.

VISL also separately disclosed Karnataka BHQ material production of 0.5 mnt during the quarter. The material remains included within Karnataka's total production and is expected to be processed once the beneficiation plant is commissioned.

Odisha production strengthens

Odisha iron ore production was reported at 1.2 mnt in Q1FY'27, rising 59% y-o-y from 0.7 mnt in Q1FY'26. On a q-o-q basis, production surged 78% against 0.7 mnt in Q4FY'26.

The company stated that the strong growth in Odisha was driven by improved operational efficiency and stable mining activity.

Pig iron and steel output improve

VISL's steel saleable production increased 4% y-o-y and 2% q-o-q to 582,000 t in Q1FY'27. Hot metal production stood at 601,000 t, up 3% y-o-y and 2% q-o-q.

Pig iron production touched a record quarterly high of 291,000 t during the quarter, rising 8% y-o-y and 5% q-o-q.

The Goa pig iron plant also recorded its highest-ever quarterly production at 238,000 t, up 12% y-o-y and 11% q-o-q, supported by improved plant utilisation and operational enhancements.