India achieved a milestone in manganese (Mn) ore exports with MOIL dispatching its first shipment of 54,600 tons of ore fines from Visakhapatnam to Indonesia. The shipment, sent on 22 August 2025, marks the first export under MOIL’s role as a State Trading Enterprise (STE) for Mn ore below 46% grade, as appointed by the Indian government.

Under the Trade Policy for the fiscal year of 2024-25, all exports of manganese ore from India must be routed through MOIL. The Steel Ministry confirmed that the company exports material to foreign buyers via a back-to-back arrangement with domestic suppliers.

The export of low-grade Mn ore (25% Mn) is significant because India has a surplus of such fines beyond domestic demand. This initiative is expected to strengthen India’s global presence in the manganese ore trade and enhance foreign earnings.