AM/NS India partners with ICAR-IARI to explore iron ore tailings in agriculture

AM/NS India has entered into a partnership with ICAR-IARI to conduct comprehensive research on the potential use of iron ore tailings as a soil amendment and nutrient source in agricultural production. The collaboration seeks to evaluate the efficacy of mining byproducts in cultivation of staple crops including paddy and wheat, as well as high-value vegetable crops.

Iron ore tailings, a residual material generated during the ore extraction and processing stages, contain significant quantities of silica, iron oxides and other micronutrients that may benefit soil health and crop productivity. The joint research programme will systematically study how these materials can be incorporated into farming practices while maintaining soil quality and yield standards.

The initiative represents an effort to identify sustainable applications for mining byproducts, potentially creating a circular economy approach within the agricultural and mining sectors. By repurposing materials typically classified as waste, the partnership aims to explore alternatives that could reduce disposal challenges while providing supplementary nutrients to cultivated soils.

The research will focus on developing protocols for safe and effective application of iron ore tailings across different crop types and soil conditions prevalent in Indian farming regions. Results from the study could inform agricultural practices and contribute to more efficient resource utilization across India's mining and farming communities.