Mechanized open-cast iron ore mine with high-grade deposits

John Iron Ore Mine

ActiveMegalahalli, Tanigehalli & Chowdenahalli villages, Chitradurga District, Karnataka

Located in Chitradurga District, Karnataka, the John Iron Ore Mine is a benchmark in responsible and efficient mining operations. The mine is certified under ISO 9001:2015, ISO 14001:2015, ISO 45001:2018 and SA 8000:2014 standards, reflecting its strong commitment to quality, environmental stewardship, occupational health & safety, and social accountability.

With a production capacity of 1.8 MMTPA, the mine operates through an opencast mining method using a shovel–dumper combination. It produces high-quality iron ore lumps suitable for blast furnaces and DRI kilns, along with fines ideal for pellet manufacturing. A public railway siding ensures efficient logistics and seamless connectivity for customers. The mine actively implements air, water and noise pollution control measures, and has received multiple awards for excellence in environmental protection, mine safety and social responsibility.

Recognized for its adherence to sustainable mining practices, the Indian Bureau of Mines, Ministry of Mines, Government of India, has consistently awarded the mine the prestigious “Five Star Mine” rating under the Sustainable Development Framework since 2016-17 — reinforcing its position as a leader in sustainable mining.

Certifications

ISO 9001:2015
ISO 14001:2015
ISO 45001:2018
SA 8000:2014

What sets it apart

Operating highlights

Five Star Mine since 2016-17

Awarded the IBM's 5-Star rating under the Sustainable Development Framework every year since 2016-17 — eight consecutive years.

Low-Impact Mining

Mining operations increasingly rely on ripper dozers in place of conventional drilling and blasting, helping minimise ground vibration, airborne dust and noise.

Scientific mine planning

Exploration on a 50 m grid with NABL-accredited sample analysis, and mine planning and design on SURPAC software.

Rail-linked logistics

A public railway siding moves ore by rail, cutting road traffic, dust and emissions in surrounding communities.

Modern, safe fleet

Latest HEMM with A.C. cabins, automatic fire protection, AFDS and safety gadgets — including EV dumpers inducted into the fleet.

Green belt & rehabilitation

Plantations of native species within and outside the lease, an on-site nursery raising 50,000 saplings a year, and a fenced, afforested safety zone.

Best practices

Scientific, Eco-friendly, Sustainable & Responsible by design

Fully explored, mine planning, design and operations through SURPAC software, with priority for Occupational Safety & Health.

Scientific Operations

Waste dumping at designated places with proper terracing
Bench gradients and berms of sufficient height maintained
Haul roads maintained with sufficient width, gradient and berms
Ramps maintained at gradients less than 1 in 16
Drilling and blasting minimised and substituted with ripper dozers to avoid ground vibration, airborne dust and noise
Latest HEMM with A.C. cabins, automatic fire protection systems, safety gadgets and AFDS
Slope stability studies of mine benches and waste dumps by a reputed academic institute
Prisms installed at waste dumps for close monitoring of dump stability

Mine Environment

Fixed high-pressure water sprinklers on main transportation and haul roads
G.I. hood covering of the static mineral processing plant
Dry fog dust suppression at all transfer points, hoppers, bunkers and discharge points
Water conservation techniques and rainwater harvesting
Dust suppression at mine benches with tanker-mounted hydraulic sprinkling systems
Truck-mounted dry fog systems to mitigate airborne dust in the mine and stockyard
Green belt development along the safety zone on the lease periphery
Regular in-house monitoring of air, water and noise
Wheel washing for transport vehicles before entering public roads
Road sweeping machine deployed on the transportation road
EV dumpers inducted into the fleet with added safety gadgets

Rehabilitation & Reclamation

Check dams constructed to arrest soil erosion outside the mine
Gulley checks constructed for soil moisture conservation
Retaining walls at the toe of waste dump terraces
Garland drains along retaining walls at the dump toe
Vertical drains on dump slopes to channelise storm water
Settling ponds to arrest silt from storm water
Plantations and afforestation of native species within and outside the lease
Safety zone on the western side maintained with fencing and afforestation

Reports

Sustainability Reporting

Annual Sustainability Reports of the mine.

Sustainability Report FY 2025-26
2026
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Sustainability Report FY 2024-25
2025
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Sustainability Report 2023-24
2024
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Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Data 2025-26
2026
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SA 8000:2014 Certificate
2026
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