Australian High Commissioner to India Barry O'Farrell AO recently led a delegation and visited the Government of India-owned National Mineral Development Corporation (NMDC) to meet with the mining sector behemoth's chairman and managing director Sumit Deb, reports Hindu Businessline.

The Australian delegation included Sarah Kirlew, Australia's Consul General (South India), and Percy Bell, Australia's Minister-Counsellor (Economic) among others. The delegation took over discussions on how Australia could be of NMDC’s interest in critical and strategic mining activities. The delegation and NMDC also engaged and dwelled upon mutual cooperation and investment opportunities in mining in Australia.

Following the meeting, Deb shared that NMDC is always looking to expand horizons and utilise the expertise achieved over the years. He also added that O'Farrell apprised the NMDC about different opportunities available in Australia and that the two sides had a constructive discussion on the prospects of a joint collaboration.

It should be noted that NMDC, the nation's largest iron ore producer, is already present in Australia through its subsidiary, Legacy Iron Ore Ltd and is undertaking exploration activities for gold projects.

A mineral-rich nation, Australia is one of the leading producers of bauxite, iron ore, lithium, gold, lead, diamond, rare earth elements, uranium, and zinc globally. It is also an established producer of large quantities of coal, manganese, antimony, nickel, silver, cobalt, copper and tin. It also has large mineral sand deposits of ilmenite, zircon and rutile.