4 August 2020 volumes increased 7% YoY to 2.57mt on improving demand from steel plants as domestic demand improves. This, coupled with higher international iron ore prices, has enabled NMDC to raise prices this month by INR200/t (~9%) to INR2,360/2,650 per ton for fines/lumps. We believe NMDCs iron ore prices should sustain in 2HFY21 due to rising steel prices (up ~INR2,000/t MoM), higher pellet prices (up 20% MoM to INR7,200/t), and reduced iron ore supply from Odisha mines. Volume growth of 7% YoY reported by NMDC (to 2.57mt) in July20 has surprised and is three months ahead of our expectation of positive volume print in 2HFY21. While iron ore production from several auctioned mines in Odisha has commenced in the current quarter, we believe production from these mines would be lower by >30% YoY in FY21, supporting NMDCs volumes in the near term.