Quality That Travels - From Mine to Vessel

Sourcing and Daily Procurement

Our quality process begins at the mine. Each day, our sourcing teams operate in government-approved mining belts across Goa and adjoining states, where ROM (Run-of-Mine) iron ore is identified, checked, and lifted only after meeting initial grade parameters. Quality assurance starts here — with on-ground field testing to evaluate Fe content, moisture, and impurities such as silica, alumina, and phosphorus.

We work with licensed mining leaseholders and ensure that all procurement adheres to environmental clearances and royalty documentation. Once the ROM is verified and weighed, it is transported under covered conditions to our crushing and screening yards — which are strategically located near port infrastructure.

This blending process is one of our most critical quality steps. Each batch is thoroughly mixed and sampled every 100 metric tons to ensure a consistent chemical composition. This helps us maintain not just the Fe range, but also regulate other specifications such as silica (<6%), alumina (<3%), and moisture (<8%). Quality teams collect and label samples systematically — these are logged, stored, and prepared for third-party analysis.

On arrival at our yard, ROM ore undergoes mechanized crushing to bring the material down to the required size categories — fines (<10 mm) and lumps (10–40 mm). To maintain uniformity, we use multiple stage screeners that separate the ore accurately by size and eliminate oversize or undersize rejects. After screening, the material is blended to match export-grade Fe specifications — typically 58%, 60%, or 63.5%.

Crushing, Screening, and Blending

Third-Party Testing and Certification

WAO Steels partners with reputed, government-approved labs such as MSK Mitra SK Pvt Ltd, SGS, and Intertek to independently verify ore quality. Every export batch is tested for:

• Fe (Iron) %

• SiO₂ (Silica)

• Al₂O₃ (Alumina)

• P (Phosphorus)

• LOI (Loss on Ignition)

• Moisture content

• Size consistency (for lumps and fines)

These inspection reports serve as the backbone of our quality claim. The MSK certificate is added to every client document folder, alongside internal yard QC logs and port-handling notes. A sample inspection image or MSK certificate can be viewed below to understand the transparency we uphold. We also offer pre-shipment sampling and physical testing on request, allowing clients to independently verify the stock before vessel loading begins.

Jetty Operations – Loading and Stuffing

Once blending and testing are complete, ore is loaded into tippers and barges depending on the mode of dispatch. If the cargo is being loaded via jetty, our team conducts a pre-loading moisture check, followed by material conditioning to control dust.

Stuffing begins at the jetty or river port, typically near Reddi Port, where we ensure:

• Cargo is loaded under supervisor observation

• Quantity is cross-checked via calibrated weighbridge

• Each barge or container is marked by batch code for traceability

Every container or barge receives a stuffing certificate, along with photos, to prove material integrity. During this phase, our team remains in constant communication with clients and CHA agents, providing visual updates if requested.

Final Loading and Vessel Dispatch

At the port, the cargo is shifted via barge or conveyor to the vessel berth. Shiploaders or mobile cranes are used depending on port equipment. Each vessel's hold is filled systematically, based on stowage plan and product type (fines, lumps, or pellets).

Here, the final draft survey, moisture testing, and onboard sampling are carried out. The results are shared with the buyer, and port documents including:

• Bill of Lading (B/L)

• Certificate of Origin (COO)

• MSK/CISSLab Report

• Packing List & Commercial Invoice
  are prepared, reviewed, and sent in soft or hard copies per LC requirements.

We understand that quality doesn’t end with the product — it includes clean, audit-ready paperwork. WAO Steels provides:

• Consistent invoice alignment with LC clauses

• Proper HS code declarations

• Country-specific compliance formats

• Buyer-coordinated document submission for bank processing.

  We support payments via

• 100% Irrevocable LC at Sight

• 30% Advance & 70% Against Scan Copy

All documents are backed by lab reports and pre-stuffing photos, assuring buyers of material authenticity.

Documentation and Payment Support

Our yards are managed with daily SOPs (Standard Operating Procedures) to maintain hygiene, stacking discipline, and safety:

• Ore is stacked on concrete platforms to avoid contamination

• Daily logbooks record stock movement, QC status, and moisture reports

• Spray systems are used to minimize dust during handling

• Entry/exit logs, CCTV, and physical inspection reports are maintained for each truck and barge

These practices are vital in sustaining repeat quality across all shipments and earning buyer trust.

Documentation and Payment Support

WAO Steels is not just in the business of selling iron ore. We're in the business of delivering confidence, and quality is the foundation of that promise. Whether it’s the first 100 MTs or a 50,000 MT vessel, we treat every shipment as a reflection of our name. We don’t cut corners. We don’t dilute grades. And we never send a shipment without knowing it meets our own internal benchmarks.

Our Quality Promise – Built to Last

From the mine to the vessel, quality at WAO Steels is not a one-time checkbox — it’s a system we’ve built, refined, and proven over time. With trusted third-party certifications, disciplined operations, and a transparent work ethic, we ensure that every metric ton we export holds up to the standards of our name.