BHUBANESWAR, SEPTEMBER 26: State-run National Aluminium Company (Nalco) would focus on increasing production, expansion and modernisation of plants besides diversification of products to make the Company a global player in mining, said Tapan Kumar Chand, Chairman and Managing Director of the Navratna PSU while addressing the shareholders of the company at its 34th Annnual General Meeting here on Saturday.
Referring to new projects, Chand said Nalco is now looking beyond its existing operations with a view to achieve a new level of corporate distinction.
Besides other projects, the company is pursuing to set up a 0.5 MTPA alumina refinery in Gujarat. Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the refinery has been prepared and the company is in discussion with GMDC for availability of bauxite for the project, he said.
Similarly, the company has formed a joint venture with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd, namely ‘NPCIL- Nalco Power Company Ltd’ (NNPCL) for establishment of Kakrapar Atomic Power Station (KAPS) 3&4, he added.
Nalco also plans to set up a 2.7 lakh TPA caustic soda plant along with a 100 MW captive power plant at Dahej in Gujarat at an estimated investment of Rs 1,789 crore in joint venture with Gujarat Alkalies and Chemicals, for which a JV-cum-shareholders’ agreement was signed in June this year, Chand added.
Nalco has also revived the MoU with Indian Rare Earths Limited in July, 2014 for development of a 1 lakh tpa titanium slag project at Chhatrapur in Odisha in a jv mode. Pre-feasibility Report for this is being prepared, he said.
Expressing happiness over allocation of Utkal D and E Blocks to Nalco, Chand said the company is looking forward for consent of Odisha government for allocation of Pottangi Mines in Koraput district so that Alumina Refinery Project of Rs 5,500 crore can immediately be started.
Further, Nalco in association with Odisha government is planning to set up an Aluminium Park in Angul district for downstream units.
Nalco has lined up an investment of Rs 22,000 crore on 0.5 mtpa smelter plant and 1050 Mw captive power plant in Sundargarh district. Some preliminary clearances have been obtained and Nalco has applied for single window clearance from Odisha government, the CMD said.
The company also plans to set up of fith stream of 1mtpa capacity in existing Alumina Refinery at Damanjodi at an estimated investment of Rs 5,540 crore. The project is envisaged with medium pressure digestion technology. Sourcing of the Bauxite is planned from Pottangi Mines, for which matter is being pursued with Odisha government, he said.
However, while awaiting clearance for the same, pre-project activities have been started considering sourcing of Bauxite from existing Panchpatmali deposits,
Nalco is exploring the opportunity to set up a greenfield aluminium smelter in a country where energy would be available at a competitive price. Based on a study carried out by consultants two countries have been identified to pursue further, Chand said.
