UPDATE: Nalco commences processing of its new bauxite deposit in Odisha

National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco) commenced the process of opening a new bauxite deposit in the south block of Panchpatmali in Odisha.

According to a senior government official, the new deposit will allow the company to maintain its bauxite production at 6.825-million tons that reached in 2016-2017 financial year. The new bauxite deposit is crucial for company’s alumina, aluminium capacity expansion plans.

Pottangi bauxite reserves had been reserved for allocation in 2015. The allotment had been delayed due to bureaucratic hurdles. 

However, the company has planned to install its fifth potline at its smelter in Angul, Odisha. This potline would add aluminium capacity of 0.6-million tons per annum. The project is slated to be completed   in the next three years.

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The company expects to increase its alumina refinery capacity to provide the expanded capacity to its smelters and to merchant export the additional alumina in global markets. Nalco will get the raw materials security from the new mine in the short term. The company intends to use bauxite reserves at Pottangi in the long term.