IBAAS outlines the outcome of 2016 Goa Symposium for the India Ministry of Mines

IBAAS 2016, the fifth annual conference of the International Bauxite Alumina & Aluminium Society, was organized jointly with the Indian Institute of Metals, during September 26- 28, 2016, at Goa, India. The topic for the symposium was ’Aluminium Industry - The Evolving Asia-Pacific story’. The conference was inaugurated by Mr. Balvinder Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Government of India. The conference was also graced by Guests of Honor Dr. T K Chand, CMD, NALCO and Dr I. Manna, President of The Indian Institute of Metals (IIM) and Director IIT Kanpur.

Other important dignitaries from India included Mr. Abhijit Pati, CEO, Vedanta, Dr. Biswajit Basu, Deputy Head Aditya Birla Science & Technology Co. Pvt. Ltd. (the research & technology arm of Aditya Birla) & Vice President, IIM (Non-Ferrous). Among the foreign participants, leading alumina & aluminium experts such as Mr. Rene Von Kaenel of KAN-NAK, Switzerland, Mr. Benoit Feve, Rio Tinto ALCAN, Professor Halvor Kvande, Emeritus Professor-NTNU, Norway, Mr. Richard Flook, Australia, Ms. Alison Saxby, Roskil, UK, Ms. Samantha Wietlisbach, Switzerland and Mr. Xavier Bapst, Alteo Alumina Co., Japan were present.

As many as 77 technical papers were presented in the conference during two and half days of deliberations covering wide range of subjects from Bauxite Mining to Aluminium Downstream products. The presentations were grouped into Bauxite-Alumina, Non Metallurgical Bauxite & Alumina (Specials), Bauxite Residue, Aluminium smelter design and Spent Pot Lining, Sustainability and Environmental Issues, Secondary and Downstream manufacturing etc. The outcome of the conference for the due consideration of the Ministry is given in brief here:



Majority of the delegates felt that Growth of Aluminium Industry in India has potential to provide a significant impetus for the success of “Make in India” campaign of Government of India. Aluminium consumption in India is likely to be in the order of 5 to 6 million tons per annum by 2020-22 for which atleast 12 to 15 million tons Alumina would also be required to be produced. The cost-effective self-sufficiency in the metal can be achieved against the present import of as much as 60% for the demand prevailing in the country.

Aluminium is a green metal and “Metal of Future” as the same can be recycled infinite times without degradation or significant loss.

Aluminium Industry is a “Gold Mine” for the development of the Country, especially the Eastern States and requires tapping appropriately and fast for its benefits to accrue. The Ministry is to appoint a high-level committee consisting of members from both State and Centre to enable a targeted growth and solve problems being faced by the industry on a war footing and also identify ways and means to protect new entrepreneurs not only in the primary sector but also in the secondary and down-stream area.

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Reduction of Energy consumption in Indian Aluminium Smelter is critical for sustainability of industry.

IBAAS should be associated with CPCB and the Alumina Producers in developing the norms for the Red Mud storage and utilization.

IBAAS can work along with Aluminium Association of India (AAI), Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) & Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) in preparing the ‘Technology Roadmap’ for the Industry keeping Sustainable growth as objective. JNARDDC may have an active role as a nodal agency for this purpose.

The Primary Aluminium Industry must target to spend at least 1% of their earnings towards Research & Technology Development purpose, in a phased manner, initially to absorb, internalize and improve the licensed/available technology; and later to develop indigenously technologies so that the Country can have its own technology by 2025.

Building up competency for non-ferrous metal processing is an important aspect.

The main hindrance in expansion of Alumina refining capacity is non-availability / non-development of new Bauxite mines except that of captive mine of Utkal Alumina. 

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