Austrian engineering giant Doppelmayr partners with Hindalco for India's first aerial RopeCon installation
Austrian technology and market leader in ropeway engineering group Doppelmayr has secured a major contract to develop and implement India's first RopeCon system at the Aditya Alumina Refinery in Kansariguda, Odisha. The system, which is expected to be operational by Q3 2027, represents a significant step forward in Hindalco's aim to implement sustainable technology throughout its mining and refining activities.
Pioneering technology for Indian mining
The RopeCon system, which combines the engineering of traditional ropeways with continuous conveyor technology, will span 2,300 metres with an elevation drop of 241 metres. Importantly, it will cross challenging and agricultural terrain with only four supporting towers, considerably reducing land disturbance. It will carry 1,500 tonnes of bauxite per hour and will be configured for reverse use, transporting tailings back when needed.
The RopeCon is distinguished from traditional conveyor belts or truck haulage as it has a small land footprint, “flying” the land and providing ground clearance while also generating energy savings, regenerating up to 907 kWh from its operational regeneration, which is consistent with the project’s adherence to Hindalco’s decarbonisation pathway.
Supporting Hindalco’s green commitments
Hindalco's announcement comes at a time when India's aluminium industry is facing growing scrutiny related to emissions and land usage. Hindalco signed a long-term agreement with the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) in 2023 for the supply of bauxite to its refinery, which is to be built by Larsen & Toubro under an EPC contract signed in February 2025. The refinery will have an initial capacity of 850,000 tonnes of alumina annually, and the refinery is projected to enhance India's position in the global alumina industry. Moreover, the Indian aluminium market was estimated to be worth USD 11.28 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.6 per cent from 2024 to 2030, reaching USD 19.76 billion.
The RopeCon’s design ensures reduced dust pollution and limited disruption to farmland compared to traditional haulage methods, offering both environmental and community-level benefits. Globally, RopeCon systems have been deployed in challenging terrains such as the mountains of Jamaica and Austria, making the Odisha project a first for the Indian mining landscape.
Innovation meets environmental protection
This project underlines how India’s aluminium industry is increasingly embracing innovative technologies to balance resource development with environmental safeguards. As noted in industry discussions on sustainable bauxite logistics, projects like this set important precedents
By blending advanced engineering with sustainability, the Hindalco-Doppelmayr partnership positions Odisha as a testbed for green mining technologies in India, potentially paving the way for wider adoption of aerial conveyors in other resource corridors.
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