Hindalco’s 8.5Mt Baphlimali mine secures India’s first ASI certification

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Hindalco Industries’ Baphlimali bauxite mine in Odisha has become the first bauxite mining operation in India to secure certification under the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative’s (ASI) Performance Standard V3.1 (2023). 

The certification was awarded to Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), a Hindalco subsidiary that operates the mine in Rayagada district. It covers the planning, mining, processing, onsite crushing and conveyor transportation of bauxite from the Baphlimali operation. 

The mine has an annual production capacity of 8.5 million tonnes and supplies bauxite to Utkal Alumina’s refinery operations. Baphlimali is therefore a key link between Hindalco’s upstream mining activities and its alumina production. 

Utkal Alumina produces approximately 2.67 million tonnes of alumina annually. The certification also takes Hindalco’s portfolio of ASI-certified operations to 11, covering activities across mining, smelting and downstream manufacturing. 

Certification strengthens supply-chain traceability 

ASI’s Performance Standard evaluates environmental, social and governance performance across the aluminium value chain. Its assessment areas include biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, community engagement, human rights, occupational health and safety and responsible business practices. 

For Hindalco, certification at Baphlimali extends responsible-production standards to the beginning of its integrated aluminium value chain. It also responds to growing demand from customers for greater transparency regarding the origin and production conditions of the materials used in their supply chains. 

Kailash Pandey, CEO of Aluminium Upstream at Hindalco Industries, stated, “Baphlimali is a strategically important asset for Hindalco and a critical link in our integrated aluminium value chain.” Therefore, the ASI certification of Baphlimali “underscores our commitment to sustainability, transparency and responsible sourcing across every stage of production.” 

He elaborated, “As we extend certification across our upstream operations, we are building an increasingly integrated and globally recognised responsible aluminium value chain — from mine to metal.” 

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The company’s other certified operations are located at Mouda, Hirakud FRP, Taloja, Kuppam, Alupuram, Belur, Renukoot, Belagavi, Hirakud and Aditya. 

Independent audit covers mine operations

The certification does not mean that bauxite mining has no environmental or social impact. Instead, it indicates that the activities within the certified scope were assessed against ASI’s requirements and met the relevant standard. 

The independent third-party certification audit was conducted by CETIZION Verifica under ASI’s Witness Assessment process. Members of the ASI Secretariat observed the audit as part of the organisation’s quality-assurance framework. 

Dr Fiona Solomon, CEO of ASI, said, “The certification of the Baphlimali Bauxite Mines reflects the continued engagement of Utkal Alumina and the wider Hindalco Group with ASI’s sustainability standards. 

He also added, “The growing number of Hindalco operations participating in ASI certification across different stages of the aluminium value chain demonstrates a commitment to implementing recognised environmental, social and governance practices and advancing responsible production across the sector. Such efforts play an important role in strengthening transparency, traceability and stakeholder confidence throughout the aluminium value chain.” 

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Importance for alumina production

Baphlimali’s importance extends beyond its certification status. As the primary bauxite source for Utkal Alumina’s refinery, the mine supports a large-scale alumina operation within Hindalco’s integrated production network.

The mine-to-refinery connection gives the certification relevance for the wider aluminium supply chain. It enables Hindalco to demonstrate that responsible sourcing and sustainability assessments are being applied not only at smelters and downstream manufacturing plants but also at the mining stage, where the aluminium production process begins.

The achievement adds an independently audited bauxite operation to Hindalco’s growing ASI-certified portfolio. Its long-term significance will depend on how the company maintains the required standards, reports relevant performance and applies responsible-production practices across the rest of its integrated aluminium operations.

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