Nalco plans INR 5,500 crore expansion at its Damanjodi alumina refinery

Armed with two coal blocks the National Aluminium Company (Nalco) is planning to go for third phase expansion of its refinery at Damanjodi with an investment of nearly INR 5,500 crore. The Navratna PSU is waiting for the state government's consent for allocation of Pottangi mines, company CMD T K Chand said it in Bhubaneswar on Saturday.

"While we have got the much-awaited and much-needed allocation of Utkal D and E Blocks, we are looking forward for consent of state government for allocation of Pottangi Mines in Koraput district so that alumina refinery project of INR 5,500 crore can immediately start," Chand said on the sidelines of the 34th annual general meeting.

"Pre-project activities for the one mtpa capacity expansion work have started considering sourcing of bauxite from the existing Panchpatmali deposits," he said.

The CMD while outlining Nalco's target to become a global player in mining, metal and energy sectors through increased production, expansion and modernisation, also hinted at the company preparing a blue print for diversifying its operation to achieve a 'new level of corporate distinction'. These include five lakh tpa alumina refinery in Gujarat, nuclear power plant in joint venture with Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL), a 2.7 lakh tpa caustic soda plant in Gujarat, 1 lakh tpa titanium slag project at Chhatrapur in Ganjam district, a smelter and power complex at a cost of INR 22,000 crore at Sundargarh, beside the aluminium park at Angul, he said.

Nalco in order to harness renewable energy sources has also commissioned two wind power plants in Gandikota of Andhra Pradesh and Jaisalmer, Rajasthan. Steps are underway to set up three other projects with an investment of INR 882 crore, including a 14 MW wind power unit at a cost of INR 82 crore in Koraput district.