Odisha Government gives consent to Lanjigarh refinery to boost capacity to 6 million tonnes

Vedanta’s long wait comes to an end on receiving a nod from Odisha Government for its Lanjigarh refinery production capacity boost to six million tonnes. According to an official source, “Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik has given his nod to the expansion of the plant. The Vedanta has been asked to submit the plan for value addition in the state for expanded capacity."

Long ago, Vedanta Alumina had developed its Lanjigarh’s refinery capacity from one million tonne to two million tonnes by investing about INR 50,000 crore. Now it is aiming at expanding to six million tonnes and creating job opportunities for thousands of personnel.

 To follow the plan, the company will haul the required bauxite from the bauxite mine run by Odisha Mining Corporation on the Kodingamali plateau, responding to which, Steel and Mines Minister Prafulla Mallick said, “We will provide bauxite to the company from the Kodingamali bauxite mine. The bauxite mine has got the required approval including forest clearance from the Centre. We are hopeful to start the operation of the bauxite mines soon. Once it is operated, we will provide the bauxite."

Mallick further commented: "The OMC will provide the bauxite through long-term linkages. The Vedanta group has applied to procure bauxite from the OMC. Once the issue of shortage of bauxite is resolved, we are hopeful that they will not have any problem in going for expansion. "

Commenting on Mallick’s statement, Chief Communication Officer of Vedanta Alumina Ltd. said that the company is hopeful to meet all its bauxite requirements as more and more mines will be opened up by OMC and start supplying bauxite through auction.

Earlier also, Vedanta group had turned to Odisha government to find out a solution to its bauxite deprivation. Even the chief of the company Mr. Anil Agrawal had met the Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik a number of times on this issue.