Vedanta Resources has announced the successful commissioning of its Chanderiya greenfield lead smelter project in Chittorgarh district of Rajasthan. Implemented by Hindustan Zinc, the 50,000 tpa smelter project was launched in early 2004.

The commissioning of the smelter has taken HZL's total lead smelting capacity to 85,000 tpa. Lead concentrates would be sourced from the company's captive Rampura-Agucha mines in Rajasthan. The smelter will operate at full capacity by June 2006.

The technology adopted for the smelter was provided by Ausmelt of Australia. Mecon was responsible for detailed engineering and project management consultancy.

HZL is India's only primary lead producer and had a capacity of 35,000 tpa from its lone smelter at Chanderiya. The new smelter has taken HZL's total lead capacity to 85,000 tpa. It may be mentioned that HZL de-commissioned its 8,000 tpa Tundoo lead smelter in Jharkhand during 2004.