National Aluminium Co. (Nalco) is planning to set up its second integrated aluminium complex in Orissa at an investment of Rs.15,000 crore.

The complex will comprise a 1.5 million tpa alumina refinery, a 2.5-3 lakh tpa aluminium smelter and a captive power plant. The project is awaiting for government approval before it can prepare the detailed feasibility report.

Nalco has moved the Orissa government for allotment of bauxite deposit in the Gandhamardan hills in Sambalpur district. These mines are estimated to have 220 million tpa bauxite reserve.

Apart from Gandhamardan project, Nalco has also lined up other investment proposals, both in India and abroad. It is planning to set up an integrated alumina refinery and an aluminium smelter in Andhra Pradesh. But the project is in a nascent stage because of the Andhra Pradesh government policy which stipulated that no mining lease can be granted to any company and the user instead has to buy minerals from the state-owned Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation (APMDC), the sole developers of mines in the state.

Nalco is also planning to set up a smelter in joint venture abroad. It has identified three Gulf states, Oman, Abu Dhabi and Qatar, for the purpose and has conducted feasibility studies through Engineers India (EIL). The company is also exploring the possibilities of setting up a coal-based power plant and a smelting facility in Indonesia.

Also See:

Nalco to submit proposal for overseas project (06-Apr-06)