Following is an excerpt from a report in Statesman.

National aluminium company limited (Nalco), which was recently conferred with the prestigious Navratna status, has drawn ambitious growth plans involving massive investment of around Rs 40,000 crore in next five years.

… Sources said the second phase expansion is under implementation at an investment of Rs 4092 crore, which is scheduled to be completed by 2008 end. Even the plans are afoot for the third phase of expansion, which is likely to entail expenditure to the tune of Rs 6000 crore. Under this expansion,

  • the bauxite mining capacity shall be enhanced to around 90 lakh tons,
  • alumina refining to 30 lakh tons,
  • aluminium smelting to 6.3 lakh tons and
  • power generation to 1,700 MW per annum, sources said.

Among the green field projects,

  • a mines and refinery complex is being planned in Andhra Pradesh. The project will involve an investment of Rs 7000 crore.
  • Similarly, in Orissa, a smelter and power complex has been planned in Ib valley in Jharsuguda district at an investment of Rs 8,500 crore. This project envisages a smelter of five lakh tons capacity and a coal-based power plant of 1260 MW capacity. Pre-feasibility report has been finalised by EIL. Nalco has submitted an application for allotment of water resources to state government last month.

The new projects abroad included

  • the proposed five-lakh ton smelter and a 1250 mw captive power plant in Indonesia.
  • Besides, Nalco is exploring the possibilities of setting up a smelter and power plant in South Africa at an investment of around Rs 16,000 crore.

Also the company plans to set up

  • an aluminium park in Angul, as a joint venture with IDCO.
  • Similarly, it has entered into an agreement with Bharat Earth Movers Limited for the production of aluminium rail wagons. (Where ?)
  • This apart, cement plant being another new venture for the flagship PSU, expression of interest has been invited from competent parties to set up a cement plant based on fly ash of Nalco’s power plant at Angul