The Hindu Business Line : Nalco keen on setting up alumina plant in AP

THE state-owned National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) has evinced interest in establishing an alumina project in Andhra Pradesh subject to the State completing certain demands put forth by the company.

These demands include laying a railway line near the project and extending power subsidy. And interestingly, Nalco prefers to operate mines themselves instead of the Andhra Pradesh Mineral Development Corporation.

Reviewing the performance of the State mining sector, the Chief Minister, Dr Y.S. Rajashekhara Reddy, called upon the mining corporation to send in the necessary proposals for purchase of equipment useful for prospecting and procuring satellite imageries.

The Chief Minister was informed about Nalco and the Union Mining Ministry's official visit to Hyderabad earlier this week with a proposal for the Nalco project, subject to certain demands.

According to APMDC, the production of barytes during the first fine months this year was 5.52 lakh tonnes (lt). Due to the growing international demand for barytes, the corporation plans to step up baryte production to 7.5 lt.

During the year so far, the corporation has sold 4.5 lt against 3.9 lt during the previous year. During the first five months ended August 2005, the corporation achieved a turnover of Rs 38.23 crore. Provisional profit was estimated at Rs 20.32 crore, against Rs 19.29 crore last year. During the next three years, it plans to save Rs 13 crore in excavation cost.

After Gimpex Ltd acquired the rights for mining low-grade iron ore in Prakasam district, the corporation has called for expression of interest for the development of 25 areas, which can be taken up through private sector participation. These cover iron ore deposits in Anantapur, Kurnool and Khammam districts, beach sands deposits in Srikakulam, laterite in East Godavari, Blue Granite in Srikakulam, slate in Guntur, lead and dolamite in Guntur district, marble in Khammam and calcite in Visakhapatnam. As part of the corporation drive to enter new areas, APMDC plans to enter into a joint venture to tap the oil and natural gas potential off the State coast. The corporation was advised to study the Gujarat model.

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