Spotlight on increased use of pellets as raw material in steel plants

Union Minister of Steel Chaudhary Birender Singh, praising Central PSU KIOCL, said the Centre was emphasising on increased utilisation of pellets as a raw material in the blast furnaces of integrated steel plants in the country.

Singh, who participated in KIOCL’s programme of 'Rashtriya Ekta Divas' to mark the 143rd birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, said the pellets are made from iron ore fines and beneficiated low grade ore, which are abundantly available in mine heads. KIOCL, being a pioneer and a leader in the pelletisation industry, can contribute immensely in using these resources in the national interest.

CMD (Addl Charge) & Director (Commercial), KIOCL, Subba Rao made a presentation on the expansion and diversification plans of the company, along with plans for Vision 2020-22.

Rao apprised the minister of the challenges faced by the company on closure of the Kudremukh mines and said the Karnataka government has allocated an iron ore mine at Devadari in Bellary district to the company.

The Minister was informed earlier that the company has always been a profit-making and dividend paying CPSU. KIOCL is currently finalising a long-term plan with substantial capital investment in greenfield projects in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, to lead the pelletisation thrust in the country.

Rao thanked the Steel Ministry for its suport in securing an O&M contract from NMDC for its 1.89 mt beneficiation and 1.20 mt pelletisation plants in the Donimalai mines in Karnataka.