Vedanta announces aluminum smelter in WB
Published by MAC on 2008-03-13
Vedanta announces aluminum smelter in WB
13th March 2008
by SteelGuru New
Vedanta Resources, the US$ 6.5 billion diversified metals and mining group, [has] signed a development agreement with the West Bengal government to set up a large aluminum complex at Bidhanbag in Asansol at an investment of INR 20,000 crore. Mr MV Rao MD of West Bengal Industrial Development Corporation and Mr Pramod Suri CEO of Vedanta signed the agreement.
The aluminum complex will have 650,000 tonne per annum smelter and a 3,000 MW power plant. In the first phase, the company plans to set up a 1,500 mw power unit, most of which is likely to be consumed for captive purposes. Close to 1,000 acres is needed for the project.
Mr Anil Agarwal chairman of Vedanta said that “We will bring alumina from Orissa to feed the plant. The state government has promised us good quality coal. Since energy costs comprise the bulk of the production cost in aluminum we decided to expand into West Bengal. The local people in Asansol have also shown tremendous interest in the project.”
In addition to the aluminum unit and power plant, Vedanta also has plans to develop a metal park in the region once the smelter and power plant become operational to ensure the development of the downstream industry.