Public sector National Aluminium Company (NALCO), which has bauxite mines and alumina refinery and smelter in neighbouring Odisha, has revived its proposal for bauxite mining and investment on aluminium complex in Visakhapatnam district generating a lot of interest among various circles.
After a lull on bauxite mining, the issue has become a hot topic with many opining that bauxite mining by NALCO, which is under the Ministry of Mines with proven track record on employment and CSR activity in Odisha, may not come in the way of Samata judgment given by the Supreme Court.
NALCO Chairman and Managing Director T.K. Chand during his recent visit to the city told that they were interested to set up 1.4 or two million tonne alumina refinery with an investment of Rs. 7,000 crore to Rs. 12,000 crore in addition to smelter complex and captive power plant.
He said they were in the process of seeking permission from the State and Central Governments for obtaining mining leases.