[Ferro-Alloys.com]: Indian aluminium smelter Hindalco obtained permission from the national government earlier this week for its planned greenfield alumina refinery in the western state of Odisha.

According to reports, the High Level Clearance Authority (HLCA) gave its blessing to Hindalco’s plan, which is an ?8,000-crore (US$1.1 billion) project to be built with a nameplate capacity of 2 million metric tons per annum. Slated for a 2,100-acre tract of land in Kansariguda near Rayagada, Hindalco expects the plant to put around 4,250 individuals to work upon completion. When it reaches the end of its four- to five-year construction process, Hindalco will source bauxite ore from nearby sources within Odisha.

Hindalco says it chose the location in the foothills of the Kodingamali lease for the obvious advantage in transportation costs. The refinery will join Utkal Alumina in Odisha, which is fueled by the low-silica bauxite ore brought to the surface at the captive Baphlimali mines. The firm says Baphlimali will fuel Utkal Alumina for at least the next quarter century once brought to full production.

Though no timetable has been given by the firm, it has earmarked ?5,000 crore (US$705 million) to ramp up operations at Utkal to 3 million metric tons per annum.

In addition to Hindalco’s alumina refinery, the HLCA approved a plan by Rungta Mines to increase production at its integrated steel project in three phases to 270 thousand metric tons per annum. Runtga says the ramp up, which will cost the firm around ?2,135 crore (US$301 million), will create over 2,200 new jobs in the area.

The HLCA also approved an NTPC plan to ramp up the coal-fired Talcher Thermal Power Station by adding two new 660-megawatt supercritical units. The additions will augment the plant’s current rated capacity of 460 megawatts and the firm’s overall rated capacity of 5,060 megawatts at the cost of just under ?7,700 crore (US$1.1 billion).

• [Editor:tianyawei]