Corporate honchos, Union Ministry of Mines officials, environmentalists and stakeholders of the mines and metal sector on Friday reviewed the status of red mud generation and its safe disposal and productive utilisation to drive the nation to a cleaner future.
The Ministry of Mines in association with Jawaharlal Nehru Aluminium Research Development and Design Centre (JNARDDC) organised a ‘Red Mud Networking Meet’ in New Delhi to identify the research gaps and call for urgent action-oriented approach in addressing this abundantly-generated waste (known as red mud or bauxite residue). Speakers including Dr K Rajeswara Rao, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Mines, Nalco CMD Dr Tapan Kumar Chand and JNARDDC Director Anupam Agnihotri made their suggestions and urged the stakeholders to take concrete steps in strengthening the efforts of the Government for a cleaner climate and managing waste utilisation.
Dr Rao emphasised the need to develop technology for red mud processing to extract iron and rare earth elements. He urged all aluminium producers to come together to address the red mud challenge.
Dr Chand complimented the Mines Secretary and Additional Secretary for putting red mud in the five-year action plan of the Ministry.
Dr Chand said, “Red mud being a solid waste produced in the process of alumina production from bauxite can be a source of revenue and wealth creation if iron, gold, silver, rutile, leminite snd other rare earth elements are extracted. Its’ use in cement/ bricks, ceramic and construction industries needs a big push.”