Vedanta Aluminium is waiting for the State Government’s report on long-term raw material supply to its lanjigarh alumina refinery before resuming operations at the unit that has been lying closed for the past seven months due to shortage of bauxite.
The company is awaiting a report of the inter-Ministerial group formed by the Government to come up with proposals for long-term supply of raw materials to industrial units operating in the State. The report is expected to be submitted anytime now.
The company had earlier said it would resume operations by June-end or early July with alternate arrangements for bauxite supply from other sources.
When asked about the alternate arrangement, company sources have reportedly said the company has taken note of the cancellation of export orders of bauxite from Gujarat in the last few days and hoped ore prices would come down, which would help it arrange for cheaper raw material from the State.
The cources, however, added that the company would specify its detailed plans of procuring raw material from other States once the Odisha Government comes out with its report.
On the issue of mining in the Niyamgiri Hills, for which the Supreme Court has asked it to get permission from the Gram Sabhas, the sources said the State Government is working on the court direction.