“We are running profitably while smelters worldwide are being shut down,” said Nalco CMD Ansuman Das while addressing the employees of company’s smelter and power complex at Angul on Friday.
While appreciating the collective endeavour of the employees, Das outlined the growth strategy and sustainability of the public-sector enterprise. Das expressed his optimism as regards completion of the ongoing lean Slurry Project by the end of this year. The project would solve the ash disposal problem of the company’s captive power plant by transporting ash slurry to the voids of coalmines. He was equally hopeful about the Utkal-E Coal Project and allotment of the Pottangi bauxite mines to the Nalco. About the proposed alumina refinery in Gujarat, Das informed that the Nalco has offered the Gujarat Govt 49% of its stake to ensure its participation and commitment. Meanwhile, the Nalco has approached the Ambassadors of six countries, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Qatar, Oman and Iran, for setting up smelters overseas in joint ventures.
Because of the sluggish aluminium market worldwide and coal shortage, the Nalco had to shut down one-third of the pots of its smelter at Angul. But recently, the company added 10 more pots to its 631 operational ones. “It’s a small but significant step,” said Das and urged the employees to remain prepared when things really start looking up.