### **Overview** National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) is a Navratna Central Public Sector Enterprise (CPSE) under the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. With the government holding a 51.58% stake (as of September 2024), NALCO operates as India’s **largest integrated bauxite-alumina-aluminium-power-coal complex**, headquartered in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The company follows a **fully integrated business model**—from mining bauxite and coal to producing alumina, aluminium, and captive power—enabling it to be one of the **lowest-cost producers globally** in the aluminium sector. --- ### **Leadership & Governance (as of Sep 2025)** - **Shri Brijendra Pratap Singh**, CMD: Over **35 years of experience** in mining and steel operations, with leadership roles across four major SAIL plants (Bhilai, Bokaro, Durgapur, IISCO). - Holds a degree in Mining Machinery Engineering from IIT Dhanbad and an MBA in Marketing. - Serves on the boards of **Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL)** and **Utkarsha Aluminium Dhatu Nigam Limited (UADNL)**, underscoring his strategic oversight in overseas mineral security and high-end alloy manufacturing. - **Shri Sadashiv Samantaray**, Director (Commercial): Instrumental in modernizing NALCO’s commercial processes, including **LME-linked pricing**, **e-tendering**, **digital platforms (NAGINNA for customers, NAMASYA for vendors)**, and performance measurement systems. - **Shri Pankaj Kumar Sharma**, Director (Production): Over **30 years of mining leadership** at NMDC; led record bauxite transportation (7.53 MMT) and refinery output (2.124 MMT in FY 2023–24). --- ### **Core Operations & Assets (Updated Aug–Sep 2025)** NALCO maintains a **vertically integrated and geographically concentrated** operational footprint in **Odisha**, ensuring logistical efficiency and supply chain resilience. #### **1. Bauxite Mining** - **Panchpatmali Mine (Damanjodi, Odisha)**: Current production of **7.5 MTPA**, aligned with refinery needs. - **Pottangi Bauxite Mine**: Secured long-term lease with **111 million tonnes of reserves**, planned capacity of **3.5 MTPA**. - All clearances obtained; **Mine Developer & Operator (MDO) selection via tender expected by May–June 2025**, aiming for **operations by September–December 2025**. - India holds vast bauxite reserves (~50% in Odisha), reducing import dependency and strengthening NALCO’s strategic advantage. #### **2. Alumina Refinery (Damanjodi, Odisha)** - **Current Capacity**: **3 million tonnes per annum (MTPA)**, following commissioning of the new 1 MTPA expansion. - Original capacity: 2.275 MTPA; upgraded through brownfield expansion. - **Commercial production of 5th stream refinery began in June 2025 (initial output ~6–7 lakh tonnes FY 2025–26)**. - **Key Advantages**: - Built **debt-free**, minimizing interest costs. - Utilizes **state-of-the-art technology**, reducing **caustic soda consumption** and **manpower requirement**. - Overall production costs remain **on par with existing lines**, despite higher depreciation. #### **3. Aluminium Smelter & Power (Angul, Odisha)** - **Smelter Capacity**: **0.46 MTPA** of primary aluminium (ingots, billets, wire rods, rolled products). - **Captive Power Plant (CPP)**: **1,200 MW thermal power plant** at ₹3.10/kWh (low cost), fuelled by own coal. - **Captive Coal Mines**: - **Utkal D&E Coal Mines** (4 MTPA capacity) operational since **January 2025**. - Coal satisfies **~60% of power plant fuel needs**; reduces external exposure and cost volatility. #### **4. Renewable Energy** - **Wind Power**: Four operational plants in AP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra totaling **198.4 MW**. - **Kayathar (Tamil Nadu) 25.5 MW wind project** delayed due to insolvency of contractor (REGen Powertech); NALCO pursuing legal review via NCLAT to ensure completion. --- ### **Backward & Forward Integration Initiatives** #### **1. Backward Integration – Raw Material Security** - **GNAL Joint Venture with Gujarat Alkalies & Chemicals Ltd. (GACL)**: - NALCO holds **40% equity stake**. - **270,000 TPA caustic soda plant** (Dahej, Gujarat) fully operational since late 2023; supplies critical raw material for alumina refining. - 8 electrolyzers (each 800 TPD) and 130 MW captive power plant (TG-1 & TG-2 synchronized) operational. - NALCO has fully funded its **₹276 crore equity commitment**. #### **2. Downstream & Diversification JVs** - **Angul Aluminium Park Pvt. Ltd. (with IDCO, 49% equity)**: - Aims to promote **downstream aluminium industries** in Odisha. - Infrastructure development underway; NALCO committed **₹16.22 crore**. - **Utkarsha Aluminium Dhatu Nigam Ltd (UADNL) with MIDHANI** - **60,000 TPA high-end aluminium alloy plant** in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh. - Target sectors: **aerospace, defence, automotive**; supports import substitution. - **Investment so far: ₹20 crore**. - **Status (Sep 2025)**: Market study indicates **low domestic demand and weak commercial viability**; both ministries considering **project closure**. #### **3. Strategic Mineral Exploration – KABIL** - Joint Venture with **HCL and MECL** under Ministry of Mines. - Focus: Secure **critical minerals** (e.g., lithium, cobalt) globally for ‘Make in India’ and Aatmanirbhar Bharat. - **Lithium Exploration in Argentina (Jan 2024)**: - Secured **exclusive rights to 5 lithium blocks** in the Lithium Triangle. - Supports development of **brine-based extraction tech** and long-term **critical mineral self-reliance**. --- ### **Commercial & Operational Excellence** - **Digital Transformation**: - **NAGINNA (customer app)** & **NAMASYA (vendor app)** enhance transparency and engagement. - Implemented **e-tendering**, **LME-linked pricing**, and **GeM procurement** for efficiency and cost savings. - **Record Performance (FY 2023–24)**: - **Bauxite dispatch: 7.53 MMT**, - **Refinery output: 2.124 MMT (101.15% of capacity)**. - **Supply Chain Resilience**: Master stockyards, optimized logistics, and pandemic-era procurement ensured **uninterrupted operations** during global disruptions. --- ### **Key Financial & Strategic Strengths** | **Metric** | **Status** | |-----------|-----------| | **Debt Status** | **Zero-debt company** – strong financial flexibility | | **Power Cost** | ₹3.10/unit (captive thermal), reinforced by 198.4 MW wind | | **Capital Expenditure (Pottangi Mine)** | ₹2,200 crores approved | | **Smelter Expansion Investment** | High-capex project, fully internally fundable | | **Alumina-Capacity Utilization** | Near full-capacity operations at Damanjodi refinery | ---