Vedanta Group Chairman Anil Agarwal has renewed the company’s push to reopen the Niyamgiri bauxite reserves in Odisha, nearly 13 years. The Niyamgiri Hills, spread across Odisha’s Rayagada and Kalahandi districts, contain substantial bauxite resources. Bauxite is a key raw material for producing alumina and aluminium. Vedanta operates an alumina refinery at Lanjigarh near the Niyamgiri Hills. The refinery currently relies largely on imported bauxite, while the company has also secured mining interests in the Sijimali and Karlapat bauxite deposits in Odisha.
Vedanta Seeks Greater Domestic Bauxite Supply
Vedanta’s renewed interest in Niyamgiri comes as the company expands its aluminium operations and seeks to strengthen domestic bauxite supplies. The company has outlined plans to expand its presence across the aluminium value chain, covering bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting and downstream manufacturing. Therefore, securing reliable domestic raw material supplies remains an important part of its expansion strategy.
₹1 Lakh Crore Investment Plan for Odisha
Alongside the Niyamgiri proposal, Agarwal outlined Vedanta’s plans to invest around ₹1 lakh crore in Odisha’s aluminium sector. The proposed investments include a 3 million tons per annum (MTPA) aluminium smelter in Dhenkanal and a 6 MTPA alumina refinery in Rayagada. Vedanta has also proposed a 1 MTPA brownfield expansion of its Jharsuguda aluminium smelter and downstream aluminium parks in the state.
Focus on Aluminium Industry Development
Agarwal has also called for the development of a broader aluminium-based industrial ecosystem in Odisha. According to Vedanta, the state could attract manufacturing units across sectors that use aluminium, including transportation, engineering and infrastructure. As reported by business-standard.com, the proposed investments are expected to support employment and encourage the development of ancillary industries and downstream manufacturing.
