05 October 2023

Bhubaneswar: In a significant move to bolster Odisha's commitment to deliver long term raw material security for sustainable business, the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) and Hindalco Industries Limited, a subsidiary of the Aditya Birla Group, have come together to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the Long-Term Linkage of Raw Material for Hindalco Alumina Refinery at Kanshariguda, Rayagada.

The event was graced by the presence of key dignitaries, including the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik, Shri Pratap Keshari Deb, Minister, Industries, MSME and Energy, Government of Odisha, Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman, Aditya Birla Group, Shri Pradeep Kumar Jena, Chief Secretary, Government of Odisha among others.

Speaking on the occasion, the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Odisha, Shri Naveen Patnaik, said, "With the implementation of the Long-term Linkage Policy for Minerals – 2023, Odisha has positioned itself as the investors' preferred destination for sustainable industrial growth. This MoU is a testament to our commitment on delivering the best industrial ecosystem for growth of business. Collaborations like these are crucial for the state's progress and for providing employment opportunities to our people."

Key highlights of the Aditya Alumina Refinery Project:

• Establishment of an Alumina Refinery manufacturing unit with a production capacity of 2.0 million TPA.
• Introduction of a co-generation thermal power plant of 150 MW.
• Potential to generate 750 direct and 4,000 indirect jobs during its operational phase
• Environmentally conscious ore transportation through a fully covered closed conveyor- LDC.
• A projected investment of approx. Rs.8,000.00 crores.

Shri Pratap Keshari Deb, Minister, Industries, MSME and Energy, Government of Odisha, remarked, "Odisha's industrial landscape is evolving rapidly. This collaboration with Hindalco Industries Limited is a significant step forward, and we are optimistic about the mutual growth opportunities it presents."

Speaking on the occasion, Shri Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairperson, Aditya Birla Group said, "The Odisha-Hindalco partnership is going from strength to strength. It is a symbiotic success story that is an exemplar for holistic development. The Utkal Alumina plant brought in state-of-the-art technology, fostered new industrial growth, generated thousands of new jobs, and impacted lakhs of people in hundreds of villages through community development initiatives. The metal born in Odisha has been used in critical applications such as defence, aerospace and pharma, in India as well as overseas. The second refinery will follow the same development model, seeding more opportunities in livelihoods and cascading more socio-economic development. We are thankful to the people and government of Odisha and confident that the new project will be another shining beacon of collective and inclusive growth."

The MoU also emphasises the Long-Term Linkage (LTL) of minerals, including Iron Ore, Chromite Ore, Bauxite, and Limestone, through the OMC, reflecting the state's strategy to strengthen its industrial base.

Odisha, with its strategic location on the eastern seaboard of the Indian peninsula, offers a unique advantage to industries. This MoU is a significant step towards leveraging this geographical and natural resource advantage, making Odisha the Industrial Hub of the East.

The Government of Odisha remains committed to fostering an environment where industries can thrive, innovate, and contribute to the state's socio-economic fabric. This collaboration with Hindalco Industries Limited is a shining example of the state's proactive approach to industrial development.