Vedanta exploring other bauxite sources

CNN-IBN, Jan 31, 2010
Stating that Orissa was home to around 1800 million tonnes of bauxite, the Vedanta refinery COO said a huge volume to the tune of 800 million tonnes were reserved in Kalahandi region where company's alumina plant was located."Area within about 30 km radius from Lanjigarh houses around 800 million tonnes of bauxite," he said adding apart from pursuing major bauxite sites, Vedanta was also exploring other small reserves in the region.Vedanta would be able to operate its plant with expanded capacity for the next 35-40 years if it is allotted around 35 per cent of the bauxite reserve stored in Kalahandi region alone, Kumar said."We are working with a positive approach and hope to overcome the crisis created following environment ministry's rejection of mining operation in Niyamgiri hill by exploring these wide range of options," he said.Moreover, Orissa is believed to have the potential of another 1000 million tonnes of bauxite reserves, Kumar said adding that the government is undertaking an exercise to explore these potential.