Vedanta optimistic of getting bauxite mines in 3-4 months

Optimistic of getting raw material linkage in Odisha for its refinery at Lanjigarh in three-four months, Chairman of London-headquartered Vedanta Resources Anil Agarwal today said it was painful to see only 25 per cent capacity utilisation of its plants in the state.
"The Chief Minister assured us that we will be able to operate a bauxite mine within three to four months to feed our refinery," Agarwal told reporters after meeting Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here.
"Odisha has the third largest bauxite deposit in the world. People are asking for mines before setting up plants, but you have already set up plants. Therefore, the state government is committed to provide bauxite to Vedanta," he quoted the chief minister as having said.

Agarwal said: "The Chief Minister has assured me personally that the state government has taken up the matter with the Centre and we will get a bauxite mine within three to four months."
Agarwal also met Chief secretary G C Pati and Development Commissioner A P Padhi separately and discussed the problems faced by Vedanta. The company pointed out in the meeting that Vedanta has already invested Rs 60,000 crore in setting up a refinery at Lanjigarh in Kalahandi district, a smelter and a power plant in Jharsuguda district, he said.
"However, Vedanta's refinery and smelter are running with only 25 per cent of capacities," Agarwal said, adding their plants are now national assets and should be utilised to full capacity in order to generate maxium revenue as well as provide employment to the people in the state.

Agarwal, however, said that there had been slowdown in mines and metal sectors in the country and Vedanta was certainly hit by the phenomenon. "We should see that the national assets are utilised fully for the betterment of the country," he said adding that Vedanta was ready with all preparedness to manufacture 20 lakh metric tonnes of aluminium per annum in the state.
The company has already set up a 3600 MW capacity power plant which would meet the power requirement of the smelter. "We have been assured by the state government that all the required clearance to run the power plant would be available within 15 to 20 days," Agarwal said.

Asked whether the company feel satisfied over the development, Agarwal said, "Dil to dukhta hai ki Rs 60,000 crore invest karke betha hai. But, kya kare, slowdown is across the world. (It pains to sit waiting even after investing Rs 60,000 crore. However, slowdown is across the globe).