Nalco to focus on merchant mining, bid for bauxite blocks in Jharkhand, MP

Nalco aims to acquire cobalt and lithium overseas as the two minerals are scarcely available within India

As part of its corporate diversification strategy, National Aluminium Company (Nalco) has identified merchant mining as its next key focus area. Along with commercial mining of bauxite, the navratna public sector unit (PSU) is eyeing the acquisition of cobalt and lithium abroad. 

Traditionally, Nalco's focus has been on the alumina and aluminium business, though the company has diversified to wind power and is actively pursuing upstream integration plans like caustic soda and coal tar pitch plants. Alumina sales, which contribute nearly three-fourths to Nalco's Ebitda (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation), have driven its profitability over the years. 

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