National Aluminium Company (NALCO) has invited expression of interest (EoI) for sourcing an environment-friendly technology for a gallium plant it is planning to set up in Odisha.
The aluminium major has plans to set up a 10 tonnes per annum (TPA) gallium extraction plant at its Alumina Refinery in Damanjodi, Odisha.
"NALCO invites EOI from the interested and competent manufacturers/technology suppliers interested in providing technology for extraction of gallium from Nalco Bayer liquor (intermediate process liquor generated from Digestion of bauxite by Bayer process) and having expertise in production and marketing of metallic gallium or gallium compound," the PSU has said.
Gallium is a soft silvery metal, extracted from zinc and bauxite and is mostly used in electronics.
On receiving proposal from the parties again a fresh tender will be floated to the shortlisted parties for selection of the suitable technology provider on gallium extraction from bauxite resources.
The LME (London Metal exchange) listed company is operating a multi-location Bauxite Mines-Alumina-Aluminium complex along with a Captive Power Plant, in Odisha.
The largest domestic aluminium producer has plans for the gallium plant as the metal is available in NALCO bauxite.
The PSU has specified that only such firms which possess technical knowhow for gallium extraction plant of a gallium metal purity of 99.99 per cent from bauxite based resources or in any Alumina Refinery, currently in operation are qualified for bidding.
NALCO has bauxite mines on Panchpatmali hills of Koraput district in Odisha with a capacity of 4.8 million tonne per annum (MTPA) which is being expanded to 6.3 MTPA.
