Hzl To Up Capacity To Meet Demand

Hindustan Zinc Ltd (HZL) is planning to expand the capacity of its Debari and Visakhapatnam plants by 10,000 tonnes each next year, according to Union minister for steel & mines B P Baishya. Addressing the consultative committee attached to his ministry yesterday, the minister said HZL was also planning to instal a new zinc smelter with a capacity of 100,000 tonnes.

Baishya pointed out that the expansion was part of the ninth plan, since the demand for zinc and lead was expected to grow at an annual compound rate of 6 per cent during 1997-2002.

The demand for zinc is estimated at 286,000 tonnes in the terminal year of the ninth plan.

 

A Planning Commission working group has estimated that the demand for lead will grow at an annual compound rate of 7 per cent during the plan period to touch 120,200 tonnes by the terminal year of the ninth plan.

To augment its resource base, HZL has signed a memorandum of understanding with BHPM of Australia for grassroots exploration of zinc and lead along with other precious minerals in Rajasthan. It is also negotiating with Pasminco, Australia, for a joint venture for grassroots exploration in Ajmer, Rajasthan.

HZL has undertaken exploration of gold in Jagpura, Rajasthan, with an investment of Rs 1.83 crore. It has also entered into a joint venture with La Source for exploration and exploitation of Pac Lang gold prospect in Vietnam.