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Odisha's Karlapat Bauxite Block Ignites Industrial Race
20 Jul
Summary
- Over 200 million tonnes of bauxite reserves are available at Karlapat.
- Major Indian companies are vying for the raw material for aluminium.
- Odisha holds 41% of India's bauxite resources, vital for industry.
Several of India's largest corporations, such as Adani, Reliance Industries, Hindalco, and Vedanta Aluminium, are showing significant interest in Odisha's Karlapat bauxite block. This interest stems from the expansion of India's aluminium industry and the urgent need to secure long-term bauxite supplies.
The Karlapat bauxite deposit, located in Odisha's Kalahandi district, boasts an estimated 207 million tonnes of resources. This greenfield site, spanning 9.6 square kilometers, has an average ore thickness of nearly 12 meters and an alumina content of approximately 45.2%. It was put up for tender by the Odisha government in May, following earlier delays due to environmental and legal challenges.
Bauxite is the essential raw material for aluminium, the second most utilized metal in industry. Odisha alone accounts for 41% of India's bauxite resources, making it a strategically vital region for the mining sector. Deposits like Karlapat are critical for supporting the establishment of new alumina plants within the state.
The Indian aluminium industry is undergoing significant expansion, with companies like Vedanta and Hindalco increasing their production capacities. Adani Group's recent plans for a major aluminium project further underscore the strategic importance of securing captive bauxite resources like Karlapat for future ventures.
