The Bharat Aluminium Company (Balco) has planned to treble its capacity to 334,000 tons from the present 100,000 tons a year, by 2005. The unlisted company, India's third-largest aluminium maker, makes about 15 per cent of the country's aluminium. It is also increasing its alumina capacity to 830,000 tons from 180,000 tons, both at an estimated cost of Rs 50 billion. The management is preparing a detailed feasibility report and looking for some funding institutions, according to an official of Sterlite Industries, which acquired 51 per cent of Balco from the government in early 2001. While the study is likely to be completed in the next three to six months, it would take another 30 months for the Korba-based company to complete the project. Balco also plans to raise capacity at its own power unit to 810 MW from 270 MW.
NSTL
