India’s Vedanta posts record quarterly output

: Metals
26/11/03

India-based Vedanta Aluminium's production of aluminium in July-September hit an all-time high, reflecting strong local demand and the ramp-up of the group's Balco smelter expansion.

Quarterly output increased by 5pc on the year to 649,000t, while production of value-added aluminum products rose by 31pc to 432,000t, the company said in its latest earnings report. Alumina production climbed by 37pc on the year to 895,000t.

Output of primary foundry alloy and billet increased on the year by 46pc and 9pc, respectively. Vedanta does not provide outright production figures for either product.

The company expects to reach full production capacity at Balco's Potline 3 by the end of the year after hitting 50pc utilisation at the end of the quarter. The expansion is part of Vedanta's target of becoming a 3mn t/yr aluminum producer even before it adds another 3mn t/yr through its planned Dhenkanal smelter in Odisha.

Vedanta's profit more than doubled on the year to 62bn rupees ($652mn) in July-September, while revenues increased by 41pc to Rs221bn.

By Alex Nicoll

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