Overview
National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO) is an integrated aluminium producer headquartered in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. It is a public sector undertaking under the administrative control of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. The company is engaged in bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting, and the generation of captive thermal power, and is among the largest producers of bauxite and alumina in India.
Key Facts
| Name | National Aluminium Company Limited |
|---|---|
| Acronym | NALCO |
| Type | Public sector undertaking (Central PSU) |
| Industry | Aluminium, mining, metals |
| Headquarters | Bhubaneswar, Odisha, India |
| Parent ministry | Ministry of Mines, Government of India |
| Listings | BSE, NSE |
Background
NALCO was incorporated in 1981 as a Government of India enterprise to exploit the bauxite reserves of the Eastern Ghats and to develop integrated aluminium capacity in the country. The project was set up with technical collaboration from Aluminium Pechiney of France for the alumina refinery and smelter. The company became operational in stages during the late 1980s.
Operations
NALCO operates an integrated complex spread across multiple locations in Odisha:
- Bauxite mine at Panchpatmali in the Koraput district, one of the largest bauxite deposits in India.
- Alumina refinery at Damanjodi in Koraput district, linked to the mine by a long conveyor system.
- Aluminium smelter at Angul, which produces primary aluminium ingots, billets, wire rods, and rolled products.
- Captive thermal power plant at Angul, which supplies electricity to the smelter.
- Port facilities at Visakhapatnam in Andhra Pradesh for export of alumina and aluminium.
Status and recognition
NALCO is designated a Navratna company by the Government of India, granting it enhanced operational and financial autonomy. It exports alumina and aluminium products to several countries and is among India's significant foreign-exchange-earning PSUs in the metals sector.
Diversification
The company has pursued diversification into renewable energy, operating wind power plants in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra, and into downstream and value-added aluminium products. It has also explored joint ventures in coal mining and overseas mineral assets.
Significance
As one of the founding integrated aluminium producers in India, NALCO contributed to building domestic capability in alumina refining and primary metal production. Its operations are central to the industrial economy of Odisha, particularly in the Koraput and Angul regions, and to India's strategic mineral and metals supply chain.
Related topics
- Hindustan Aluminium Company
- Vedanta Aluminium
- Bauxite mining in India
- Ministry of Mines
- Navratna
- Public sector undertakings in India
- Economy of Odisha
References
- Wikidata: Q3635746
- Department of Public Enterprises, Government of India.
- Ministry of Mines, Government of India.