National Aluminium Company (Nalco) plans to invest INR 30,000 crore over the next five years in a new aluminium smelter and an associated coal-based power plant, Chairman and Managing Director Brijendra Pratap Singh said on 28 August. The project is aimed at expanding production capacity and strengthening raw material security.
According to Singh, about INR 180 billion will be allocated for the smelter in Odisha, while INR 120 billion has been set aside for the power plant. He said the projects would be financed through a mix of debt and internal resources. Nalco is in discussions with Coal India and NTPC regarding the power plant.
The company is also pursuing additional bauxite and coal mine acquisitions. Singh said Nalco is exploring opportunities to bid for critical mineral mines in India as part of its growth strategy.
Nalco noted that surplus alumina supplies in the domestic market have emerged following recent tariff changes in the United States. In June 2025, US President Donald Trump doubled import duties on aluminium from 25 percent to 50 percent for most categories, while maintaining a 25 percent tariff on specific segments.
On critical minerals, Nalco is seeking equity participation in lithium projects in Australia through Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), a joint venture formed in 2019 by Nalco, Hindustan Copper Ltd, and Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd (MECL) under the Ministry of Mines. Nalco holds 40 per cent in the venture, while Hindustan Copper and MECL each hold 30 per cent. KABIL has obtained exploration rights for lithium blocks in Argentina and signed agreements with Australia to assess projects.
National Aluminium Company, established in 1981, is a state-owned enterprise under the Ministry of Mines. It is involved in bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting, and power generation.
