The government announced on Friday that it has allocated a coal mine in Odisha to Hindalco Industries Ltd., a subsidiary of the Aditya Birla Group. The vesting order for the Meenakshi coal mine was issued, with a peak production capacity of 12 million tonnes per annum (MTPA).
This move comes after an agreement was signed last month for the mine’s development and coal production. The Meenakshi coal mine, a fully explored block, holds geological reserves of 285.23 million tonnes (MT).
The mine is expected to generate annual revenues of Rs 1,152.84 crore, based on its peak capacity, according to the Ministry of Coal. With a projected capital investment of Rs 1,800 crore, the mine is set to boost domestic coal production and enhance energy security, the ministry said.
The project is also expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities for around 16,224 people, contributing to regional economic growth.“This initiative is a significant step towards increasing national coal production, fostering economic development, and generating sustainable jobs,” the statement concluded.
Hindalco Industries Limited, the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group, is a $26 billion global leader in metals. It is the world’s largest aluminium company by revenue and the second-largest copper rods manufacturer outside of China.
Hindalco’s operations span the entire value chain, from bauxite mining and alumina refining to coal mining, captive power plants, aluminium smelting, and downstream products like rolling, extrusions, and foils.
Alongside its subsidiary Novelis, Hindalco is the global leader in flat-rolled products and the largest recycler of aluminium worldwide. As India’s largest copper producer, Hindalco meets more than half of the country’s copper demand, with a state-of-the-art copper facility in Gujarat that includes a smelter, refinery, downstream facilities, and a captive jetty. With 52 manufacturing units across 10 countries, Hindalco has been ranked the world’s most sustainable aluminium company for five consecutive years (2020-2024) in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI).
