Vedanta Aluminium, the leading aluminium producer in India, has announced the appointment of David Stone as Chief Executive Officer of Coal Mines. In this new role, Stone will oversee the company’s coal mining operations, focusing on strategic leadership and integrating technology to enhance resource efficiency.
Stone’s responsibilities will include optimizing coal operations at Vedanta Aluminium’s thermal power plants located in Jharsuguda and Lanjigarh in Odisha, and Korba in Chhattisgarh. The company operates five coal mines with a combined capacity of approximately 40 million tonnes per annum (MTPA), including Jamkhani, Kuraloi, Radhikapur, Ghogharpalli, and Barra, which is currently under exploration. Stone will also emphasize sustainable mining practices.
With over 30 years of international experience in the resource sector, Stone brings a wealth of expertise to the role. His career includes significant positions at Anglo American, Xstrata, and Glencore, where he has been involved in growth phases, mergers and acquisitions, project development, and operational management. His experience is expected to play a crucial role in enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of Vedanta Aluminium’s coal mining operations.
John Slaven, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, expressed enthusiasm about Stone’s appointment, noting, “We are excited to have David on board. His extensive experience and proven leadership will be instrumental in advancing our mining operations, ensuring cost efficiency and supporting our growth strategy.”
David Stone commented on his new role, “I am honored to join Vedanta Aluminium at a significant time of expansion. I look forward to collaborating with the team to implement innovative strategies that will improve resource optimization, reduce costs, and support the company’s growth and sustainability goals.”
As part of its strategic plan, Vedanta Aluminium aims to enhance backward integration, focusing on securing a reliable coal supply chain to lower power generation costs. The company will not expand its coal-fired power capacity but will leverage digitalization and innovation to maximize coal resource efficiency and meet sustainability targets.
Vedanta Aluminium, a division of Vedanta Limited, stands as India’s top aluminium producer, accounting for over half of the country’s aluminium production, with 2.37 million tonnes produced in FY24. The company excels in producing value-added aluminium products essential for key industries and has been recognized for its sustainable development practices, ranking first in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2023 for the aluminium sector. With its advanced aluminium smelters, alumina refinery, and power plants in India, Vedanta Aluminium is committed to advancing the use of aluminium as a sustainable material for the future.
