Interviewtimes 
D R Patnaik: Patnaik Minerals
D R Patnaik is one of the visionaries in Odisha mining revered not just for the excellence and professional ethics he injected into the mining business but also for the sustainable model he has built over decades. He is looked up to as the source of immense inspiration and has illumined the path for all entrepreneurs who aspire to balance topline growth in mining with sustainable development. People like Mr Patnaik are gleaming examples- in fact, outliers in mining which is largely viewed as a vocation for profiteering instead of inclusive business.
Over the years, Patnaik with his acumen, ingenuity and loads of experience has diversified the ambit of Patnaik Minerals Private Limited (PMPL). The company has emerged as a major producer of high grade calibrated iron ore (Fe +65%) for the raw material requirement of the Sponge Iron & Pig Iron plants in the region. It is also an exporter of Iron Fines to China.
It has diversified its business activities into Logistics & Infrastructure, Sponge Iron manufacturing, Renewable Energy & Mineral Beneficiation under the stewardship of Shri S. K. Patnaik who is currently heading the company as its Managing Director. The logical integration of activities and strong financial fundamentals are the core strengths of the co. besides its strong commitment towards the environment & social responsibility. The company maintains a high level of ethical practice & considers its employees as its most valuable assets. The CSR activities of the company include an ‘annual scholarship program’ since 1990. The scholarship is granted to meritorious students from the poorer sections of the district who qualify for higher studies in Engineering and Medicine. The company has recently inaugurated a ‘community welfare project’ at Keonjhar to provide free medical facility.
In order to join with the global movement to arrest GHG emissions, PMPL has entered into renewable energy sector. PMPL has set up windmills with installed capacity of 45 MW in Maharashtra and Gujarat in association with Suzlon Energy Ltd and Enercon India Ltd. It has plans to achieve 100 MW capacities from wind energy. The power being generated from various wind farms is being fed into the respective state grids. PMPL has signed the Long Term Power Purchase Agreements with various State power utilities / distribution companies, who are making the payments as per the agreements.
Also, PMPL is in process of establishing Hydro Power Projects in Orissa and Captive Power Plant (CPP) out of Waste Heat generated from existing DRI Plant. The site contouring and preliminary ground work for Hydel Plant has already been completed. The company having signed MOU with Govt. of Orissa for 37 MW in Mayurbhanj and Kalahandi district. The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the Hydel Plants has been submitted to the Govt. of Orissa for approval.
In order to cater to the increasing demand for calibrated Iron Ore, PMPL has jointly promoted BANSPANI IRON LIMITED (BIL). BIL operates a state-of-the-art Crushing unit for producing calibrated iron ore, with Rungta Mines Ltd (RML), one of the leading mining companies in the region having one of the largest deposits of iron ore. BIL’s has a production capacity of 2.0 MT.
BIL also provides for a strategic infrastructure of a private railway siding in South Banspani area, besides TISCO (Tata Group Co.) & ESSEL Mining (Aditya Birla Group Co.), for effecting bulk movement of 5 MT to various destinations in the country.
The conglomerate has a vision beyond the topline obsessed business. PMPL strives towards maintaining a harmonious balance between environment & mining by complying with all applicable laws & regulations. It encourages participation of its employees in technical forums and discussions to create awareness about regulations & social responsibility. The company has undertaken large afforestation around the mines & has taken effective measures to control & monitor pollution levels. ‘Rainwater’ harvesting & ‘recycling’ of water after treatment for use by workers living in the mining areas are steps towards conservation of water and its useful management.
The company’s employees are its most valuable asset & their ‘social welfare’ is of prime importance. The company provides accommodation and transportation to all its employees. Preventive primary health assistance is made available to all employees & their families. The company also conducts regular literacy campaigns & vocational training in the mining region as an effort towards effective education.
