Dikhyaa Mohanty 
On August 28, Chairman and Managing Director Brijendra Pratap Singh said that National Aluminium Company (Nalco) will invest ₹30,000 crore over the next five years to establish a new aluminium smelter and a related coal-based power plant. According to Singh, the state-owned aluminum manufacturer would set aside around ₹18,000 crore to build the planned smelter in Odisha. He mentioned that a combination of internal resources and loans will be used to fund the project. A further ₹12,000 crore has been set aside for the construction of a coal-based power plant, for which the business is now in talks with NTPC and Coal India.
In order to improve raw material security, Nalco is also seeking to purchase more coal and bauxite mines as part of its expansion plan. The business is also looking at ways to bid on important mineral mines in India. Nalco emphasized that as more US tariffs were imposed, the amount of alumina available in the Indian market increased, putting pressure on the domestic market from excess supply. US President Donald Trump increased import taxes on aluminum in June 2025, raising tariffs from 25% to 50% on the majority of categories while maintaining 25% on a few.
Furthermore, through Khanij Bidesh India Ltd (KABIL), a joint venture of public sector enterprises entrusted with securing vital natural resources overseas, Nalco is considering equity involvement in lithium holdings in Australia.
Three state-run companies, National Aluminium Company (Nalco), Hindustan Copper Ltd., and Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd. (MECL), all under the Ministry of Mines, founded KABIL in 2019. In order to secure India’s long-term supply chain needs, KABIL’s mission is to find, acquire, and develop strategic and vital minerals like cobalt, lithium, and others from foreign sources. Nalco owns 40% of the company, while Hindustan Copper and MECL each own 30%.
The business has already struck agreements with Australia to jointly appraise properties and acquired exploration rights for lithium blocks in Argentina.
Three state-run companies, National Aluminium Company (Nalco), Hindustan Copper Ltd., and Mineral Exploration Corporation Ltd. (MECL), all under the Ministry of Mines, founded KABIL in 2019. In order to secure India’s long-term supply chain needs, KABIL’s mission is to find, acquire, and develop strategic and vital minerals like cobalt, lithium, and others from foreign sources. Nalco owns 40% of the company, while Hindustan Copper and MECL each own 30%.
The business has already struck agreements with Australia to jointly appraise properties and acquired exploration rights for lithium blocks in Argentina.
