MUMBAI, November 7: Hindalco Industries, which is planning a Rs 8,000-crore integrated aluminium project in Orissa, has identified two bauxite mines in Ib Valley. The two mines have a total capacity of 180 million tonnes, company sources said.

Identifying mines is the most crucial part in setting up an aluminium project as the technology depends on bauxite quality. Hindalco sources said samples from the mining site were being analysed. A technical consultant have been appointed to advise on the choice of technology, sources said. It will take a final decision on the project, for which a techno-economic feasibility study is under way, by March 1998. It has also initiated an environmental study for the project. Hindalco plans to set up an integrated project with aluminium smelting capacity of 2,50,000 tonnes, alumina refining capacity of 5,00,000 tonnes, bauxite mining capacity of one million tonnes per annum, and captive power capacity of 650 mw.

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