Bhubaneswar, July 11: The Aditya Birla Group has proposed an additional investment of Rs 12,000 crore for expansion of its Kansariguda Alumina Refinery in Kashipur Tehsil of Rayagada district. The project is being developed by Hindalco Industries Limited.

The refinery was initially envisaged with a capacity of 1 million tonnes per annum and an investment of approximately Rs 8,000 crore.

Considering the long-term potential of the project and the proactive support extended by the Government of Odisha, the Group has proposed an additional investment of approximately Rs 12,000 crore to enhance the refinery’s capacity by another 2 million tonnes per annum.

With the proposed expansion, the total capacity of the Kansariguda refinery will increase to 3 million tonnes per annum, with an overall investment of approximately Rs 20,000 crore.

This was revealed in a meeting between Aditya Birla Group Chairman Kumar Mangalam Birla and Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi at Lok Seva Bhawna here. The CM also reviewed the progress of the Group’s ongoing and proposed investments across the State.

The meeting provided a platform to discuss the implementation of major projects being undertaken by the Group in Odisha and identify measures for their timely facilitation.

Discussions also focused on further expansion of the Aditya Birla Group’s presence in sectors where it does not currently have significant operations in the State.

A major outcome of the meeting was the Group’s proposal to expand its greenfield alumina refinery project at Kansariguda. The project is expected to generate substantial direct and indirect employment and create further opportunities for local enterprises, service providers and downstream industries.

Welcoming the proposal, Chief Minister Majhi said that Odisha’s mineral strength must translate into greater value addition, advanced manufacturing and quality employment within the State.

The expansion of the Kansariguda refinery will further strengthen this momentum and reinforce Odisha’s position as India’s leading metals and metallurgy hub, the CM emphasised.

The Chief Minister assured the Group of continued support from the State Government for the timely implementation and expansion of its projects.

The meeting also reviewed the Group’s existing and proposed investments across aluminium, alumina, chemicals, cement, renewable energy, textiles and apparel.

Discussions further covered possible investments in copper refining, copper-clad laminates and printed circuit boards, technical textiles, paints, jewellery manufacturing and advanced aluminium products.