Vedanta’s total aluminium production dropped by 4pc to 483,000mt in the December quarter (Oct-Dec) from 502,000mt in the prior year while total refined zinc production dipped by 5pc to 178,000mt from 188,000mt.
Aluminium
Aluminium production at Lanjigarh plant grew by 18pc from the prior year period to 476,000mt, with a decrease in production cost by 8pc to $269/mt. Vedanta has planned Phase I expansion of its alumina facility to 2.7mn mt.
Zinc India
Mined zinc dipped by 5pc in the December quarter to 235,000mt from 247,000mt in the prior year while refined zinc production (excluding captive consumption) was down by 5pc to 178,000mt from 188,000mt. Production cost increased to $1,077/mt, up by 3pc from the prior year. The production cost escalated due to higher mine development and one-time repair and maintenance cost partly offset by higher volume, operational efficiencies and lower coal cost, the company said.
Zinc International
Mined zinc was up by 48pc in December quarter to 60,000mt from the prior year, while refined zinc production at Vedanta’s Skorpion facility was 11,000mt, down by 45pc. The cost of production was $1,580/mt, slightly lower by prior year period.
Pig Iron
Pig iron production increased by 10pc to 179,000mt in the December quarter from 163,000mt at its iron ore plant in Karnataka. Steel production at the newly acquired Electrosteel was 317,000mt, down by 2pc from 325,000mt in the prior year.