Vedanta mulls 5 mt steel unit at Bellary; may invest Rs. 30k cr.

NRI billionaire Anil Agarwal-led Vedanta Resources is mulling a 5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) steel plant in Karnataka which may entail an investment of Rs. 30,000 crore. The mining and metals conglomerate has already initiated a feasibility study for its proposed foray into the steel sector through a joint venture, but is yet to commence talks with a potential partner, said a source. "The company is looking at all opportunities to grow in iron and steel sector. As far as steel-making is concerned, it looks very serious about development of Bellary Steel. It owns 700 acres and is looking at a stage-wise increase and may put up a five mtpa steel plant," he said. Agarwal is likely to announce the plan at the company's annual general meeting slated for August 1 in London. A senior official, when contacted, declined to comment on the issue. India�s largest iron ore producer and maker of various non-ferrous metals such as aluminium and zinc, Vedanta had in 2011 acquired the assets of Bellary Steel and Alloys (BSAL) for Rs. 220 crore through a competitive bidding process. Iron ore is one of the key raw materials for steel-making and having a captive source helps a company remain competitive. HBL