Bhubaneswar: The Central sector National Aluminium Company Limited (Nalco) has set a new world record with excavation of 8 million tonnes of bauxite in 2017-18.

“After being credited for the lowest producer of alumina in the world, Nalco has done Odisha and the country proud by clocking the highest ever bauxite excavation of 70.84 lakh tonnes”, said the CMD Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand.

The CMD, while addressing a function organised in the Nalco headquarter permises, here on Sunday, to commomorate the Odisha formation day, said that the company refinery also achieved a record production of 21.11 lakh tonnes since inception. He lauded  the mines and refinery team for achieving 100% capacity utilization in mines and refinery.

NALCO has ended financial year 2017-18 on a strong note with smelter producing cast metal of 4.25 lakh tonne, registering a growth of 9.8%. The total sales of the company also registered sharp growth with sales of 4.26 lakh tonne and 42 alumina shipment exports, enabling company to achieve highest turnover ever since inception.

‘’My compliments to Finance and production teams for settling water dispute with the State Government. Project team has achieved the distinction of getting lease transfer for Utkal-D land and environment clearance for Caustic Soda Plant in Dahej, Gujarat,’’ Dr. Chand added.

Praising the performance of Nalco, the member 15th Finance Commission, Shaktikanta Das, said the company is  scaling greater heights with each passing year.  The former economic affairs secretary and India’s Sherpa to the G-20, said, ‘’We live a dynamic environment and the world around us is changing at a rapid rate. The role of industries in shaping a New India is immense. It is very important for industrial sector in India to adapt to the latest technological innovation and lead the developmental charge of the nation.’’

The CMD felicitated two promising sportspersons of Odisha — chess player Aparajita Gochhikar, and baseball player Geeta Bhuyan. The company also felicitated five MSMEs, M/s. Koshala Engineers,Rourkela, M/s. Kaybee Industries, Cuttack, M/s. Gampas Plastech, Balasore, M/s. Ashamani Poly Products, Balasore and M/s. Orien Engineers, Rourkela, for their sustained efforts and contributions in the MSME Sector of Odisha.

Nalco HR director  B.K. Thakur, Finance director K.C.Samal, Production director V. Balasubramanyam and P & T director S.K. Roy, Director (P&T) graced the occasion.