VINACHEM

Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) says it will take till January 20 to select and announce a partner for its aluminium project in Kutch, India.

V S Gadhvi, managing director, said it planned to announce the forthcoming Vibrant Gujarat event which begins on January 12.

GMDC has appointed two agencies to study the Expression of Interests, carry out a technical assessment and financial background checks of the applicant companies.

The EoIs came from Hindalco Industries, Gujarat Foils, JSW Aluminium, Nalco, Aluchem (USA), Dubai Aluminium, Jaiprakash Associates, Adani Group and Jindal Steel and Power.

The project is for setting up a 1Mt/y alumina refinery and a 500kt/y smelter. GMDC will be the bauxite provider for the alumina production from its mines in Kutch. The company has bauxite reserves to last 25-30 years.