Union Minister of Steel Chaudhary Birender Singh visits KIOCL

Team Udayavani, Oct 31, 2017, 4:27 PM IST

Bengaluru: Union Minister of Steel Shri Chaudhary Birender Singh visited KIOCL Corporate Office today and participated in the “Rashtriya Ekta Divas” programme on the occasion of 143^rd Birth Anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. 

He flagged off the ‘Run for Unity” program arranged by the company.  A presentation was made on the expansion and diversification plan along with plans for Vision 2020-22 before the Hon’ble Steel Minister in the presence of officials of Ministry of Steel, CMD, other Directors and senior officials of KIOCL. 

Speaking on the occasion, Hon’ble Union Minister emphasized that KIOCL has done pioneering work in the field of iron-ore mining and beneficiation of magnetite ore in the State of Karnataka and has been a leader in the Country for Pelletization.   Hon’ble Minister further stressed that Union Government is emphasizing thrust on increased utilization of pellets as a raw material in the blast furnaces of integrated steel plants in the Country. The pellets are converted out of iron ore fines and beneficiated low grade ore, which are abundantly available in mine heads. KIOCL, being pioneer and a leader in the pelletisation industry, can contribute immensely in utilizing these resources in the national interest.

CMD (Addl. Charge) & Director (Commercial), KIOCL Shri Subba Rao apprised the Union Minister on the challenges faced by the Company on closure of its Kudremukh mines and said that the State Government has allocated an iron ore mine at Devadari, Bellary Dt. to the Company. The Minister was informed earlier that the Company has always been a profit making and dividend paying CPSU.  KIOCL currently is finalizing its long term plan with substantial capital investment in Green field projects in the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh etc. to lead the Pelletization thrust in the Country. Shri Rao thanked Ministry of Steel for rendering the support in securing the O&M contract from NMDC for its 1.89 Mt beneficiation and 1.20Mt Pelletisation plants in Donimalai mines in Karnataka. This new business portal will facilitate KIOCL in gainful utilization of its technical manpower and open up new vistas of opportunities for securing similar assignments, in future and demonstrate its Pelletization capability for the nation  CMD, Shri Rao stated that with the suitable patronage and support of Steel Ministry with allocation of mines and setting up of Pellet Plant, this Mini Ratna  CPSU is all poised to get back its erstwhile shine and glory by demonstrating its core competency in Mining and Pelletization Industry in the Country.