Vedanta Boosts Metal Production in Second Quarter Amid Efficiency and Capacity Gains

Vedanta

Indian mining giant Vedanta Resources reported a significant increase in metal production for the July-September quarter, citing improvements in operational efficiency and the addition of new production capacities. The growth was observed across several segments, including alumina, aluminum, zinc, lead, chrome, and copper, reflecting Vedanta's strategic efforts to enhance output.

Gains in Alumina and Aluminum Production

Vedanta's Lanjigarh refinery recorded a total alumina production of 499,000 metric tons in the second quarter, up from 464,000 metric tons in the same period last year. This increase was attributed to higher operational efficiency. On a half-year basis, production rose by 21% to 1.04 million tons from 895,000 tons during the same period in the previous year. Similarly, aluminum production increased to 460,000 metric tons in the July-September period, a rise from 447,000 metric tons a year ago.

Steady Growth in Zinc, Lead, and Chrome Output

The company's refined zinc and lead production also saw an 8% year-on-year increase, totaling 262,000 metric tons in the quarter. This growth was driven by improved metal grades and increased ore production across Vedanta's mining operations.

Vedanta's subsidiary, Ferro Alloys, reported a substantial rise in chrome ore production, which doubled to 38,000 metric tons from 18,000 metric tons during March-September last year. Ferro-chrome production also improved, reaching 26,000 metric tons, up from 22,000 metric tons, after the commissioning of a new furnace in August. The expansion was made possible after securing approval from India’s environment ministry, further bolstering Vedanta's output.

Copper Cathode Production Sees a 16% Increase

Vedanta's Silvassa smelter contributed to the positive results with a 16% rise in copper cathode production, reaching 41,000 metric tons for the July-September quarter. This marks a notable improvement from the same period last year, underscoring the company’s efforts to optimize its copper operations.

Overall, Vedanta’s strong performance across various metals showcases its focus on scaling production and leveraging efficiency improvements to meet market demand.