ReutersThere has also been a reduction in carbon intensity to 30% below global average of $1,500 per tonne.

KOLKATA: Vedanta on Thursday said its alumina refinery at Lanjigarh is expected to post an increase in total production to increase to 1.8 million tonne in FY 20 from 1.5 million tonne in the previous year, led by significant improvement in operating efficiencies.

The improvement in operational parameters has been driven by a 26% reduction in caustic soda consumption and a 19% decline in conversion cost , an official statement said. The unit has also achieved a 9% reduction in bauxite cost per tonne through strategic bauxite sourcing. Lanjigarh now ranks among the top five alumina refineries globally in terms of total energy consumption, the statement added.

There has also been a reduction in carbon intensity to 30% below global average of $1,500 per tonne. The Lanjigarh refinery is on track to deliver aluminium cost of production exit rate in Q4 2020. Hindustan Zinc Ltd. has recorded metal-in-concentrate (MIC) production of 90,000 tonne in February, while metal output jumped to 80,000 tonne for the month. The cost of production, excluding royalty, fell below $ 1000 per tonne levels in Q4 FY20.

On the ferrous side, the steel business of Electrosteel Steels Limited that was acquired in 2018 has recorded an improvement in operational performance with EBITDA margins of over $100 per tonne in Q4 FY20. Electrosteel is set to achieve the best ever production of 1.4 million tonne in FY20.