The Hindu : Business : Mittal to start work on Orissa plant in 2008

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Friday, Sep 28, 2007
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Mittal to start work on Orissa plant in 2008

Satyasundar Barik

To go through the process of land acquisition

Report on rehabilitation to be
submitted to State Government
Orissa and Jharkhand projects
will be commissioned by 2011

BHUBANESWAR: Arcelor Mittal on Thursday said the construction for its proposed 12 million tonne steel plant in Orissa could begin in the first half of 2008.

“The detailed project report (DPR) would be completed by the middle of the next year. Physical acquisition of land can take place before that. We hope some kind of construction should start in the first half,” Arcelor Mittal India Chief Executive Officer Sank Mishra told reporters here on the sidelines of a conference.

The conference, ‘Emerging steel scenario in India — focus Orissa’ was organised by mjunction services limited and Metal Bulletin, London, in association with the Steel Tech and Society of Geoscientists and Allied Technologists (SGAT).

“The preparatory process, which involves identification of forest and agricultural land through satellite imagery, has been completed. The second part, physical acquisition, is a difficult one,” Mr. Mishra said. The company would go through the process efficiently and transparently, he said.

The CEO said the company would submit its report on rehabilitation and resettlement (R&R), prepared by consultant EcoSmart, to the Orissa Government by the end of October.

Mr. Mishra, however, dismissed reports that the company had sought additional land in the Keonjhar district. The Orissa Government had promised to provide 7,000 acres in the district.

“We want the State Government should help us getting forest and environment clearance for steel and power projects as well as mines. Allocation of iron ore reserve is also required,” Mr. Mishra said. He said the progress of both steel projects in Jharkhand and Orissa was satisfactory.

Once the Jharkhand Government declared its R&R policy, the company would go for carrying out DPR. When asked if the company would proceed with projects without securing the mining licence, he refused to divulge the strategy. “We are confident to resolve mining issues and land acquisition simultaneously,” he said.

Mr. Mishra said both projects would be commissioned by 2011. For mines, the company had short-listed three sites in Jharkhand. Out of which, it was zeroing on one. “In Orissa, we will reach a stage shortly so that the State Government can recommend mines for us,” the CEO said.

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