Indian Cement manufacturers such as Shree Cement Ltd, JK Cement Ltd and
Binani Cement Ltd are looking at applying for limestone reserves in Orissa
state. These firms had also expressed interest in forming a joint venture
with National Aluminium Co. (Nalco) to install a grinding unit to
manufacture fly-ash cement in Angur in Orissa.

“Right now, we can only set up a grinding unit. Once we get a go ahead to
put grinding unit from Nalco, we will ask Orissa government for limestone
reserves,” says H.M. Bangur, joint managing director of Shree Cement.

“We have made a bid to Nalco. We have also applied for a mining (limestone)
lease. We hope to get it so that we can have a plant with 1mtpa capacity,”
said A.K. Saraogi, president (corporate affairs) and chief financial officer
of JK Cement. Nalco officials could not be reached for a comment.

“We have had the first round of talks with the Nalco officials. We are
looking at setting up a composite cement manufacturing unit with a 2Mta
capacity. When once we get JV indication from Nalco, we will apply for
limestone mining licence as well,” said Vinod Juneja, joint managing
director of Binani Cement.