Indian cement producer Penna Cement is planning an expansion of the Gudipadu limestone mining project at the Gudipadu and Kundanakota, Anantapur district, Andhra Pradesh.

The project will see mining operations increase from 2.3Mta to 5.3Mta and is currently awaiting environmental clearance.The estimated cost of the project is INR50m (US$777,276) and the mining lease area is 392.63ha. Estimated mineable reserves are 88.403Mt, which will be mined in fully mechanised opencast operations with mining work expected to start in 2018.

The limestone will be used for the company's cement plant in Boyareddipalli village, Anantapur district. The company plans to increase the clinker production capacity of the works from 1.5Mta to 3.5Mta while cement capacity is to rise from 2Mta to 4.6Mta.

Envi-Tech is the project consultant. The equipment supplier is yet to be appointed.