Today, it is Asia's largest, and one of the world's leading and the sixth largest, integrated aluminium complex, encompassing bauxite mining, alumina refining, aluminium smelting and casting, power generation, rail and port operations. It boasts of some of the world's latest and finest technology in the Aluminium manufacturing industry.
Commissioned during 1985-87, Nalco has emerged to be a star performer in production and export of alumina and aluminium, and more significantly, in propelling a self-sustained growth. It has made the country more than self sufficient in alumina and aluminium needs and has quite impressive export figures as well. Being the largest exporter of the metal in the country, it has its own section of port facilities at Visakhapatnam. All the units of NALCO employ the latest in technology and are some of the most advanced manufacturing units in the world.
The main units of NALCO are at Damanjodi (Mines & Refinery complex) and Nalconagar-Angul (Smelter & Power Plant Complex). The Bauxite mines called "Panchpatmalli Mines" is situated atop a set of five mountains called Panchpatmalli. These mines are open cast mines. The refinery complex for producing bauxite is located in Damanjodi. The smelter unit of NALCO is located in Nalconagar, Angul. The company's headquarters are located in Bhubaneswar, which is the capital of the Indian state of Orissa.
NALCO is considered to be one of the best profit making PSU in India and reaps impressively huge benefits every year. It is expanding by currently employing new projects. The ongoing second phase of expansion is set to make it the sixth largest producer of the metal in the world. The recent disinvestment issues, for the alumina giant, finally settled down after the central government decided not to disinvest profit making PSUs which meant that Nalco would not be privatized and continue to be a complete Govt of India Enterprise PSU.
