Kudremukh Iron Ore Company is in the process of re-inventing itself.
“Rejuvenation is not only by expansion in Karnataka but also by taking up other projects that can create employment and generate additional revenues,” said the company’s Chairman and Managing Director, Malay Chatterjee .
KIOCL has been constantly exploring the possibility of acquiring mines in India and abroad .
The company has also initiated growth through backward and forward integration. During the 11th Plan period (2007-2012), the company drew up various schemes under the expansion and diversification programme. Some materialised, others did not.
For the 12th Plan period (2012-17), the company has identified forward and backward integration such as the blast furnace unit to make it economically viable on a standalone basis.
After the company was set up in April 2, 1976, it has been engaged in the manufacture and export of high-quality iron oxide pellets, and the supply of pig iron to the domestic market from its pelletisation and pig iron complex in Mangalore .
The company’s iron oxide pellet production capacity is 3.5 million tonnes. Other facilities include reclaimer to load pellets directly from the stockyard to the vessel.
Pellets produced at the Mangalore plant have excellent metallurgical properties (chemical, physical reduction) and are an ideal feed for BF and DR.
“The iron oxide pellets conform to global standards and are the perfect choice for quality conscious hi-tech steel plants and enjoy world-wide reputation for its product quality,” said Chatterjee.
To facilitate exports, the company has its own port facilities. The company’s own berth at the New Mangalore Port has been assuring a zero wait loading facility.
The berth can accommodate ships of up to 65000 DMT, with an average daily loading capacity of 35000 DMT.
The company, to be competitive, has also invested in power generation for own use. After earning the reputation of being a reliable supplier of iron ore pellets worldwide, the company has invested substantially on a dedicated captive power plant (CPP).
“As a solution, KIOCL has installed a CPP consisting of three diesel generating sets each of 9.36 MW using furnace oil as fuel. These DG sets are coupled to the latest automated control system. The modern design of these generators also leads to low fuel consumption,” said Chatterjee.
The pig iron complex which was commissioned in February of 2001 has an annual capacity for production of around 2.16 lakh tonnes of pig iron and incorporates latest technology obtained from Germany’s Mannesman Demag .
Environment Management
At Kudremukh, a massive yet brisk afforestation programme to restore the mined mountains to its original splendour. Two rock-filled dams have been built to prevent mine wash from polluting the river Bhadra. A 100-meter-high Lakya dam has been built to contain the tailings generated from the plant.
The company has introduced an Environment Management System that comply with International Standards ISO 14001: 2004. The system facilitates identifying significant impacts and introducing operational controls or implementing Environment Management Programs for mitigating the impacts. Re-affirming its commitment for a greener and cleaner environment, KIOCL has won several conservation awards, a proof that mining can make man a protector, instead of being a predator.
The company has also recognised that excellence in managing health, safety and the environment is essential for long-term success.
This reflects KIOCL’s commitment to create a safe and healthy work environment for employees, contractors and the communities where the company operates. It has contributed to the economic development and improving the quality of life of external stakeholders and society at large with its Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives.
CSR activities have been carried out to create infrastructure facilities for educational institutions, community development and medical/healthcare.
Accolades
KIOCL’s export performance has won several awards and accolades from CAPEXIL, VITC, FIMI, IIIE and IMM . Besides MoU excellence Award instituted by SCOPE and DPE, KIOCL has also been conferred with many more awards for its Environment Management System and Pollution Control measures.
KIOCL also won the Karnataka State Export Excellence Award for the year 2005-06 under Minerals & Mineral based Products non-SSI-Gold.
In the year 2009, the company received Sastrabdhi Rajabhasha Award for implementing Hindi as official language. Rajabhasha Manishi Award was conferred to KIOCL for implementing Hindi as official language in June 2010.