Australian mining giant to set up steel plant in Kurnool district.

Australian mining giant NSL Consolidated has been given in-principle clearance by the Government of Andhra Pradesh for setting up an integrated steel plant through its Indian subsidiary NSL Mining India (NMI), along with Wei Hua Group Co. Ltd. and other companies from China, at Orvakal in Kurnool district.

The project is estimated to cost Rs.3000 crore. NMI has mining operations in Kurnool, where it has established an iron ore extraction facility, beneficiation and a pellet plant with an investment of nearly Rs. 1,800 crore.

NSL specialises in iron ore extraction, particularly low-grade iron ore.

The NSL’s beneficiation plant was set up with Chinese collaboration as Chinese technology is suitable for extracting such low-grade iron (with high silica content) as is available in Kurnool district, according to official sources.

BS