Chinese producer gets approval for Indian alumina investment

Chinese aluminium producer Qingtongxia has received approval from the all-powerful National Development and Reform Commission to invest in an alumina project in India, according to Indian press reports. A 50:50 joint venture has already been agreed with India's Ashapura Minechem on a 1-million tpy alumina refinery in the eastern state of Orissa. Qingtongxia's share of costs is estimated at $400m, requiring approval from China's top economic planning body. The refinery is due to be built in two 500,000tpy stages. The original time-table called for the project to get underway by the end of this year but, as is often the case in India, Ashapura is still negotiating bauxite mining leases with the local government.