October 201738

nion Steel Minister Birender USingh chaired a mid-year review meeting with top management of MECON, a PSU under Ministry of Steel. The meeting was held in the presence of attended by Secretary, Steel Dr. Aruna Sharma. and senior officials from Ministry and MECON.

In his opening remarks, Shri Birender Singh said,"MECON must utilize its rich experience and expertise in the metallurgical engineering to enhance capacity utilization and product improvement by Steel PSUs. MECON can

Minister asks MECON to think bigsurely play a significant role in enhancing steel consumption in India by working on steel-intensive structures and exhibiting the advantages of using steel in buildings and other structures. With envisaged 300 Million tonne capacity of steel production by 2030, increasing steel exports is very crucial and the company must contribute to this end by application engineering and market development. In India, new aveneues for steel use like crash barriers, railway sleepers, food grain silos, electric poles, underpass structures etc. must be explored without losing time. Setting up of coa l washeries, pellet plants are some other areas where MECON can play a leading role in steering the development .”

The Steel Minister added that the company must be in constant state of improvement and its physical and financial targets must be dynamic and in tune with the times. As a pioneering engineering consultancy firm of the country, MECON must think big to accomplish in short and

long term. Diversification for topline improvement can be done but MECON must give due attention to its primary mandate of enabling growth of manufacturing, innovation and technology in India. MECON can play a big role in “Make in India” initiative in collaboration with capital goods and machinery manufacturers and steel producers, specia lly in the secondary sector. As the Key Project Consultant for NMDC’s Nagarnar Steel Plant, MECON must put in all efforts to commission the steel plant at the earliest. The company must develop and market new and latest technologies and market them in a professional manner.

The company must keep itself update with latest technologies and developments. The company must play a proactive role in solving technological challenges specific to the country and facilitate optimal use of raw materials and import substitution, Shri Birender Singh further added, according to sources.

Metals & Stainless

Steel Merchants Association, the apex body representing the stainless steel industry has announced Sunil

Agarwal as its new President. Sunil Agarwal takes over from MASSMA outgoing president, Praful Shah

Commenting on his appointment, Sunil Agarwal, Director – Vinod Cookware says, “I have tremendous respect for the work MASAMA does, when our eco-system is rapidly expanding due to extensive innovation on several fronts. I am excited to have the opportunity to be a part of this journey, ensuring that the members voices are heard and that they are involved in shaping the future of the stainless-steel Industry”.

Sunil Agarwal of VinodCookware gets elected asthe President for MASSMA

Bhilai Steel Plant signs up ACB Miningas mine developer

AIL has appointed ACB Mining SPrivate Ltd as developer and operator for its 14 mtpa iron ore block at Rowghat in Chhattisgarh, an official of the state-run steelmaker said.

SAIL's Bhilai Steel Plant has signed an agreement with ACB Mining Private Ltd for the development and operation of Rowghat iron ore mines, the official, who did not wish to be named, said. Under the agreement signed on September 25, ACB Mining will develop the iron ore mines for a period of 30 years and commercial production would begin from 2022.

The Rowghat iron-ore project has been a crucial and important for Bhilai Steel

Plant in view of iron ore security for the plant, as ore in existing mines would be exhausted in another 4 to 5 years period, the official said.

SAIL had perceived the Rowghat project 25 years back as future source for iron ore for Bhilai Steel Plant.

However, the progress was hampered for some time for want of clearances from department of environment and forests.

The steelmaker received final clearances for the project in 2009. The company is also investing Rs 1,142 crore to create logistics infrastructure such as building Rail Line network from Dalli-Rajhara to Rowghat for transporting iron ore and the work would be completed by 2022.

The steelmaker received final clearances for the project in 2009. The company is also investing Rs 1,142 crore to create logistics infrastructure such as building Rail Line network from Dalli-Rajhara to Rowghat for transporting iron ore and the work would be completed by 2022, according to sources.