THEBUSINESSBYTES
BUREAU
BHUBANESWAR,
MARCH 2, 2026
Oil-to-metals major Vedanta
Limited has been declared the ‘Preferred Bidder’ for the Karnapodikonda bauxite
block in Koraput district of Odisha, following a competitive auction conducted
by the state government.
The Directorate of
Mines and Geology, Government of Odisha, had issued the Notice Inviting Tender
on December 4, 2025. Vedanta qualified at the initial bid stage and
subsequently participated in the live e-auction for the grant of the mining
lease.
The company received
the formal ‘Declaration of Preferred Bidder’ notification on February 27, 2026.
The Karnapodikonda block, classified at the G2 level of exploration, covers a total
area of 532.747 hectares.
The acquisition is
expected to enhance Vedanta’s raw material security and support strategic
backward integration for its aluminium operations, strengthening the company’s
long-term supply chain resilience.
Rajiv Kumar, CEO, Vedanta Aluminium said, “Being declared the preferred bidder for the Karnapodikonda bauxite block reinforces our journey toward building a fully integrated and resilient aluminium value chain in India. This development directly supports our expansion roadmap and reinforces Vedanta Aluminium’s commitment to driving industrial growth, local value creation, and self-reliance in critical minerals.”
Vedanta Aluminium, the country’s largest aluminium producer, continues to focus on securing long-term bauxite resources to sustain output amid rising domestic demand and a strong market outlook. The move also aligns with the company’s strategic priorities in the run-up to the proposed demerger of Vedanta Limited, aimed at creating independent, sector-focused business verticals.
