JSPL’s arm Jindal Shadeed to start work on $300-million iron ore pellet plant

Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL)’s arm Jindal Shadeed Iron and Steel is likely to start work on its $300-million iron ore pellet plant in Oman within four months. It is in the process of seeking environment clearances for the 7 million tonne per annum (mtpa) project.

The company has hold its plan to establish a second 1.5 mtpa capacity direct reduction iron (DRI) plant in its complex in Oman’s Sohar due to non-availability of additional natural gas as feedstock. Jindal Shadeed is currently negotiating with technology suppliers for the project.

The company plans to use LPG, LNG, or even other oils as fuel for the project for its pelletising unit. It has to import iron ore from its mines in India or Bolivia. Apart from using it for captive consumption at its existing DRI unit, the pellets will be exported to GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) countries.

The entity has started all the project activities piling, civil and structural fabrication for the melting shop. The melt shop will have a capacity of 2 mtpa. Jindal has invested $650 million so far in the proposed integrated steel complex and the implementation of a steel melt shop and a pelletising unit will take the total investment to $1.25 billion.