Page 10 - Steel Metallurgy eMagazine Volume April 2026

FACE TO FACE

We invested over ₹60 crore
in an RO plant to recycle
tailing water — and we are
now moving toward full
dry-tailing management

with a feed capacity of 25 million tonnes,
yielding an output of approximately 8
million tonnes of concentrate. We have
over 200 million tonnes of BHQ deposits
around this region alone — this facility
will allow us to absorb a large volume of
that material to support our expansion.
Simultaneously, we have launched
projects to beneficiate our historic To address this, we invested over ₹60 Infrastructure and people are equally
tailing dumps. Over the years we have crore in an RO (reverse osmosis) plant critical. We are focused on talent
accumulated more than 20 million tonnes capable of processing 10,000 cubic acquisition and development — building
of tailing stock. In earlier decades, when metres of water per day, recovering deep capability here at Vijayanagar and
beneficiation technology was less mature, approximately 8,000 cubic metres for establishing a world-class training and
tailings were discarded at Fe grades of plant reuse. This closes the water loop development framework. Water security
40–45%. We have since brought that effectively. Looking ahead, we are for this very large industrial complex is
down to 38–39% Fe. These tailings can transitioning to dry tailing — a method another priority, as is renewable energy
now be processed and reintroduced into that recovers material from the pond, deployment, emission control systems,
our production system. In summary, we recycles it back into the production and greenery development.
are fast-tracking two key projects: BHQ system, and frees up land for better use.
beneficiation and tailing beneficiation Dry tailing management is one of the key On the product side, India currently
— drawing on our own captive mines, agenda items for this conference, and we imports significant volumes of CRGO
NMDC material, and other merchant look forward to learning from experts in (Cold Rolled Grain Oriented) and
mines in the region. that field. CRNO steel. We are putting up dedicated
facilities to address that gap. With
NM : How does JSW manage its tailing NM : JSW Vijayanagar has come a long the automotive sector transitioning
ponds safely and in an environmentally way — PLI 2 compliance, galvanised to electric vehicles — and JSW itself
responsible manner? Sustainability is products, raw material security. As entering the EV space — we are building
clearly a core commitment. COO, what are your medium and long- capacity for electrical steel, automotive
term priorities for this plant? steel, and transformer-grade steel. The
LRS : Tailing management is a very vision is to make Vijayanagar the largest,
serious responsibility for us. Our tailing LRS : This question is very close to my most sustainable, most efficient, and
pond is located away from the plant, heart. Priority number one is expansion most productive steel complex in the
nestled between natural hillocks, which — making Vijayanagar one of the world — one that serves the country's
provides natural containment. We have largest steel plants not just in India, but evolving needs in the most responsible
built scientifically engineered bunds and in the world. We are actively working way possible.Echoing the idea of our
adopted robust monitoring protocols. A toward that. But expansion must go Chairman that Manufacturing Is Key
key concern is seepage water — tailing hand in hand with sustainability and to Aatmanirbhar Bharat, JSW Group
effluent carries high pH values and other environmental responsibility. We already is expanding its industrial footprint to
impurities that must not be allowed to hold the Responsible Steel certification, position India as a global manufacturing
reach the groundwater table. and we intend to build on it. powerhouse.

10 STEEL & METALLURGY APRIL 2026