Entries in the ‘Commodities’ Category:

Adani Enterprises acquiring coal mine in Australia from Linc Energy

Adani Enterprises is acquiring coal mine in Australia from Linc Energy.

Gautam Adani’s Adani Enterprises is close to acquiring a coal mine for $1 billion in Queensland, Australia from Linc Energy, two independent sources close to the development said. The coal block is expected to have reserves of 7-8 billion tones.

The acquisition is under Adani Enterprises’ subsidiary, Singapore based Adani Global. Out of the $1 bn, Adani is expected to give the first tranche of $435 mn in the next few days. The rest of the payment will be made over the next few months.

Sources said, Adani Enterprises will invest in the project and aims to produce over 50 million tones of coal in the next 3-4 years.

Sources said the final announcement of the deal is expected by the middle of the next month. Adani Enterprises declined to comment on the development.

Jindal Steel and Power targets ZISCO Zimbabwe

Jindal Steel and Power ( JSPL) a Jindal group company has targeted Zimbabwe’s ZISCO .

ZISCO:

Zimbabwe Iron and Steel Company

Why ZISCO:

JSPL has set its sight on ZISCO to secure iron ore reserves in Africa. Jindal Steel was drawn to the deal because the government-owned Zisco owns iron ore reserves of 100 million tonne, said Africa business head Ashish Kumar. “Since we are already operating in Mozambique and South Africa, the acquisition of Zisco would give us a wider reach in the continent,” he said.

Zisco also owns a 0.8 million tonne steel plant, shut since 2008, and limestone reserves of 60 million tonne.
Mr Kumar declined to reveal the size of the deal, but steel industry experts pegged it at around $200 million. JSPL is expected to fund the transaction through a mix of debt and internal accruals.

Problem:

The JSPL deal, however, is subject to the Zimbabwe government clearing all outstanding liabilities of Zisco. “In our proposal, we have suggested a mechanism to the government to settle the existing debt,” said Mr Kumar.

The Zimbabwe government has been looking for a suitor for Zisco for sometime. It invited bids last October that attracted JSPL and ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaker. The bids, though, were cancelled last month, reportedly on the pretext that the two entities were too big and the government was looking for a medium-sized investor for Zisco.

But worries over Zisco’s mounting debts forced the government to re-invite the steel companies. It is unclear if ArcelorMittal has submitted a bid again

If the deal Succeeds:

If the Zisco deal succeeds, it will be the latest in a string of foreign acquisitions in recent years that JSPL has concluded. The company acquired Oman-based Shadeed Iron & Steel for $464 million a few weeks ago.

Last October, it bagged a thermal coalmine in South Africa that has reserves of more than 50 million tonne. In 2006, JSPL secured rights to mine El Mutun iron ore reserves in Bolivia.

National Aluminium NALCO cuts prices by Rs 6,000 per tonne

Aluminium prices are surely going down in near term

State run National Aluminium Co Ltd has cut prices by Rs 6,000 per tonne in line with the London Metal Exchange, a senior company official said Wednesday.

“We have reduced the price of all aluminium products because the LME aluminium prices have come down,” said the official, who could not be named due to company policy.

NALCO, the country’s third-largest aluminium producer, produced 431,000 tonnes of the metal in the fiscal year to March.

Hindalco net profit doubles to Rs.664 crore

Hindalco net profit doubles to Rs.664 crore

Rise in net profit is due to sharp rise in aluminium and copper prices.

Sales jumped 43 per cent to Rs 5,404 crore (Rs 3,772 crore). On a sequential basis, the fourth quarter sales were up two per cent while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 12 per cent.
Mr Debu Bhattacharya, Managing Director, Hindalco, said the global economic recovery spurred the demand for metals with many automobile companies replacing steel with aluminium to reduce the weight of their end products. The improvement in demand resulted in higher aluminium prices on the LME.
“Our profitability improved with higher production due to debottlenecking and asset sweating, besides better product mix,” he added. The aluminium business contributed Rs 2,045 crore with an EBIT of Rs 614 crore while copper chipped in with revenue of Rs 3,361 crore and EBIT of Rs 127 crore.
Whole-year profit
For the fiscal, the company’s net profit was down 14 per cent at Rs 1,916 crore (Rs 2,230 crore) mainly due to depressed demand for metals in the second and third quarter. Sales were up seven per cent at Rs 19,536 crore (Rs 18,220 crore). Besides, lower aluminium prices on LME eroded Rs 750 crore of revenue last fiscal while high coal cost shaved off Rs 100 crore. Besides, lower by-product credit in terms of sulphuric acid realisation and lower fertiliser subsidy also impacted annual performance, the company said.
“We expect the cost pressure to continue this fiscal with higher input cost and constraint in passing on incremental cost to end customers. Our experience last year would help us tide over pressure on our profits,” said Mr Bhattacharya.

Sales jumped 43 per cent to Rs 5,404 crore (Rs 3,772 crore). On a sequential basis, the fourth quarter sales were up two per cent while earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) rose 12 per cent.

Mr Debu Bhattacharya, Managing Director, Hindalco, said the global economic recovery spurred the demand for metals with many automobile companies replacing steel with aluminium to reduce the weight of their end products. The improvement in demand resulted in higher aluminium prices on the LME.

“Our profitability improved with higher production due to debottlenecking and asset sweating, besides better product mix,” he added. The aluminium business contributed Rs 2,045 crore with an EBIT of Rs 614 crore while copper chipped in with revenue of Rs 3,361 crore and EBIT of Rs 127 crore.

For the fiscal, the company’s net profit was down 14 per cent at Rs 1,916 crore (Rs 2,230 crore) mainly due to depressed demand for metals in the second and third quarter. Sales were up seven per cent at Rs 19,536 crore (Rs 18,220 crore). Besides, lower aluminium prices on LME eroded Rs 750 crore of revenue last fiscal while high coal cost shaved off Rs 100 crore. Besides, lower by-product credit in terms of sulphuric acid realisation and lower fertiliser subsidy also impacted annual performance, the company said.

“We expect the cost pressure to continue this fiscal with higher input cost and constraint in passing on incremental cost to end customers. Our experience last year would help us tide over pressure on our profits,” said Mr Bhattacharya.

Reliance Cementation raises 1800 crores for Satna cement plant

Reliance Cementation , a subsidiary of reliance infrastructure has raised Rs. 1800 crores for satna cement plant.

The debt has been raised by Reliance Cementation, a subsidiary of Reliance Infrastructure at an interest rate of about 11 per cent from a consortium of banks led by IDBI bank. In the first phase of its plans, Reliance Cementation is aiming at a capacity of 10 million tonne over the next 3 years with 5 million tonne plants each at Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The company has also signed an MoU with the Gujarat government.

The debt has been raised by Reliance Cementation at an interest rate of about 11 per cent from a consortium of banks led by IDBI bank. In the first phase of its plans, Reliance Cementation is aiming at a capacity of 10 million tonne over the next 3 years with 5 million tonne plants each at Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. The company has also signed an MoU with the Gujarat government.

Anil Ambani had recently abbounced that he has plans to set up cement capacity of 20 million tonne per annum with an investment of nearly Rs 10,000 crore over the next five years.

SAIL IPO – FPO

Steel Authority of India ( SAIL ) is going to raise funds by an IPO / FPO. Government of India will divest 10% while SAIL will issue new shares to the tune of 10%

Here is a press article from Economic Times

The government on Thursday approved a follow-on offer by Steel Authority of India (SAIL) that is expected to raise Rs 16,000 crore,
prompting investors to sell the state-run firm’s shares in anticipation of a discount.
While the country’s largest steelmaker will issue fresh shares equivalent to 10% of its paid-up equity, the government will divest 10% of its holding. At current prices, SAIL will get an additional capital of Rs 8,000 crore while the government will pocket Rs 8,000 crore.
“The current valuation of the company appears a bit stretched,” said Mayank Shah, chief executive of Anagram Capital, a Mumbai-based broking firm. An attractive discount could work in favour of the offer, he said.
The share sale will be done in two tranches. Each tranche will contain 5% fresh equity and 5% government shares, said home minister P Chidambaram after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.
The share sale is part of the government’s ambitious disinvestment drive, which seeks to raise Rs 40,000 crore to meet its growing expenditure. The government holds a little over 85% stake in the company. After both tranches of sale are completed, the government holding will come down to about 69%.
On Thursday, SAIL shares slipped 7.18% on the Bombay Stock Exchange to close at Rs 236.75, indicating investors expect the offer to be priced at a discount. The market may also be concerned about the impact of the equity dilution and the fresh supply of shares on the company’s stock.
The share prices of state-run companies NMDC and NTPC had also seen a sharp drop after disinvestment was announced, raising apprehensions that SAIL’s stock price may fall further.
“A fair valuation of SAIL shares would be anywhere between Rs 210 and Rs 220 per share,” said Pawan Burde, vice-president of broking firm PINC Research.
“SAIL is among the few steel companies in the country that have captive mines. This prevents SAIL from getting adversely impacted from the cyclical nature of the steel industry as it could control its cost,” said Navin Vohra, partner with consulting firm Ernst & Young.
SAIL is executing a Rs 70,000-crore expansion programme to raise its installed production capacity from 13.82 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 23.46 mtpa.“It can leverage the same (equity) to raise debt with the rest coming from internal accruals and its cash reserves,” Amber Dubey, director at global consulting major KPMG.
The government received tepid response from retail investors when it divested stakes in REC, NMDC and NTPC last year.

The government on Thursday approved a follow-on offer by Steel Authority of India (SAIL) that is expected to raise Rs 16,000 crore,

prompting investors to sell the state-run firm’s shares in anticipation of a discount.

While the country’s largest steelmaker will issue fresh shares equivalent to 10% of its paid-up equity, the government will divest 10% of its holding. At current prices, SAIL will get an additional capital of Rs 8,000 crore while the government will pocket Rs 8,000 crore.

“The current valuation of the company appears a bit stretched,” said Mayank Shah, chief executive of Anagram Capital, a Mumbai-based broking firm. An attractive discount could work in favour of the offer, he said.

The share sale will be done in two tranches. Each tranche will contain 5% fresh equity and 5% government shares, said home minister P Chidambaram after a meeting of the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs.

The share sale is part of the government’s ambitious disinvestment drive, which seeks to raise Rs 40,000 crore to meet its growing expenditure. The government holds a little over 85% stake in the company. After both tranches of sale are completed, the government holding will come down to about 69%.

On Thursday, SAIL shares slipped 7.18% on the Bombay Stock Exchange to close at Rs 236.75, indicating investors expect the offer to be priced at a discount. The market may also be concerned about the impact of the equity dilution and the fresh supply of shares on the company’s stock.

The share prices of state-run companies NMDC and NTPC had also seen a sharp drop after disinvestment was announced, raising apprehensions that SAIL’s stock price may fall further.

“A fair valuation of SAIL shares would be anywhere between Rs 210 and Rs 220 per share,” said Pawan Burde, vice-president of broking firm PINC Research.

“SAIL is among the few steel companies in the country that have captive mines. This prevents SAIL from getting adversely impacted from the cyclical nature of the steel industry as it could control its cost,” said Navin Vohra, partner with consulting firm Ernst & Young.

SAIL is executing a Rs 70,000-crore expansion programme to raise its installed production capacity from 13.82 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 23.46 mtpa.“It can leverage the same (equity) to raise debt with the rest coming from internal accruals and its cash reserves,” Amber Dubey, director at global consulting major KPMG.

The government received tepid response from retail investors when it divested stakes in REC, NMDC and NTPC last year.

Neyveli Lignite Corporation – NLC expansion completed

Neyveli (TN), Apr 5 (PTI) State-owned Neyveli Lignite Corporation’s Rs 2,295.93-crore Mine II expansion project that would produce 4.5 million tonne annually was dedicated to the nation by Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal today.
The project, for which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had laid the foundation stone in February 2006.
Speaking on the occasion, Jaiswal said rapid growth of industries was required to achieve a 10 per cent GDP growth.
For this, creation of adequate infrastructure and use of modern technologies was essential, he added.
NLC officials said with the expansion, the Mine II production capacity had gone up to 15 million tonnes per annum.
The expanded mining area has an estimated lignite, a type of coal, reserves of 215 million tonne and the additional production of 4.5 million tonne would cater to the lignite requirement of 500 MW thermal power station II- e

Press trust of India Release

State-owned Neyveli Lignite Corporation’s Rs 2,295.93-crore Mine II expansion project that would produce 4.5 million tonne annually was dedicated to the nation by Coal Minister Sriprakash Jaiswal today.

The project, for which Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had laid the foundation stone in February 2006.

Speaking on the occasion, Jaiswal said rapid growth of industries was required to achieve a 10 per cent GDP growth.

For this, creation of adequate infrastructure and use of modern technologies was essential, he added.

NLC officials said with the expansion, the Mine II production capacity had gone up to 15 million tonnes per annum.

The expanded mining area has an estimated lignite, a type of coal, reserves of 215 million tonne and the additional production of 4.5 million tonne would cater to the lignite requirement of 500 MW thermal power station II- expansion

Tata Steel Nippon Steel Corp JV

Tata Steel Nippon Steel Corp JV

JV Info Tata Steel

Tata Steel’s board on Thursday approved a framework for a Joint Venture between Tata Steel Limited (TSL) and Nippon Steel

Corporation (NSC) for the production and sales of automotive cold-rolled flat products at Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, a company statement said in Mumbai.

TSL will hold 51 per cent and NSC will hold 49 per cent of equity capital of the joint venture company.

The joint venture aims to capture the growing demand for high-grade automotive cold-rolled flat products in India by setting up a continuous annealing and processing line (CAPL) with a capacity of 6,00,000 tonnes.

NSC will transfer its technology for producing high-grade cold-rolled steel sheet for automotive application, including skin panels and high tensile steels, the release said.

The new JV will address the localisation needs of Indian automotive customers for high-grade cold-rolled steel sheet and contribute to further expansion of the Indian automobile industry.

Triveni Glass sells Meerut Plant

Triveni Glass sells Meerut Plant

Triveni Glass Ltd has informed that the Board of Directors of the Company at its meeting held on January 13, 2010, has transacted the following:

- The Company’s facilities at Meerut located at 76, Fitkari Village, Mawana Road, Meerut (UP), India (Both tangible & intangible assets) can be sold to M/s. Nipro Corporation, Osaka, Japan for a sum of Rs. 200 Million INR on the condition that the major portion of the proceeds will be utilized for settling the dues of IDBI & the Bankers.

Bajaj Hindusthan back in BLACK

Bajaj Hindusthan shareholers have a reason to cheer.Sugar sector stocks will see good action soon.

Company is back in BLACK.

Bajaj Hindusthan made a profit of Rs 85.20 crore for the first quarter ended December
31, 2009, while it had a loss of Rs 55.94 crore during the same period in previous fiscal.

Total income of the company stood at Rs 629.13 crore in the latest quarter, compared to Rs 362.24 crore for the same period last year, Bajaj Hindusthan said in a filing to Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

For the financial year ended September 30, 2009, the firm posted a net profit of Rs 154.61 crore, while the nation’s top sugar company was in a net loss of Rs 50.17 crore last year.

Last month, the company had said that it has got approval from its shareholders to raise Rs 2,000 crore through issuance of securities in domestic or international market.

Earlier, the firm had announced its diversification into power business with plans to set up five plants having a total capacity of 400 MW at an investment of Rs 1,600 crore.

Rungta Mines ( RML ) Cement Plant in Orissa

Rungta Mines ( RML ) Cement Plant in Orissa

Rungta Mines ( RML ) plans to set up a one million tonne cement plant in
Orissa with an investment of around Rs 600 crore, a top company executive said. The move, proposed to be funded through a mix of debt and internal accruals, would diversify the business of the group beyond mining and steel production.

“Cement project is currently in the evaluation stage and if finalised, will be established in Orissa,” said Siddharth Rungta president of privately held Rungta Mines. He added that in the short term the company would continue to focus on mining and steel business.

RML is in talks with the state government for allocation of limestone reserves to execute the cement project. Limestone is a key input in cement and every tonne of cement making requires 1.5 tonne of the raw material. The company is also in the process of setting up two steel plants, one each in Orissa and Jharkhand. The annual steel producing capacity of plants in Orissa and Jharkhand will be 2 million tonne and 0.5 million tonne, respectively.

Besides, both the locations will have a 40 megwatt captive power plant. “Production of sponge iron has partially begun at both the locations, which will be used to make long steel products. We expect both the plants to become fully operational in the next 3-4 years,” Mr Rungta said. Long steel products are mainly used for construction.

Coal India IPO : Possible ?

News is being speculated about Coal India IPO in media.

Will it see light ?  Reports suggest govt offloading 10% stake. IPO Size is estimated to be in the range of Rs. 12-15,000 crores

The government is also planning to offer the company’s shares to people from whom it acquires land for mining. Another proposal to offer equities to company employees is also being considered, Jaiswal said.

About Coal India Company:

Coal India Limited (CIL) is a Schedule ‘A’ ‘Navratna’ Public Sector Undertaking under Ministry of Coal, Government of India, with Headquarters in Kolkata, West Bengal. CIL is the single largest coal producing company in the world and the largest corporate employer in the country with manpower of 409,332 (as on 1 July 2009). With proven coal reserves of 105.82 Billion Tonnes out of total reserves of 267 Billion Tonnes (as on 1 April 2009) Coal India plays a pivotal role in Indian energy scenario.

The improved physical performance and strong financial showing in recent years, coupled with the need for accelerated coal production to meet huge capacity addition that is taking place in the country led to CIL being conferred the coveted Navratna status (October 2008). CIL joined the select band of significant players in the economic development of the country. Navratna means a lot more in terms of empowerment and the increased powers will help CIL in taking speedier decisions for its project approvals. The elevated status provides more financial and operational autonomy to CIL and it can take decisions on its own for investing in projects. CIL shall be even more diligent and responsive to the needs of its consumers.

Mission of Coal India Limited

The Mission of Coal India Limited is to produce the planned quantity of coal, efficiently and economically with due regard to safety, conservation and quality

Corporate Structure and subsidiary companies

Coal India is a holding company with seven wholly owned coal producing subsidiary companies and one mine planning & consultancy company. It encompasses the whole gamut of identification of coal reserves, detailed exploration followed by design and implementation and optimizing operations for coal extraction in its mines. The producing companies are Eastern Coalfields Limited (ECL), Sanctoria, West Bengal; Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Dhanbad, Jharkhand; Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), Ranchi, Jharkhand; South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL), Chattisgarh; Western Coalfields Limited (WCL), Nagpur, Maharashtra; Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL), Singrauli, Madhya Pradesh; and Mahanadi Coalfields Limtied (MCL), Sambalpur, Orissa; The consultancy company is Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited (CMPDIL), Ranchi, Jharkhand. North Eastern Coalfields (NEC) a small coal producing unit operating in Margherita, Assam is under direct operational control of CIL.

Coal India operates through 79 areas and 473 mines of which 279 are underground, 163 opencast and 31 mixed mines. CIL further operates 18 coal washeries, (12 coking coal and 6 non-coking coal) and also manages 200 other establishments like workshops; hospitals etc. CIL has 26 training Institutes in its eight companies. Coal India’s major consumers are Power and Steel sectors. Others include Cement, Fertiliser, Brick Kilns, and small scale industries.

Consumer Profile

CIL commands 75% of the Indian coal market. CIL fuels 76 power stations (69812 MW) out of 78 coal-based thermal power stations (71055 MW), which is 75.5% of total thermal power generating capacity of 92893 MW in the country. 78% of total coal produced by Coal India is catered to Power Utilities in the country. CIL also fuels Steel, Cement, Fertilizer and a host of other industries.

Growth Plan

With a modest coal production of 79 Million Tonnes (MTs) at its inception in 1975, CIL has been consistently increasing its production, sustaining growth, over years and ended the fiscal 2008-09 with a production of 403.74 Million Tonnes. CIL’s targeted production for 2009-10 is 435 MTs. With the annualized growth rate pegged at 7.6% during the XI Five Year Plan, and entrusted with the task of fuelling country’s energy needs, CIL is expected to produce about 520.50 by 2011-12.

As leader in the energy sector, CIL is expected to meet the increased production of coal in the years to come. Looking further into the future perspective, CIL envisages reaching a production level of 664 MTs in 2016-17.

Coal projects of CIL during XI Plan Period

134 coal projects for an ultimate capacity of 308.94 Million Tonnes per Year (Mty) have been identified to be taken up during XI Plan period. Of these 134 projects, 34 are underground (UG) projects and 100 opencast (OC). While the capacity of UG projects is about 23.39 Mty the same in case of OC projects is 285.55 Mty.

About 100 projects (of the 134) are likely to contribute to the tune of 123.21 MTs during the terminal year of XI Plan.

New Avenues in Coal India Limited – Strategic Initiatives/Thrust Areas

Refocus on Underground Mining: To sustain the reserves for longer period of time CIL is refocusing on UG production for tapping large reserves below 300 metres depth. In a paradigm shift, keeping with the recent global trend, Coal India has set its eyes on developing underground mines in a big way by adopting state-of–the–art mass production technology. Though the cost of production through this means is significantly higher than opencast production and though there is no immediate need for CIL to pursue this harder option, CIL in its role as a responsible Corporate Citizen has opted for this initiative in the national interest, This also includes production from High Wall Mining proposed to be introduced in an effort to reverse the downward trend in UG production. CIL has identified 7 UG properties for development and a global Expression of Interest has been issued. Expressions of Interest have been received for construction, development and operation of 2 MT – 5 MT annual capacity underground mines. 9 parties have been short listed. Draft NIT was circulated amongst the short listed parties and pre-NIT meeting was held. NIT document is being finalized and once complete the subsidiary companies will float tender for individual mines.

Developing abandoned mines: Another significant initiative has been the revisit of mines abandoned in the past for reasons other than exhaustion of reserves. Some of the reasons were mine fire in working seams/neighbouring seams; presence of water in and around the mine; poor economic returns due to obsolete technology; 18 such mines with estimated reserves of over 1647 Million Tonnes of high quality coking and thermal coal have been identified for developing once again under a Joint Venture arrangement with the association of internationally reputed global underground mining companies. An Expression of Interest has been floated and 12 responses received are under scrutiny. A pre NIT meeting was held in July 2009, with the short listed parties for finalization of the NIT document. Once ready, the document will be issued, expectedly in August, to the short-listed bidders for final round of tendering.

Coal Beneficiation: With limited scope of product differentiation, competitiveness of generic products like coal primarily center around quality and price. To make the product globally competitive qualitatively, bringing international standard consistency in quality is the thrust area of CIL. Coal India has taken a policy decision that all non-pithead consumers get washed coal by 2011-12.

The move towards large scale washing of coal was stalled in the past because of the debate as to who shall bear the washing cost. As the largest coal producer in the world CIL in order to bring in best practices had decided set up coal washeries, with its own finances, in all its prospective open cast mines of capacity 2.5 Million Tonnes and above. In other words, CIL has decided to bear the washing cost. Nevertheless, the consumers shall pay for the resultant consistency in coal quality and higher heat value.

Participation of organizations with requisite core competence in coal washing practices is being sought for creating coal beneficiation facilities on Build-Operate-Maintain (BOM) basis by global bidding. In the first phase CIL has identified to set up 19 Washeries by 2011-12 having a total washing capacity of 100.6 MTY primarily for non-coking coal. Coal India will provide fund and infrastructure like land, power, water, railway siding.

Coal Videsh: The yawning gap between the country’s demand and availability of coal is likely to increase to 200 MTs by next 5-6 years. Along with the enhancement of the country’s production capacity due thrust has to be given on import of quality coal to overcome this deficit. ‘Coal Videsh’ was formed with the intent of enhancing the energy security of the nation. Coal India is focusing on thermal coal abroad to supplement indigenous availability. CIL is to planning to acquire mines abroad through Coal Videsh division by taking up equity stakes in working mines or green field projects on production sharing basis. Through this venture, CIL also envisages to imbibe “Transnational” competence in coal business and transform itself into a global energy company.

Acquisition of Coal Mines in Mozambique: CIL was successful in bagging two virgin coal blocks in Mozambique through competitive bidding. The two coal blocks A1 and A2 span an area of about 224 Sq. Kms. Explorations on the blocks are likely to commence in about six months. CIL is in the process of forming a Joint Venture with a company to be nominated by Mozambique authorities. Investment Bankers also scouting for acquisition/JV opportunities with Mozambique companies holding prospecting license. Coal mined from these blocks will be imported primarily to meet customer demand in the country, especially western India.

Update:

The government is likely to raise about Rs 10,000 crore from the proposed divestment of its 11 per cent stake in Coal .
“The coal ministry and Coal India have had series of meetings with the department of disinvestment till date. The DoD expects the stake sale to generate around Rs 10,000 crore for the government,” a person in the know of the development said.
The government at present holds 100 per cent equity in the country’s largest coal producer. It is planning to sell 10 per cent of its stake through an initial public offering which may happen in July-August. In addition, it will be offering 1 per cent of its share to the employees of CIL and its subsidiaries which comprise about 4.16 lakh.
When contacted, CIL chairman Partha S Bhattacharyya declined to comment on the amount the Centre may raise from IPO, but said the IPO is on a fast track. “We might hit the capital markets by the end of July,” he said.
A draft proposal for government approval for selloff may reach the Cabinet by April end. Bhattacharyya, however, did not comment on it.
In the wake of the poor response to an auction-based route for selling its shares in two power firms NTPC, REC and NMDC, the government is likely to go for the book-building process which would offer a price band to investors to buy shares of the coal major, while CIL employees may get a 5 per cent discount on the issue price.
“The SEBI had recently given special dispensation to Coal India by which it would be able to offer shares to employees of its subsidiaries as well,” Bhattacharyya added.
The government is likely to sell its 63.13 crore shares in the IPO, while the company’s employees could be offered an additional 6.31 shares.
The CIL disinvestment would be part of the government effort to raise about Rs 40,000 crore through stake sale in 2010-11.
The country’s largest coal producer with 80 per cent market share last week paid a dividend of Rs 2,210 crore to the government for 2009-10.
“After our proposed listing, the reward of shares will spread to many investors. We want to share our prosperity with our shareholders. Today we have only one shareholder–the government and going forward we would have many,” said Bhattacharyya.

The government is likely to raise about Rs 10,000 crore from the proposed divestment of its 11 per cent stake in Coal .

“The coal ministry and Coal India have had series of meetings with the department of disinvestment till date. The DoD expects the stake sale to generate around Rs 10,000 crore for the government,” a person in the know of the development said.

The government at present holds 100 per cent equity in the country’s largest coal producer. It is planning to sell 10 per cent of its stake through an initial public offering which may happen in July-August. In addition, it will be offering 1 per cent of its share to the employees of CIL and its subsidiaries which comprise about 4.16 lakh.

When contacted, CIL chairman Partha S Bhattacharyya declined to comment on the amount the Centre may raise from IPO, but said the IPO is on a fast track. “We might hit the capital markets by the end of July,” he said.

A draft proposal for government approval for selloff may reach the Cabinet by April end. Bhattacharyya, however, did not comment on it.

In the wake of the poor response to an auction-based route for selling its shares in two power firms NTPC, REC and NMDC, the government is likely to go for the book-building process which would offer a price band to investors to buy shares of the coal major, while CIL employees may get a 5 per cent discount on the issue price.

“The SEBI had recently given special dispensation to Coal India by which it would be able to offer shares to employees of its subsidiaries as well,” Bhattacharyya added.

The government is likely to sell its 63.13 crore shares in the IPO, while the company’s employees could be offered an additional 6.31 shares.

The CIL disinvestment would be part of the government effort to raise about Rs 40,000 crore through stake sale in 2010-11.

The country’s largest coal producer with 80 per cent market share last week paid a dividend of Rs 2,210 crore to the government for 2009-10.

“After our proposed listing, the reward of shares will spread to many investors. We want to share our prosperity with our shareholders. Today we have only one shareholder–the government and going forward we would have many,” said Bhattacharyya.

Source: Coal India Website

Corus Job Cut

Steel firm Corus cuts 3,500 jobs Corus, a subsidiary of India’s Tata Steel, employs 24,000 people in the UKSteelmaker Corus has confirmed that it is cutting 3,500 jobs worldwide, including about 2,500 in the UK.

NMCE to give BSE 30-day deadline

Comex says it can’t wait indefinitely to sell 26% stake.

The National Multi-Commodity Exchange (NMCE), India’s third-largest commodity bourse, will set a 30-day deadline for the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) to comply with the stake acquisition norms and make payments as per the mutually-agreed guidelines.

The decision to convey the deadline to BSE was taken at NMCE’s board meeting on Tuesday. However, the commodity exchange’s board has agreed to allow a short period of extension if BSE shows adequate interest.

BSE, India’s largest stock exchange, had about a year ago announced to acquire 26 per cent stake in NMCE. Legal and other hurdles were cleared about seven months back, but BSE is yet to pay the acquisition amount to NMCE.

This non-payment is allegedly hurting the growth of the commodity exchange.

“We cannot wait indefinitely in the current competitive market, especially when we know that the fourth national commodity bourse is emerging very soon. We cleared everything within three days from the date of announcement, but it is BSE which is not taking the deal seriously. Therefore, we ought to look for an alternative partner, who can pump money into the commodity exchange and take it to the next growth level,” said Kailash Gupta, Managing Director, NMCE.

“BSE has its own priorities and its board members are not taking the deal seriously. If they are really keen, we will fairly prioritise them,” he added. In 2005, NMCE initiated talks with Reliance Money for up to 26 per cent stake sale. But then the price was not acceptable to the latter. However, when Reliance Money showed renewed interest at the price that was acceptable to BSE, NMCE decided to go ahead with the sale.

Reliance Money has proposed to acquire 26 per cent stake of NMCE in two phases. In the first phase the company will buy 10 per cent and the rest in the second phase.

Reliance Money, however, has no problem if BSE goes ahead with the deal. “BSE’s engagement in the bourse will certainly help formulate professional strategies for the betterment of the exchange,” said Sudip Bandyopadhyay, CEO, Reliance Money.

Reliance Money’s proposal has not yet been forwarded to the FMC for approval. “Currently, we’re working out to overcome legal hurdles, which may take a few more weeks. After that we will move Forward Markets Commission for approval,” said the NMCE managing director.

UltraTech Cement Announces Results

UltraTech Cement Limited, an Aditya Birla Group Company, today announced its unaudited financial results for the quarter ended 30th June, 2008.

Financials

For the quarter ended 30th June 2008, the Company’s Net Sales increased by 10 % from Rs. 1,360 crores in Q1FY08 to Rs. 1,496 crores. Profit before Interest, Depreciation and Tax at Rs. 472 crores (Rs. 462 crores) and Profit after Tax at Rs.265 crores (Rs. 259 crores) were up by 2 %. Domestic cement sales volume at 3.81 MMT (3.67 MMT) registered a growth of 4%.

The increase in imported coal prices from US$ 78 pmt to US$ 179 year on year have resulted in variable costs going up by 19%. The Company’s performance in the first quarter has been further impacted by the export ban for six weeks. The Company is the largest exporter of Clinker and Cement from India. Cement prices have also been contained by the Company, given the Government’s concern on inflation despite higher input costs, which have not been passed on to the consumer.

These factors collectively have put pressure on operating margins. Consequently, the results of this quarter are lower compared to the previous two quarters.

Capex

The existing capex plans relating to expansion and modernisation are on track. The Clinkerisation Unit in Andhra Pradesh Cement Works (APCW) has been commissioned. The split grinding Unit at Ginigera in Karnataka will go on stream during the first half of the current fiscal. Consequently, the total capacity of the Company will increase to 23.1 MMT.

With regard to the 92MW Thermal Power Plant being set up at Gujarat Cement Works, the first two phases aggregating 46MW have already commenced operations. The remaining two streams of 23MW each will be fully operational during CY‘08. Additionally, three more thermal power plants aggregating to 135 MW are being set up at APCW, Hirmi Cement Works in Chhattisgarh (HCW) and Awarpur Cement Works in Maharashtra (ACW) respectively. The power plants at APCW and HCW will be commissioned by October 2008.

Upon commissioning the Company will have access to around 270 MW of Captive Thermal Power, catering to nearly 80% of the Company’s power requirements. This will also result in paring the Company’s power cost.

During the quarter, 5 Ready Mix Concrete Plants with a combined capacity of 9 lacs cubic metres were set up. To cater to the growing demand for this segment, additional RMC Plants are on the anvil in the current financial year.

The Board has further approved a capex of Rs. 1,000 crores. Of this, Rs.250 crores will be spent on instituting Waste Heat Recovery Systems of 25MW across Units of the Company for generating power out of waste gases. The balance funds will be invested in additional RMC Plants, extension of the jetty in Gujarat, new Port Terminals and other schemes for improving productivity.

Towards all of these capex initiatives, the Company has already expended Rs.2,150 crores. Approximately Rs.2,050 crores will be spent further during the next three years.

Outlook

The economy in general, including the Cement Sector, is gravely affected by the escalation in fuel prices, rising interest rates and sluggish economic growth. Unless this is successfully contained, it can slow down construction growth and consequently the demand for cement.

In addition, the commissioning of around 90 million tonnes capacity over the next three years could lead to a surplus scenario by CY’09 and exert pressure on cement prices.