ALUMINIUM PRODUCTION IN MAY 2003

---

The National Aluminum Company Ltd. (NALCO ) a public sector unit of the Ministry of Mines produced 24,653 tonnes of aluminum in the month of May 2003 against a target of 23,800 tonnes. The Company exported 73,104 tonnes of alumina and 10,559 tonnes of aluminum during the month. During April & May NALCO's cumulative production of aluminum was 48,509 tonnes against a target of 46,850 tonnes. It produced 38,211 tonness of aluminum during the corresponding two months of the last year.

The Private Sector Unit Bharat Aluminium Company Ltd. (BALCO) which has 49 per cent Central Government equity, produced 8,260 tonnes of aluminum during the month,against a target of 8,300 tonnes. Its cumulative production in April & May was 16,390 tonnes against a target of 16,400 tonnes. The private sector units Indian Aluminum Company Ltd. (INDAL), Hindustan Aluminum Company Ltd. (HINDALCO) and Madras Aluminum Company Ltd. (MALCO) produced 5,927 tonnes, 26,954 tonnes and 2,796 of aluminum respectively during the month which was slightly less than the targets. Their cumulative production for April & May was 11,519 tonnes , 53,149 tonnes and 5,483 tonnes respectively.

The total production of aluminum in the country during May, 2003 was 68,590 tonnes against a target of 68,855 tonnes and the cumulative production was 1,35,050 tonnes against a target of 1,35,073 tonnes. The cumulative production during the April and May 2002 was 1,11,428 tonnes.