BL reported that iron ore mining company KIOCL Ltd is planning to set up a coke oven battery unit to supply coke and to generate power for its blast furnace unit and pellet plant in Mangalore.

Speaking on the sidelines of a function to plant trees in and around Mangalore here on Monday, Mr Subba Rao director (Production and Projects) of KIOCL (formerly Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Ltd) said the company has a blast furnace unit to manufacture pig iron with a capacity of 200,000 tonnes a year.

The company has stopped making pig iron as it is not profitable at present. The battery unit will help it produce pig iron at a lower cost and generate power.

The project, which is in initial stages, is before the Department of Environment of the Central Government for permission.

Saying that the project will be continued after the Department gives permission, Mr Rao said this unit will help supply coal to the blast furnace unit at a cheaper rate. He said that the plant is ready for starting a ductile iron spun pipe plant in Mangalore under a joint venture.

(Sourced from BL)