Vedanta Aluminium, in partnership with the policy think tank NITI Aayog, is exploring sustainable applications for red mud, a byproduct of the bauxite refining process used in aluminium production. The collaboration aims to utilize red mud effectively through focused research, development, and commercialization efforts in various industries.
During a recent day-long session, participants discussed the latest findings, scale-up plans, strategic roadmaps, and the commercial viability of the project. As the testing phase of this collaborative project approaches a successful conclusion, attention is shifting towards practical applications and economic feasibility.
To support India’s self-reliance on rare earth oxides (REOs), NITI Aayog has identified several secondary resources for rare earth extraction. Vedanta Aluminium has been collaborating with the government, academia, and industry to develop technological solutions for the comprehensive utilization of red mud, including its potential as a domestic resource for extracting scandium.
The project has successfully developed a technique to extract pig iron, alumina, titania, and rare earth oxides from red mud samples. The focus now is to scale up this process commercially and demonstrate its viability on a larger scale.
John Slaven, CEO of Vedanta Aluminium, highlighted the initiative as a robust example of their efforts to identify circular economy avenues that contribute to responsible business practices within the mining, metals, and manufacturing sectors.
Dr. R. Saravanabhavan, a member of NITI Aayog, emphasized the importance of effectively handling, storing, using, and managing red mud for the advancement of the aluminium industry, particularly in Odisha, which holds about 50% of India’s bauxite reserves. He commended Vedanta and its partners for their collective efforts in researching the comprehensive use of red mud.
Aluminium, being a recyclable and eco-friendly metal, is used in numerous sectors such as power, transportation, building, construction, and packaging. Red mud, enriched with scandium, presents a promising resource for various applications.
According to the Ministry of Mines, the demand for aluminium in India is expected to grow substantially in the coming years due to projected high GDP growth. 
