NMDC to begin construction of Chhattisgarh steelworks in late 2010

India’s largest iron ore producer NMDC Ltd is set to start construction of its steel plant project in the Indian state of Chhattisgarh in November or December this year, to be completed by 2012, the country’s Steel Minister Virbhadra Singh announced on August 17. According to Indian press sources, the minister said that the integrated three million mt steel plant will be worth INR 150.23 billion ($3.23 billion) and invited Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to inaugurate the plant. The minister said that land acquisition for the plant has been completed and that the unit will provide direct and indirect employment to about 20,000 people.