Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited Visakhapatnam Steel Plant
Visakhapatnam
Corporate Communications Department Media Release
Date 17.07.2013
STEEL MINISTER LEADS A DELEGATION TO CANADA FOR SOURCING/ACQUISITION OF MINERALS
--RINL inks MOU with Mc Master University to strengthen R&D -- Discussions on acquisition of Coking Coal & iron Ore concluded on positive note
A High Level delegation led by Sri Beni Prasad Verma, Steel Minister, reached Toronto on 15th July on a week long tour to Canada with an objective to have cooperation between organizations of both the countries for sourcing/acquisition of minerals, viz. coking coal and iron ore, as a long term perspective for sustained growth of Indian Steel industry.
Acquisition of intellectual property and cooperation in R&D activities are also part of the agenda.
On the very first day of the visit, the delegation concluded an MoU between RINL and McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada, to collaborate and strengthen Research cooperation, in the areas of Steel making, Beneficiation and Pellet making from low grade magnetite and also towards training, exchange of research, etc. Subsequently, on 16th July, MoU got signed by Sri AP Choudhary, CMD, RINL, with Dr Peter Mascher, McMaster University.
Sri Beni Prasad Verma on the occasion mentioned that such cooperation with leading University will strengthen R&D activities in steel sector which is a must to achieve Government’s planned level of over 200 million tonnes of capacity during next few years.
On a query by a Canadian organization about export of iron ore from India, Sri Beni Prasad Verma mentioned that Govt. has already taken action which has resulted in sharp decline of exports by 75%. He also mentioned that although India has rich reserves of iron ore, it is opportune time for Indian steel industry to acquire more iron ore mines to meet the requirement of next generation, the country being populous.
Sri DRS Chaudhary, IAS., Secretary(Steel), Sri Lokesh Chandra, IAS., Joint Secretary (Steel) are also accompanying the Hon’ble Minister as part of the delegation.
Sri Verma is also visiting mineral rich State of British Columbia and will have discussions with the Premier of British Columbia and other concerned Ministers and organizations on the subject during the visit.
BS Satyendra Asst General Manager (CC)
