en.Wedoany.com Reported - Odisha's Karlapat bauxite block has entered the next stage of the auction process, with 11 companies submitting bids, of which six will qualify for the final auction round, expected to take place within the next 15-20 days.

Located in the Kalahandi district, the block has bauxite reserves exceeding 200 million tons, spread over an area of more than 3,100 hectares, making it the largest bauxite reserve currently offered by Odisha. The Odisha government auctioned the Karlapat block along with 10 other undeveloped mineral blocks on May 29.

According to industry sources, 11 companies have submitted bids for the Karlapat block, of which six will be eligible for the final auction round. Market participants said that Adani Enterprises, Reliance Industries, Hindalco Industries, Vedanta Aluminium, Powermec (supported by Naveen Jindal), and Coal India have purchased tender documents and expressed interest in the asset.

The strong response highlights the growing importance of securing captive bauxite resources as India's aluminum industry prepares for significant capacity expansion. India's largest aluminum producer, Vedanta Aluminium, plans to increase its capacity from 2.5 million tons per year to 6 million tons in the coming years. Hindalco Industries is also expanding its Aditya aluminum plant in Odisha by adding 360,000 tons per year to meet rising demand from renewable energy, electric vehicles, infrastructure, and aerospace sectors. The Adani Group, together with Abu Dhabi's International Holding Company (IHC), is developing a proposed $11.5 billion aluminum project, making long-term bauxite procurement a priority.

Due to its large scale and strategic significance, the Karlapat block is expected to face intense competition in the final bidding round. Market participants will closely monitor the shortlisted bidders, bid premiums, and the eventual winner, as the auction outcome is expected to impact India's aluminum raw material landscape and support future capacity expansion plans.