30 women professionals have been deployed, comprising 10 in beam‑raising operations and 20 as PTM pilots. This deployment marks a significant milestone for BALCO, coinciding with its entry into the prestigious ‘million tonne club’.
The pilots have progressed through a rigorous capability path that blends classroom instruction, simulator sessions and progressively responsible on-the-job exposure. They now execute critical pot room tasks such as anode changing, covering, tapping of molten aluminium and beam raising that keep electrolytic reduction cells within tight parameters for stable and continuous metal production. In addition, beam-raising activities across all potlines are now women-led, with women designated as Beam Raising In-Charge in each room.
Commenting on the development, Rajesh Kumar, CEO & Director, BALCO, said, “At BALCO, we are reshaping the future of manufacturing by placing inclusion at the centre of operational excellence. The deployment of women crane pilots at BALCO is not just a milestone, but a structural shift in how critical operations are led and sustained. Our approach integrates technology, rigorous training, and equal opportunity to unlock the full potential of our workforce. As we enter the 1 million tonne club, this transition reflects our commitment to creating a workplace that is not only high-performing but also equitable and future-ready.”
Naaz Fatima, one of the PTM pilots, said, “Working as a PTM pilot is both challenging and deeply rewarding. What I value most is that the company trusts us with these critical operations and invests in our growth. It feels empowering to know that our work directly contributes to BALCO’s progress and that we are shaping a new future for women in industrial roles.”
BALCO has also been a pioneer in integrating transgender professionals into core plant functions, beginning in 2022 with recruitment into forklift operations and security, and subsequently scaling to a larger cohort supported by gender reaffirmation policies including 30 days’ paid leave and financial assistance. These efforts made BALCO one of the first industrial employers in Chhattisgarh, to induct transgender colleagues into its aluminium operations, underscoring that inclusivity is how Vedanta Aluminium functions, not a standalone initiative.
About BALCO:
Bharat Aluminium Company (BALCO) is a subsidiary of Vedanta Limited, operating a 0.57 million tonne per annum aluminium smelter in Korba, Chhattisgarh. It is part of Vedanta’s Aluminium Business, a division of Vedanta Limited, which is India’s largest producer of aluminium, manufacturing more than half of India’s aluminium, i.e., 2.42 million tonnes in FY25. It is a leader in value-added aluminium products that find critical applications in core industries. Vedanta Aluminium ranks 2nd in the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment 2024 world rankings for the aluminium industry, a reflection of its leading sustainable development practices. With its world-class aluminium smelters, alumina refinery and power plants in India, the company fulfils its mission of spurring emerging applications of aluminium as the ‘Metal of the Future’ for a greener tomorrow. For more information, please log on to
www.balcoindia.com
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Disclaimer:
This press release contains “forward-looking statements” – that is, statements related to future, not past, events. In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “should” or “will.” Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, uncertainties arise from the behaviour of financial and metals markets including the London Metal Exchange, fluctuations in interest and or exchange rates and metal prices; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional, and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature. These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements.
About Vedanta Limited:
Vedanta Limited, a subsidiary of Vedanta Resources Limited, is one of the world’s leading Oil
& Gas and Metals company with significant operations in Oil & Gas, Zinc, Lead, Silver,
Copper, Iron Ore, Steel, and Aluminium & Power across India, South Africa, Namibia, and
Australia. For two decades, Vedanta has been contributing significantly to nation building.
Governance and sustainable development are at the core of Vedanta's strategy, with a strong
focus on health, safety, and environment. Giving back is in the DNA of Vedanta, which is
focused on enhancing the lives of local communities. Under the aegis of Vedanta Cares, the
flagship social impact program, Nand Ghars have been set up as model anganwadis focused on
eradicating child malnutrition, providing education, healthcare, and empowering women with
skill development. Vedanta and its group companies have been featured in Dow Jones
Sustainability Index 2020, and were conferred Frost & Sullivan Sustainability Awards 2020,
CII Environmental Best Practices Award 2020, CSR Health Impact Award 2020, CII National
Award 2020 for Excellence in Water Management, CII Digital Transformation Award 2020, ICSI
National Award 2020 for excellence in Corporate Governance, People First HR Excellence Award
2020, ‘Company with Great Managers 2020’ by People Business and certified as a Great Place
to Work 2021. Vedanta’s flagship Nand Ghar Project was identified as best CSR project by the
Government of Rajasthan. Vedanta Limited is listed on the Bombay Stock Exchange and the
National Stock Exchange in India and has ADRs listed on the New York Stock Exchange.
For more information, please visit
www.vedantalimited.com
