Utkal Alumina International Limited (UAIL), a subsidiary of Hindalco Industries Ltd, has secured Aluminium Stewardship Initiative (ASI) Performance Standard V3.1 Certification for its Baphlimali bauxite mine in Odisha's Rayagada district, according to a company statement. The certification makes Baphlimali the first bauxite mining operation in India to achieve the ASI Performance Standard V3.1 certification, marking a significant milestone in sustainable mining practices. The ASI functions as a global certification body that sets sustainability benchmarks for the aluminium value chain, with its performance standard measuring how operations perform on environmental, social and governance parameters including biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, community engagement, human rights, occupational health and safety, and responsible business practices. The independent third-party certification audit was conducted by CETIZION Verifica under ASI's Witness Assessment process, with members of the ASI Secretariat observing the audit as part of the organisation's quality assurance framework. Dr Fiona Solomon, CEO of ASI, stated that the certification reflected UAIL's continued engagement with sustainability standards and Hindalco's efforts to implement recognised environmental, social and governance (ESG) practices across its operations.
The certification covers the planning, bauxite mining, onsite crushing and conveyor transportation activities of the Baphlimali mines, which have an annual production capacity of 8.5 million tonnes. As reported by the company, these mines supply bauxite to Utkal Alumina's refinery operations and form a critical part of Hindalco's integrated aluminium value chain. UAIL is one of Hindalco's largest alumina-producing operations, contributing approximately 2.67 million tonnes of alumina annually. As the primary source of bauxite for the refinery, Baphlimali plays a strategic role in supporting the company's alumina production. The comprehensive certification encompasses the entire operational lifecycle from mining operations to transportation, demonstrating the mine's commitment to sustainable practices throughout its value chain.
Kailash Pandey, CEO Aluminium Upstream, Hindalco Industries, stated that the ASI certification of Baphlimali underscores the company's commitment to sustainability, transparency and responsible sourcing across every stage of production. According to the company's statement, Pandey emphasized that as they extend certification across their upstream operations, they are building an increasingly integrated and globally recognised responsible aluminium value chain. "The certification of the Baphlimali Bauxite Mines reflects the continued engagement of Utkal Alumina and the wider Hindalco Group with ASI's sustainability standards. The growing number of Hindalco operations participating in ASI certification across different stages of the aluminium value chain demonstrates a commitment to implementing recognised environmental, social and governance practices and advancing responsible production across the sector," Pandey noted. The achievement takes Hindalco's portfolio of ASI-certified operations to 11 across mining, smelting and downstream manufacturing, with certified operations located at Mouda, Hirakud FRP, Taloja, Kuppam, Alupuram, Belur, Renukoot, Belagavi, Hirakud and Aditya. The certification comes at a time when global manufacturers are increasingly demanding transparency, traceability and responsible sourcing across raw material supply chains, providing independent assurance that Hindalco's mining operations align with internationally recognised sustainability practices.
With global customers increasingly seeking responsibly sourced materials and greater supply chain transparency, sustainability certifications are becoming an important differentiator across industrial value chains. The ASI certification provides independent assurance that operations are aligned with internationally recognised sustainability standards and responsible production practices. Hindalco Industries Limited is the metals flagship company of the Aditya Birla Group, a $31 billion metals powerhouse and the world's largest aluminium company by revenues. The company operates across the value chain from bauxite mining, alumina refining, coal mining, captive power plants and aluminium smelting to downstream rolling, extrusions, and foils. Along with its subsidiary Novelis, Hindalco is the global leader in flat rolled products and the world's largest recycler of aluminium. The company has been ranked the world's most sustainable aluminium company in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI) for six consecutive years – 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 and 2025. With Baphlimali achieving ASI certification, Hindalco has further strengthened its upstream sustainability framework while advancing its vision of a responsible aluminium value chain spanning mining, alumina production, metal manufacturing and downstream products.
