JSW Steel has announced that JSW Vijayanagar Metallics is embarking on a brownfield expansion project for Rs 15,000 crore for the new 5 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) project at its integrated steel plant in Ballari, Karnataka. JSW Vijayanagar Metallics is a completely-owned subsidiary of JSW Steel. The project at the JSW Steel Vijayanagar Works is likely to be achieved by FY24. The production unit in Vijayanagar is the biggest single-location integrated steel-making plant in India, with a present capacity of 12 mtpa. The development will be spread across 600 acres and comprises setting up a 4.5 mtpa blast furnace, two steel melt shops of 350 tonnes each and a 5 mtpa hot strip mill along with other allied and auxiliary facilities. Sajjan Jindal, chairman, JSW Steel, told the media that the 5 mtpa project at Vijayanagar is in line with their sustainability objectives and concentrates on the circular economy by optimising their waste, water, carbon and energy footprint. They will accurately implement this brownfield expansion by leveraging their strong project capabilities and track record. The investments proposed would generate new job opportunities and create tremendous value for all JSW stakeholders. Through the introduction of artificial intelligence and other industry 4.0 interventions at this plant, it will evolve as an integral part of its network of digitally connected smart steel plants in India. On Friday, Steel minister Ram Chandra Prasad Singh laid the foundation stone of the plant in Vijayanagar. The firm told the media that the environmental approval for the project has been obtained. As part of the 18 mtpa roadmap for its Vijayanagar steelworks plant, JSW Steel strives to attain an additional 1 mtpa expansion via an upgrade of the existing plant to obtain 13 mtpa capacity in a year. JSW Steel aims for an overall capacity of 37.5 mtpa in India and the US by FY25 as a part of its next development phase. The brownfield development at JSW Steel Vijayanagar Works is part of this broader goal, the firm said. Image Source Also read: JSW Steel's planned growth is equal to capacities in last 20 years