Odisha Governor Hails CSIR-IMMT for Indigenous Coal Fly Ash Processing Technology

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati on Friday lauded the CSIR-Institute of Minerals and Materials Technology (CSIR-IMMT) for developing an indigenous pilot plant for processing bituminous coal fly ash and recovering multiple value-added products. The Governor visited CSIR-IMMT in Bhubaneswar and reviewed various research, technology development and demonstration initiatives undertaken by the institute. During the visit, he was briefed on the institute’s efforts to develop innovative and sustainable technologies in the minerals and materials sector. Kambhampati visited the PGIM Pilot Plant, Mineral Processing Pilot Plant, Sustainable Recycling Centre and the Technology Demonstration Plant focused on the recovery of four metals from deep-sea polymetallic nodules. One of the key highlights of the visit was the indigenous pilot plant developed for processing bituminous coal fly ash at the NALCO Research & Technology Centre (NRTC) in Bhubaneswar. The technology aims to recover multiple value-added products from fly ash, offering potential benefits for resource recovery and sustainable waste management. The Governor interacted with senior management officials and scientists and took keen interest in the research being undertaken in mineral processing, sustainable recycling and recovery of valuable metals from deep-sea polymetallic nodules. Dr Bipin Kumar, Member of the Hindi Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas, and Dr Ramanujan Narayan, Director of CSIR-IMMT, accompanied the Governor during the visit. Kambhampati appreciated the institute’s efforts to develop indigenous technologies and promote sustainable solutions in the minerals and materials sector. He congratulated the scientists, researchers and officials of CSIR-IMMT for their innovative work and contribution to technology development and national priorities. The visit highlighted the growing importance of indigenous research and technology development in addressing challenges related to industrial waste, resource recovery and sustainable utilisation of mineral resources.