By Ashish Chugh, Investment Advisor Report Dated: Nov 04, 2008
Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd.Sarda Energy & Minerals Ltd., formed through the merger of Raipur Alloys & Steel Ltd. And Chhattisgarh Electricity Company Ltd. Is a fully ntergrated steel manufacturer. The company has a captive Iron Ore, Manganese Mines and Coal Sources. The company also has a captive power plant which provides it a clear competitive advantage enabling the company to produce at most competitive costs. The company is a manufacturer of Sponge Iron, Ferro Alloys and Rolled products. We expect to benefit from this edge in 2008-09 and beyond. The company’s has a 250-hectare plant located in Raipur with a dedicated 8-km water pipeline from the Kharoon river to the plant for uninterrupted water supply.Self Sufficiency in Critical Inputs:The company is 100% self sufficient in its energy needs, which is the most critical input in ferro alloys and steelmaking.The company has a 48MW Power plant sufficient to meet ts own power requirements.The company’s operational Iron Ore mine has reserves of nearly 20 million MT. In addition, the Company has got an in-principle approval from the Government of India for five more mines possessing sufficient reserves to meet its requirement for the next 25 years. The Company secured coal reserves of more than 100 million MT. The first mine with reserves of 67 million MT has been commissioned. As regard Manganese Ore, the company acquired mining rights from private parties in Goa. In addition, reconnaissance permits/ in-principle approvals were granted in favour of the Company for three mines in Madhya Pradesh.Low Cost Producer:The company is a low cost producer on account of its vertical integration, economies of scale and reduced dependence on the external market for supply of critical inputs. The Company had foreseen the need to secure raw material resources more than a decade ago and had taken adequate steps in that direction. The company today is completely integrated from iron ore to finished steel for end users. The availability of captive resources within a radius of 250 km from its manufacturing facility significantly saves logistic costs.