DR. TAPAN KUMAR CHAND
MANAGING DIRECTOR
Opportunities don’t happen …… you create them. He learned from the school of hard knocks that hard work and dedication are a part of the journey to success. His leadership qualities and strong sense of commitment earned him laurels throughout his career. His simple, gentle and honest behaviour endeared one and all. He graduated as a gold medalist from Utkal University, Bhubaneswar. He was also the student President (1981) at the university and later got recognized as the Indian Metal & Mining Veteran. For His unparalleled contribution towards industry and ‘nation building’, the university awarded him the Honoris Causa D.Litt., on the occasion of the university’s 47th convocation.
He is Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand. He has been in the mining and metal sector since 1982. During his professional journey, he served as the Director Commercial of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited/ Visakhapatnam Steel Plant and Director Personnel & Director I/c (Sales & Marketing), of Central Coalfields Limited. He took charge as the Chairman cum Managing Director of National Aluminium Company-NALCO, which is the largest integrated aluminium unit in Asia and is also one of the largest aluminium complexes of the world. Dr. Chand introduced a new Business Model that enabled NALCO to be the lowest cost producer of Alumina and 2nd lowest cost producer of Bauxite in the world. His emphasis on raw material security helped NALCO to get Panchapatmali Bauxite mine extension, Patangi Bauxite mine allocation and two coal blocks (Utkal D & E), ensuring Bauxite supply and energy provision for a couple of decades. He has also promoted Joint
Venture Companies like KABIL for strategic minerals , GNAL for caustic soda, which has become a profit making venture since its commissioning.
With advance training in Queensland University of Technology, Australia, Shri. Chand has penned few highly acclaimed books based on his years long experience on mines and aluminium sector. One of his books titled ‘Aluminium: The Strategic Metal’ was highly appreciated by the industry leaders and policymakers. In second book, Aluminium: ‘The future metal’, has put aluminium at the centre stage of New India. The top mining and metal professional with successful track record of performance in coal, steel & aluminium Sector, Dr. Tapan Kumar Chand is currently working as the President of at Vedanta, Odisha & Chhattisgarh the second largest producer of aluminium in the World.
VARINDIA in its special edition, is honoured to recognize him as the Crown Jewels of Odisha.