JSPL to raise steel production capacity

Jindal Steel & Power (JSPL) has a steel production capacity of 3.5 million tonne (mn t) at present, which the firm expects to raise to 15 mn t by 2020.

This would make the company the fourth largest steel maker from its current position of sixth. In 2013-14, additional 7 mn t would be commissioned in Angul (Odisha) and Oman, a leading official of the firm is quoted as saying in a media.

The company has a total debt to equity ratio of about 0.85. We are conservative on debt. It is in the range of approximately Rs 14,000-15,000 crore.

As part of its strategy to acquire mines, JSPL is eyeing the assets of Gujarat NRE. The company feels that Gujarat NRE has some of the best mines that are producing hard coking coal. The mines are situated 120 km south of Sydney and just 8 km from the port.

Meanwhile, the company prefers to avoid overseas debt because of uncertainty in exchange rates, while borrowing in foreign currencies. JSPL has not raised any funds from overseas market so far.