(a) whether the demand of zinc is on the increase in the country;
(b) if so, the per capita consumption of zinc in the country during the last three years and also till date;
(c) the efforts made to increase the production of zinc;
(d) whether Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) proposes to expand its capacity; and
(e) if so, the steps taken in that direction?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF MINES (SHRI JAYSINGRAO GAIKWAD PATIL)
(a) Yes, Sir.
(b) The per capita consumption of zinc in the country at present is estimated at 0.26 Kg per annum and figures of the same for the last three years are as follows:
Year Per Capita Consumption in kilograms(c) to (e): Hindustan Zinc Limited (HZL) is expanding the existing installed capacities of Vizag Smelter in Andhra Pradesh and Debari Smelter in Rajasthan by 10,000 tonnes per annum each. HZL plans to set up a new Zinc Smelter of 1,00,000 tonnes per annum capacity at Kapasan, Chittorgarh, Rajasthan.
1997-1998 0.242 1998-1999 0.243 1999-2000 0.254