‘Gypsum industry is growing fast, revenue has tripled in 4 years’

NEW DELHI: FCI Aravali Gypsum & Minerals India Limited (FAGMIL), under the ministry of chemical & fertilisers, is engaged in mining and exploration of gypsum. The main objective of the company is to establish and carry on in India and elsewhere all kind gypsum-related business. S K Das, CMD of FAGMIL, is bullish about the company’s growth but is keen to ensure mining doesn’t harm the environment. Excerpts:

How critical is Gypsum exploration?

Gypsum is a good source of sulphur for soil and has an impact on our agriculture. Gypsum contains 23.5% calcium and 18.5% sulphur. It’s the cheapest source of sulphur to fortify the soil and reclaim sodic soil. The productivity of crops such as oil seeds, pulses, garlic and potato increases considerably without having any adverse effect on the crops.

Does it cost less than other minerals?

Gypsum costs `1,500 per tonne as compared to single super phosphate. The cost benefit ratio is highest in Gypsum in crops such as maize, mustard, gram, garlic, onion and spinach where the yield has gone up by 15% to 25%.

What is your future plan and how you can expand your business?

FAGMIL is a mining company. It has been trying to accrue mine leases for Dolomite and SMS Grade Lime Stone in Rajasthan and White Cement Grade Lime Stone in Himachal Pradesh. It has taken a leap forward in manufacturing sector also. FAGMIL is going to establish a single super phosphate plant of 800 tonnes per day capacity at Chittorgarh, Rajasthan. Land has already been allotted and environment clearance procedures are in progress. It will be the first SSP unit in the government sector that will produce quality SSP for the benefit of farmers in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh.

What is your long term strategy?

Apart from single super phosphate plant in Chittorgarh we also have plans to establish a 1,000 tonne per day capacity white cement plant in Himachal Pradesh. It will create economic activities in Sirmour District and employment to the local people.

How do you judge your performance in the last three years?

There has been spectacular growth in the company during the last three years. The profit has increased more than three times. In 2009-2010 revenue was 15.88 crore, this has gone up to `52.11 crore in 20132014. The dividend during the same period has also increased more than 4.5 times as compare to 20092010 which was `9.31 crores in the year 2013-2014 which is more than it’s paid up capital. The AAP came to power on issues like Bijli and Pani , energy and water.

To make good on these, mass water conservation and complete sewage treatment, to stop polluting the Yamuna and generate water for non-portable purposes, such as gardening, is essential.

The average Aam Admi, with a monthly income of less than fifteen thousand rupees, depends on environmental protection for sheer survival.

Air pollution means terrible