National Aluminium Company Ltd (Nalco) has reported a nine-fold rise in consolidated profit at Rs 935.74 crore for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, helped by a strong operational performance and favourable prices. The company had posted a consolidated profit of Rs 100.51 crore in the year-ago period.

Consolidated income increased to Rs 2,874.47 crore from Rs 2,042.27 crore a year ago.

“After the peak period of Covid-19 outbreak and with the opening of the markets, we witnessed a significant recovery in the second half of 2020-21,” Nalco chairman and managing director Sridhar Patra said.

“With further easing of restrictions, we are hopeful of a robust growth in the long run with our focus on increasing the production in mining and refining segments and opening up of the new coal blocks, he said.

In 2020-21, Nalco achieved the highest ever production of bauxite at 73.65 lakh tonnes.