Slag for river sand? JSW does it at Ballari

Ballari: To cater to the increasing demand and quality requirements, steel major JSW Steel Ltd has installed a special slag sand preparation unit at its premises in Toranagallu here.

According to JSW authorities, slag is an eco-friendly material obtained as a residue of the industrial process which can  replace river sand in the construction of buildings. JSW Steel is the first steel plant in the country to use slag sand. Forest minister Ramanath Rai who inaugurated the unit said, “Slag sand as an alternative to river sand will protect river banks and save the environment. It will also help curb the river sand mafia’s influence”.

Dr. Vinod Nowal, deputy managing director, JSW Steel said, “Slag sand has the tenacity to replace river sand as a building material, this will lead to a better environment.” JSW authorities said Karnataka requires around 35 million tonnes of natural river sand per annum. However, problems like illegal river sand mining, damage to river banks, the sand mafia and skyrocketing prices have led to a sudden stalling of infrastructure and housing projects.

“Therefore, slag sand may be useful as an economically viable and environmentally acceptable alternative to river sand”, said Mr Jithendra Vashishta, head , corporate communications, JSW.  Slag is the main byproduct generated in the iron and steel industry.