Mathura gets financial aid from LMEL Mathura, a 72-year-old woman who became a landmark case in India’s legal history due to her rape by a police officer and the subsequent reforms in custodial sexual assault laws, has received financial assistance from Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL). The company, which operates in Gadchiroli district where Mathura resides, has disbursed Rs 5 lakh through its corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives to support her. The aid aims to help her construct a safe house and address her ongoing needs, according to a press release by LMEL. Mathura’s case, which gained national attention in 2012, led to significant changes in how custodial sexual abuse is addressed in Indian law. Her ordeal, which involved prolonged police custody and systemic failures, prompted reforms including stricter protocols for handling such cases and the establishment of special courts. Despite these legal advancements, Mathura has continued to face challenges, including poverty and limited access to basic necessities. LMEL chairman Mukesh Gupta emphasized that her struggles highlight the gap between legal progress and societal compassion, stating that her plight remains a painful reminder of the need for continued support. LMEL’s managing director, B Prabhakaran, expressed deep concern over the lack of adequate compassion for Mathura’s situation. He noted that her significance as a symbol of justice and dignity should not be overshadowed by the difficulties she still faces. The company’s CSR efforts are part of broader initiatives to address social inequities, with the aid to Mathura being a direct response to her ongoing hardships.#gadchiroli_district #mathura #pradhan_mantri_awas_yojana #lloyds_metals_and_energy_limited #mukesh_gupta
Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL) Aims to Export Cobalt from Congo Mines to India Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL), which has acquired a majority stake in CHEMAF Group, a mining company operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), plans to export its share of cobalt from the African nation to India. The initiative, part of a joint venture between LMEL and US-based Virtus Mineral Group, is expected to begin operations within the current fiscal year. The project’s success hinges on an agreement between the Indian and American governments, as the venture also involves a US partner. CHEMAF Group’s mines, located in the Katanga belt of the DRC, are among the world’s largest copper reserves and hold significant cobalt deposits. India, which lacks major cobalt resources, has long relied on imports to meet its demand for the critical mineral. LMEL’s managing director, B Prabhakaran, stated that the production of cobalt and copper from the Congo mines is projected to reach 20,000 tonnes and 60,000 tonnes annually, respectively. The acquisition of CHEMAF Group by LMEL and Virtus Mineral Group marks a strategic move to secure a non-Chinese source of cobalt, a metal vital for electric vehicle batteries and other high-tech industries. Prabhakaran highlighted that LMEL, which owns 49% of the Congo venture, has already completed 90% of the work required to launch operations. He also addressed concerns about labor issues previously faced by CHEMAF’s earlier promoters, asserting that the problems have been resolved and no layoffs will occur. LMEL’s involvement in the Congo project is also seen as a victory for the US government, which seeks to counter Chinese influence in the global cobalt supply chain.#india #lloyds_metals_and_energy_limited #chemaf_group #democratic_republic_of_congo #virtus_mineral_group
Once forbidden Maoist zone, Gadchiroli now realty hotbed Nagpur: Once a Maoist hotbed where few dared to tread, Gadchiroli is now witnessing a surge in real estate activity. The district recorded real estate transactions exceeding Rs600 crore in the last fiscal year, with over Rs30 crore collected as stamp duty. Land rates in the interiors have climbed to Rs10-15 lakh per acre, driven by the steel industry’s growing interest. The state government’s land acquisition efforts for industrial projects, including JSW Steel’s proposed facility, have further fueled demand, spurring development even in remote areas. The steel sector’s expansion has transformed Gadchiroli into a preferred destination for investors. Companies like JSW Steel and Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL) are acquiring land, while smaller firms are also entering the market. The demand is fueled by the promise of future development, with investors carving out smaller plots from farmland and selling them on a per-square-foot basis—a practice previously unseen in the region. Stamp duty rates, at 5% for rural areas and 6% for urban zones, have contributed to the transaction value, with the Rs600 crore figure representing a 5% duty rate. The government’s aggressive land acquisition strategy has intensified the real estate boom. Over the past decade, the state offered land parcels at a nominal Re 1 for industrial use in Gadchiroli town, but many buyers failed to develop the sites. Now, with projects like JSW Steel’s world-largest facility underway, the district is experiencing a new wave of investment. The Maharashtra Industrial Development Corporation (MIDC) has acquired over 3,500 hectares across 12 villages for industrial purposes, sparking both economic growth and local resistance.#jsw_steel #gadchiroli #lloyds_metals_and_energy_limited #maharashtra_industrial_development_corporation #mahendra_bramhanwade
Gadchi-linked Indo-US buyout pips China for Congo’s copper Nagpur: An international corporate buyout with a Gadchiroli connection has emerged as a significant milestone for the Trump administration in the United States, while also offering strategic advantages for India. Lloyds Metals and Energy Limited (LMEL), which operates an iron ore mine in Gadchiroli, has acquired CHEMAF Group, a copper and cobalt mining company based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The deal is being celebrated as a major breakthrough, as it establishes a non-Chinese source of critical minerals, particularly cobalt, which is vital for defense and electric vehicle (EV) industries. The acquisition, valued at $250 million, includes the purchase price and is spearheaded by a joint venture between LMEL and the U.S.-based Virtus Mineral Group. This partnership, now operating under the name Virtus Lloyds Minerals Holdings (VLMH), successfully outmaneuvered a Chinese state-owned entity that had also been vying for control of CHEMAF’s operations. CHEMAF’s mining activities are located in the Katanga region, one of the world’s largest reserves for copper and cobalt. Following the acquisition, American Under-Secretary of State Jacob Helberg tweeted on X, emphasizing the significance of the deal: “The U.S. firm Virtus’ acquisition of CHEMAF mines in the DRC is HUGE for America and the people of DRC. Under President Trump’s leadership, the U.S. is back competing in the DRC’s mining sector. This partnership is a linchpin to American economic security.” LMEL’s subsidiary, Lloyds Global Resources FZCO (LGRF), partnered with Virtus Minerals to complete the purchase, securing a 49% stake in CHEMAF. Currently, CHEMAF produces 20,000 tonnes per annum (TPA) of copper cathodes and 4,000 TPA of cobalt.#gadchiroli #lloyds_metals_and_energy_limited #chemaf_group #democratic_republic_of_congo #virtus_mineral_group
