Vedanta H1 profit up 284 pct on prices, volume

London, Nov 16 (Reuters) India-focused miner Vedanta Resources Plc said on Thursday first-half earnings rose 284 percent, buoyed by soaring metals prices, higher volumes and cost cuts.

Vedanta said earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) were $1.3 billion in the six months to end-September compared with $336.5 million a year ago.

This compared to forecasts of $1.27 billion, according to the consensus of eight analyst forecasts provided by the company.

Vedanta also announced plans to enter into the commercial energy business with plans to invest $1.9 billion in a greenfield power plant in India over four years.

REUTERS CS GC1331