KOLKATA, India (CU)_The Mining sector of India is a major contributor to the country’s economy, as the South Asian nation continues to hold its position as one of the largest exporters of iron ore, chromite, bauxite, mica and manganese. However, in the case of copper domestic production has been unable to satisfy increasing demand, resulting in a 26 per cent increase during the June quarter. According to experts, this figure is expected to accelerate over the rest of the financial year, as economic activities continue to recover from the effects of the pandemic.
Therefore, with the aim of reducing dependence on imports, state-owned mining company Hindustan Copper is taking necessary action to increase its output and augment its mining capacity through expansion projects. Back in 2010, the KOLKATA-based miner initiated plans to increase its production capacity from 3.4 million tonne per annum (MTPA) to 12.2 MTPA. Later, this figure was revised to 20.2 MTPA, and the company said the expansion plan will be implemented in a phased manner. During the first stage, the miner’s capacity will be extended to 12.2 MTPA, while the target for the second phase is at 20.2 MTPA.
“To augment production from mines, the company is taking requisite action and is also in the process of enhancing the mining capacity through ongoing mine expansion projects. Against the contract awarded for taking ore production from underground mine at Malanjkhand Copper Project (MCP) through decline route, the contractor has built up the infrastructure and development work is in progress.” Hindustan Copper said in its annual report 2020-21.
“MCP underground expansion project has achieved an important milestone i.e. completion of excavation of 1500 m long drive and connection of tunnel ends of north and south sections of the mine…” the company added.
