Hindustan Copper to invest Rs. 2,000 Cr. over 5-6 Years to Triple Mining Capacity
Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) will be investing Rs. 2,000 crore over the next 5-6 years for expanding its Copper mining capacity to 12.2 Million Metric Tonne Per Annum (MMTPA). As of FY25, the company’s Copper mining capacity sits at 3.47 MMTPA.
The company targets its Copper mining capacity to reach 4.35 MMTPA during FY26, 6.21 MMTPA in FY27, 8.24 MMTPA in FY28, 9.6 MMTPA during FY29, and eventually 12.2 MMTPA by FY31.
Expansion Strategy to Achieve 12.2 MMTPA Mining Capacity
The company’s plan to achieve the total mining capacity of 12.2 MMTPA involves expansion at its major operational sites, primarily Malanjkhand Copper Project in Madhya Pradesh, Khetri Copper Complex in Rajasthan, and Indian Copper Complex in Jharkhand.
Major CapEx Allocation for Malanjkhand Copper Project Expansion
Hindustan Copper will invest the largest portion of the aforementioned capital expenditure in its Malanjkhand Copper Project. Mr. Sanjiv Kumar Singh, Chairman and Managing Director of HCL, said “…with the majority directed towards the Malanjkhand Copper Project (MCP), which will see an investment of around ₹1,400-1,500 crore. The remaining will be allocated to projects at Khetri and the Indian Copper Complex”.
According to the company, the Malanjkhand expansion includes the development of an underground Copper mine, installation and commissioning of a paste-fill plant, and the establishment of a new ore concentrator plant.
During the company’s 57th Annual General Meeting (AGM), which was held in September 2024, HCL’s then CMD, Mr. Ghanshyam Sharma had said that the capacity of Malanjkhand mine will be doubled to 5 MMTPA from 2.5 MMTPA. This expansion involves the development of a new underground mine below the existing open cast mine at Malanjkhand.
Expansion Plans at Khetri and Indian Copper Complexes
Hindustan Copper’s expansion at the Khetri Copper Complex in Rajasthan involves increasing mining capacity as well as the capacity of the associated concentrator plant. In Jharkhand, at the Indian Copper Complex, the company is re-opening the Rakha Mine and has appointed a Mine Developer and Operator (MDO) for this initiative. The company will also expand the capacity of its concentrator plant at this site.
However, the company has not specified the exact portion of its investment for Khetri Copper complex and Indian Copper complex. However, it can be deduced that a total of Rs. 500-600 crore will be invested to expand operations at Khetri and Indian Copper Complexes.
HCL Adding Copper Reserves, Tech. Sharing with Chile’s CODELCO
In the last two years, Hindustan Copper has discovered over 123 MMTPA of Copper ore deposits through exploration. The company plans to keep adding to its Copper reserves in India as well as overseas, and is actively participating in mineral block auctions for this purpose. Additionally, it is working with Chile’s CODELCO, which is a global Copper major, to share technology and expertise in Copper mining and ore processing.
About Hindustan Copper Limited: Hindustan Copper Limited, a central public sector undertaking under the ownership of the Ministry of Mines, Government of India, was founded on 9th November 1967. The company is headquartered in Kolkata and has 1,264 employees as of 1st May 2025. HCL reported a revenue of Rs. 2,070.96 crore and a Profit After Tax (PAT) of Rs. 468.53 crore in FY25.
