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The Government has allocated Rs. 125 crore to the Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) a state run enterprise under the Ministry of Mines, in the Xth Plan for upgradation of equipment in the open cast copper mine at Malanjkhand and for procurement of new machinery and equipment in the two underground mines at Khetri Copper Complex in the State of Rajasthan. Khetri copper mine is proposed to be upgraded further by construction of an alternate ore pass and sinking of a production shaft after carrying out the necessary studies on techno-economic viability.
HCL, till 1997, was the only producer of primary refined copper with an installed capacity of 47,500 tonnes per year which met approximately 25 to 30 per cent of India's requirement. The balance demand was met through imports.
The other two primary producers of copper in India now, are M/s Birla Copper and M/s. Sterlite Industries. Their present annual capacities are 2,50,000 MT and 3,00,000 MT of refined copper respectively. The plants of M/s. Birla Copper and M/s. Sterlite are using imported copper concentrate. Another plant being installed by M/s. SWIL Ltd. with a capacity of 50,000 MT and will shortly produce refined copper through secondary route. Instead of being net importer of copper upto year 2002, India has started exporting copper.
DS/SCH
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