India’s HCL to Treble Copper Ore Output by 2031

Hindustan Copper

HCL Expands Copper Mining Capacity

Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL), India’s state-owned copper producer, has announced plans to triple its copper ore production capacity to 12.2mn t/yr by March 2031. The company will achieve this expansion through a combination of mine reopenings and expansions at existing sites.

In the fiscal year ending March 2024, HCL boosted output by 13% to 3.78mn tonnes compared with 3.35mn tonnes the year before. The firm expects to raise output to 4.35mn tonnes by fiscal 2025-26, adding around 2mn tonnes annually until its long-term target is met.

Strategic Investment to Meet Rising Demand

HCL has resumed operations at the Rakha mine in Jharkhand and plans to expand production at its Kendadih mine by 250,000 tonnes before December. To support these goals, the company will invest about 20bn rupees ($234mn) over the next 5–6 years.

This expansion aligns with India’s strategy to strengthen domestic copper production and reduce import reliance. Growing demand from infrastructure, renewable energy, electric vehicles, rural electrification, and urban housing projects will underpin copper consumption in the coming decade.

HCL remains India’s only fully integrated copper producer, operating across mining, ore processing, smelting, and refining under the ministry of mines. Its strategic role makes it critical in meeting India’s industrial and energy transition goals.

The Metalnomist Commentary

HCL’s aggressive expansion underscores India’s recognition of copper as a cornerstone of its energy and infrastructure growth. The plan reflects both a strategic hedge against import dependence and a long-term alignment with global copper demand trends driven by electrification. Investors will closely watch execution risks, particularly in financing and environmental compliance.