Hind Copper to invest Rs 533 cr in Khetri Copper Complex

Hindustan Copper (HCL) has decided to spend about Rs 533 crore for trebling production capacity at its Khetri Copper Complex (KCC) in next five years, Mines Minister Dinsha Patel said today.

"The company has taken steps to enhance ore production of KCC mines from current one million tonnes (MT) to 3.1 MT with modern equipment and technology in next five years at an estimated cost of Rs 533 crore," Patel said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

The production of HCC's Rajasthan-based KCC had come down to 0.98 MT in 2012-13 from 0.97 MT in 20010-11, but its cost of production was on the rise.

"The cost of production in KCC mine is the highest among all operating mines of the company. The cost of production got adversely impacted due to falling ore grade, low process recovery of KCC concentrator plant, increase in wage due to pay revision and increased input cost of power and fuel," Patel said.

HCL's mines and plants are spread across four operating units, one each in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Maharashtra.

The company is among the three major refined copper producers in the country, the other two being Hindalco Industries and Sterlite Industries,

HCL has 49,500 tonnes per annum refined copper production capacity. It is the only company mining copper ore in the country.