**Executive Summary**
This document is the response to Unstarred Question No. 1728 in Lok Sabha, answered on December 10, 2025, regarding domestic copper ore production in India. It provides data on copper ore production over the last five years, reasons for production decline, and steps taken to boost production and improve extraction efficiency. A key deadline noted is the restart of production in April, 2025 at Kolihan Mines.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Domestic Copper Ore Production (2020-2025):**
* 2020-21: 3.27 Million Tonnes
* 2021-22: 3.57 Million Tonnes
* 2022-23: 3.35 Million Tonnes
* 2023-24: 3.78 Million Tonnes
* 2024-25: 3.47 Million Tonnes
* **Reasons for Decline in Copper Ore Production (Compared to 2018-19):**
* COVID-19 pandemic severely affected ore production during 2019-20 and 2020-21.
* Delays in obtaining statutory clearances for re-opening mines in Jharkhand (Surda, Rakha, Kendadih).
* Transition from Open Cast to Underground mines at Malanjkhand Mines in Madhya Pradesh during 2022-23.
* Ore Production stopped in Kolihan Mines in Rajasthan due to major breakdown of winder in May, 2024; production restarted in April, 2025.
* **Steps to Boost Domestic Copper Production and Improve Extraction/Processing:**
* Expansion projects by Hindustan Copper Limited to increase production capacity from 4.4 to 12.2 million Tonnes per annum.
* Introduction of Exploration Licence (EL) regime.
* Promoting exploration by Notified Private Exploration Agencies with funding from National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust.
* Auction of 7 copper blocks (4 in Maharashtra, 2 in Rajasthan, 1 in Madhya Pradesh).
* Adoption of state-of-the-art 'Paste Fill' technology.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: Ministry of Mines and Coal**
* **Impact:** Responsible for addressing the decline in domestic copper production and implementing measures to increase production and efficiency.
* **Action Required:** Continue to monitor the progress of expansion projects, exploration activities, and technology adoption.
**Stakeholder: Hindustan Copper Limited**
* **Impact:** Directly involved in the expansion of copper ore production capacity.
* **Action Required:** Execute expansion projects to meet the target of 12.2 million tonnes per annum.
**Stakeholder: Mining Companies**
* **Impact:** Affected by regulatory clearances, transitions in mining methods, and technological advancements.
* **Action Required:** Adhere to regulations, adapt to new mining methods, and adopt new technologies to improve safety and production.
**Stakeholder: Private Exploration Agencies**
* **Impact:** Opportunity to participate in exploration activities with funding from the National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust.
* **Action Required:** Engage in exploration projects, leveraging available funding to discover and develop new copper resources.
**Stakeholder: States with Copper Blocks (Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh)**
* **Impact:** Benefit from the auction of copper blocks and increased mining activity.
* **Action Required:** Facilitate the auction process and support the development of auctioned copper blocks.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Mines: The primary government body responsible for policies and regulations related to mining, including copper ore production.
Hindustan Copper Limited: A major public sector undertaking involved in copper ore production, undertaking expansion projects to increase production capacity.
National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust: Funding source for promoting exploration of copper and other minerals.
Exploration Licence (EL): A regulatory regime introduced to permit reconnaissance and prospecting operations for critical minerals like copper.
Maharashtra: One of the states with significant copper block auctions.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF MINES
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1728
ANSWERED ON 10.12.2025
DOMESTIC COPPER ORE PRODUCTION
1728 SHRI ANTO ANTONY:
Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:
(a) the total domestic copper ore production in the country during each of the last
five years;
(b) whether there has been any decline in copper ore production in major mining
states since 2018-19 and if so, the details thereof along with the names of States
mostly affected;
(c) the key reasons behind the decline in domestic copper ore production during
the said period;
(d) the details of the steps taken up by the Government to boost domestic copper
production and reduce the country’s dependence on copper imports; and
(e) the details of technological advancements adopted or promoted to improve the
efficiency of copper ore extraction and processing in the country?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF MINES AND COAL
(SHRI G KISHAN REDDY)
(a) Total domestic copper ore production in the country during last 5 years:
Year 2020-21 2021-22 2022-23 2023-24 2024-25
Ore Production 3.27 3.57 3.35 3.78 3.47
(Million Tonnes)
(b) & (c) In comparison to year 2018-19, there has been a decline in copper ore
production due to following reasons:
Ore production severely affected by Covid-19 pandemic during the years 2019-
20 and 2020-21. Delays in obtaining statutory clearances for re-opening of Surda, Rakha and
Kendadih Mines in Jharkhand.
Malanjkhand Mines in Madhya Pradesh was under transition from Open Cast
to Underground mines during 2022-23.
Ore Production stopped in Kolihan Mines in Rajasthan due to major breakdown
of winder in May, 2024. The production has restarted in April, 2025.
(d) & (e) Following steps have been taken to boost domestic copper production and
improve copper ore extraction and processing:
Various expansion projects of Hindustan Copper Limited, taken up to enhance
copper ore production capacity from 4.4 million Tonnes to 12.2 million Tonnes
per annum.
Introduction of Exploration Licence (EL) regime permitting reconnaissance and
prospecting operations for critical and deep-seated minerals, including copper.
Promoting exploration by Notified Private Exploration Agencies with funding
from National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust.
Auction of 7 copper blocks - 4 in Maharashtra, 2 in Rajasthan and 1 in Madhya
Pradesh.
Adoption of State of art ‘Paste Fill’ technology to increase safety and production
of copper ore.
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