Recently, India secured a 9,000-sq-km block in Zambia to explore copper amidst a rising demand of metal in country.
- Listed as critical mineral in India, copper is a major industrial metal because of its high ductility, malleability, thermal and electrical conductivity and resistance to corrosion.
- Natural ores of copper are Copper sulfide ore (such as chalcopyrite) and copper oxide ore.
Why is Copper demand rising?
- High Demand: Due to vital role in defense applications, infrastructure, and emerging technologies demand is projected to outstrip supply from mines by 2035.
- Between FY19 & FY24, copper concentrate imports doubled to Rs 26,000 cr in India.
- Global Factors: Both China and US are increasingly securing major mines in Africa and South America due to its criticality.
- Low Domestic Production:
- At 3.78 million tonnes (mt) in 2023-24, it has come down by 8% than in 2018-19.
- Copper ore reserves in India (Around 164 Mt) are mostly of low grade.
Distribution of Copper
- Top 3 States in India (Reserves): Rajasthan (52%), Madhya Pradesh (23%) and Jharkhand (15%)
- Major mines in India: Singhbhum Copper Belt (Bihar), Khetri Copper Belt (Rajasthan), Balaghat District (MP), etc.
- Other areas: Darjeeling of West Bengal, Rungpo in Sikkim, Manipur, Chitaldrug district of Karnataka, etc.
- Major mines in India: Singhbhum Copper Belt (Bihar), Khetri Copper Belt (Rajasthan), Balaghat District (MP), etc.
- Top 3 Countries (Producers): Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and Peru in 2024.
