Hindustan Copper Eyes Major Overseas Expansion in Chile
The PSU to accelerate mine revival and capacity growth in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand and Sikkim
In a major step towards expanding its global footprint, Hindustan Copper Limited has been offered five copper blocks by Chile’s state-owned mining giant CODELCO, according to sources. A technical team from Hindustan Copper has already inspected the mines, and a formal agreement between the two companies is expected to be signed within the next six months.
Sources said Hindustan Copper may acquire four of the five copper blocks offered by CODELCO, marking the company’s first major overseas mining asset acquisition and significantly strengthening its international presence.
The proposed acquisition builds on the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Hindustan Copper and CODELCO in June 2025 for technology exchange, knowledge transfer and technical cooperation. The partnership is now expected to move into the next phase with the acquisition of mining assets.
Ambitious Plan to Triple Ore Production Capacity
Hindustan Copper has set an ambitious target of increasing its ore production capacity from the current 4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 12.2 MTPA over the next five years.
The planned production is expected to come from:
- 2.9 MTPA from Rajasthan operations
- 5 MTPA from the Malanjkhand mine in Madhya Pradesh
- 4.3 MTPA from new and expansion projects
This expansion is aimed at meeting India’s growing demand for copper, particularly in renewable energy, electric vehicles, defence and power infrastructure.
Revival of Closed Mines in Jharkhand
To boost domestic production, Hindustan Copper is also reviving several closed copper mines in Jharkhand.
- Rakha Mine is currently under the revival phase.
- Kendadih Mine has already resumed operations.
- The company is preparing to restart three more mines in the state.
According to sources, the company’s top management is in regular discussions with the Jharkhand government to expedite approvals and operational clearances.
Sikkim Emerges as a New Growth Area
Hindustan Copper is also planning to expand its presence in Sikkim.
The Dikchu Copper Deposit is currently under revival and exploration, while significant copper deposits have also been identified in the Rangpo–Bhotang and Pachikhani Belt areas, where mining activities have remained suspended for several years.
Sources said a Hindustan Copper team is presently in Sikkim, and senior company officials have already met the Chief Minister to discuss the revival plans. The copper ore available in these deposits is believed to be of high grade.
Centre Facilitating State-Level Coordination
Sources further indicated that Union Minister for Coal and Mines G. Kishan Reddy has held discussions with the Chief Ministers of Jharkhand and Sikkim to facilitate the revival of these projects.
The company expects mining operations in these locations to commence within the next 8–10 months, subject to necessary approvals.
Expansion Beyond India
Apart from its domestic expansion plans, Hindustan Copper is also pursuing:
- Acquisition of overseas copper assets
- Expansion projects in Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand
- A new copper mining project in Chhattisgarh
- A production target of 0.5 MTPA from Sikkim mines
- Studies on extracting uranium and other critical minerals from overburden (OB) material
These initiatives are expected to significantly strengthen Hindustan Copper’s long-term resource base and position the company as a key player in securing India’s critical mineral and copper requirements.
