India Exploring Overseas Copper Deposits to Secure Supply

India Exploring Overseas Copper Deposits to Secure Supply

India is actively seeking copper deposits abroad to ensure a steady supply of the metal. Recently, India secured a 9,000-square-kilometer block in Zambia for copper exploration, driven by the increasing demand for copper within the country.

Copper is listed as a critical mineral in India due to its importance as a major industrial metal, prized for its high ductility, malleability, excellent thermal and electrical conductivity, and resistance to corrosion. Copper is primarily sourced from natural ores, including copper sulfide ore (such as chalcopyrite) and copper oxide ore.

Why Is Copper Demand Rising?

• High Demand: Copper plays a crucial role in defense applications, infrastructure, and emerging technologies, and demand is expected to exceed supply from mines by 2035. Between FY19 and FY24, India’s copper concentrate imports doubled to Rs. 26,000 crore.

• Global Factors: Countries like China and the US are increasingly securing major copper mines in Africa and South America due to the metal’s critical importance.

• Low Domestic Production: India’s domestic production of copper dropped by 8%, falling to 3.78 million tonnes (mt) in 2023-24 compared to 2018-19 levels. Furthermore, the copper ore reserves in India (approximately 164 million tonnes) are mostly of low grade.

Distribution of Copper:

• Top 3 States in India (Reserves):

• Rajasthan: 52%
• Madhya Pradesh: 23%

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• Jharkhand: 15%

• Major Copper Mines in India:

  • Singhbhum Copper Belt (Bihar)
  • Khetri Copper Belt (Rajasthan)
  • Balaghat District (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Other areas: Darjeeling (West Bengal), Rungpo (Sikkim), Manipur, Chitaldrug district (Karnataka), etc.

• Top 3 Copper-Producing Countries (2024):

• Chile
• Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC)
• Peru

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