Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) is embarking on a major expansion of its flagship Malanjkhand Copper Project (MCP), with plans to nearly double ore production to 5.0 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by the financial year 2030-31. The move is part of the company’s long-term strategy to strengthen India’s domestic copper supply and reduce reliance on imports.

As per the internal roadmap, MCP has already achieved a production level of 2.725 MTPA in FY 2024-25. To reach the 5.0 MTPA target, HCL will scale up production gradually over the next six years, with projections of 2.75 MTPA in 2025-26, 2.85 MTPA in 2026-27, 3.0 MTPA in 2027-28, 3.3 MTPA in 2028-29, and 3.5 MTPA in 2029-30. The final jump to 5.0 MTPA is expected in 2030-31.

In an interaction with Zee Business, Nagesh Shenoy, Executive Director and Unit Head of the Malanjkhand Copper Project, said that by 2030, the project — Hindustan Copper’s flagship mining asset — aims to reach a production level of 5 million tonnes per year. He noted that the site also features a paste fill plant, the first of its kind in a public sector enterprise in India, which plays a crucial role in ensuring safe and sustainable underground mining operations.

Shenoy further highlighted that Malanjkhand has successfully transitioned from open cast to underground mining without any production loss — a rare and significant achievement in the mining industry.

This transition and the phased capacity expansion are supported by several major underground infrastructure developments currently underway. Once fully implemented, Malanjkhand will emerge as the country’s largest underground copper mine and a critical pillar in Hindustan Copper’s future growth strategy.