Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL) is implementing expansion projects to increase its mine production capacity from the current level to 12.2 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) by FY 2028-29. HCL Chairman and Managing Director Ghanshyam Sharma announced the plan at the AGM, highlighting that the company has access to around 55% of the copper ore reserves and resources in India. The expansion will help reduce India’s dependence on imports and boost domestic copper production. In FY 2022-23, HCL aims to increase its mining capacity to 12.2 MTPA in Phase-I within the next 6 to 7 years. The company has already achieved ore production of 33.47 lakh tonnes in FY 2022-23. HCL is also focusing on exploration and has significantly increased its budget for this purpose. The efforts have resulted in an increase in copper ore reserve and resources by 66.59 million tonnes. The expansion projects include augmenting the ore production capacity in Madhya Pradesh, increasing the capacity in Khetri and Kolihan mines in Rajasthan, and reopening the Surda Mine in Jharkhand. These projects will contribute to India’s goal of achieving self-sufficiency in copper production.