India releases strategy to scale copper and aluminium

Union Minister for Coal and Mines Shri G. Kishan Reddy has released two key strategy documents—the Copper Vision Document and the Aluminium Vision Document.

Both aim to secure raw materials and support India’s long-term growth in energy, transport, and infrastructure. The announcement was made at the International Conference on Sustainable and Responsible Mining in Hyderabad.

The Copper Vision Document projects a six-fold rise in demand by 2047. It sets a target of adding 5 million tonnes per annum of refining capacity by 2030. The focus is on recycling, secondary refining, and acquiring copper assets abroad to cut import dependence.

The document was shaped with inputs from Hindustan Copper, Hindalco, Vedanta, Kutch Copper, Indo-Asia Copper, Lohum, and industry bodies like the Indian Primary Copper Producers Association and International Copper Association.

The Aluminium Vision Document proposes a six-fold production growth by 2047. Key goals include ramping up bauxite mining to 150 MTPA, doubling the recycling rate, and pushing low-carbon technologies.

It was developed in consultation with NALCO, Hindalco, Vedanta, JNARDDC, the Aluminium Association of India, ASMA, and MRAI.