Copper’s Comeback: Kendadih Mines Reopen After 25-Year Sleep

The Kendadih copper mines in the Musabani block of Jharkhand’s East Singhbhum district have resumed operations after nearly 25 years, marking a significant milestone in the revival of India’s domestic copper mining industry and strengthening the country’s mineral resource base.

The reopening was formally inaugurated by Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines Satish Chandra Dubey at the Indian Copper Complex (ICC) of Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL). The event was attended by Jamshedpur MP Bidyut Baran Mahato, Ghatshila MLA Somesh Soren, HCL Chairman and Managing Director Sanjay Singh, ICC Executive Director Umesh Singh, and other senior officials and stakeholders.

Alongside the mine reopening, the minister also inaugurated an expansion project at the HCL-ICC concentrator plant, increasing its processing capacity from 0.4 million tonnes per annum (MTPA) to 0.9 MTPA. The capacity enhancement is expected to improve ore processing efficiency and support higher production levels from the company’s mining operations in the region.

The revival of the Kendadih mine is expected to play a key role in boosting domestic copper production at a time when demand for the metal is rising rapidly due to growth in electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, power infrastructure, and other strategic sectors. The development is also likely to accelerate plans for reopening other historic mining assets in the Singhbhum copper belt, including the Chapri and Rakha mines, further expanding the region’s contribution to India’s mineral output.

According to company officials, Hindustan Copper has set a target of producing 2.25 lakh tonnes of copper ore annually from the Kendadih mine. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to increase production at the Surda mines from the current 4 lakh tonnes to 9 lakh tonnes of copper ore per year. With copper emerging as a critical mineral for the energy transition and industrial growth, the renewed focus on the Singhbhum copper belt is expected to strengthen India’s self-reliance in mineral resources while supporting future economic and infrastructure development.

The reopening of Kendadih and the expansion of processing infrastructure underscore Hindustan Copper’s broader strategy to enhance mining capacity, improve operational efficiency, and meet the growing domestic demand for copper in the years ahead.

News by Rahul Yelligetti.