Hindustan Copper's Kendadih Copper Mine Restart and Indian Copper Complex Concentrator Plant Expansion Launched at Ghatsila, Jharkhand
Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) has formally launched the restart of the Kendadih copper mine and the expansion of the concentrator plant at its Indian Copper Complex (ICC) in Ghatsila, East Singhbhum, Jharkhand. Underground mining operations at the Kendadih mine commenced on January 15, 2026, after the mine remained dormant for several years. The mine holds reserves of approximately 12.85 million tonnes at 1.73 per cent copper grade and is expected to produce 0.22 MTPA initially, scaling up to 0.45 MTPA over time.
The Kendadih revival and the associated concentrator plant expansion are part of HCL's broader ₹2,700 crore investment programme across its Jharkhand operations, which also includes the reopening of the Rakha mine and the development of a new underground mine at Chapri. South West Mining Limited (SWML) has been appointed as Mine Developer and Operator for the Rakha-Chapri package, covering mine development and commissioning of a new 3 MTPA concentrator plant, under a 20-year MDO contract.
The Indian Copper Complex at Ghatsila is part of the Singhbhum Copper Belt in Jharkhand and houses a cluster of underground mines, concentrator plants, and a smelter. HCL's long-term capacity expansion plan targets an increase in ore production from the current approximately 4 MTPA to 12.2 MTPA by FY2031, with capacity milestones set progressively through to 6.21 MTPA by FY27 and 9.6 MTPA by FY29. The ICC expansion is one of several regional programmes contributing to this target alongside the Malanjkhand Copper Project in Madhya Pradesh and the Khetri Copper Complex in Rajasthan.