In a significant move aimed at boosting India’s domestic mineral production and securing critical raw materials for the nation’s industrial growth, Coal India Limited (CIL) and Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on the exploration, extraction, and processing of various minerals.
The agreement, signed today, marks a strategic partnership between two of India’s largest public sector enterprises in the mining sector. Under this MoU, the companies will jointly identify prospective mineral blocks, undertake exploration and mining activities, and share technical expertise to develop mineral assets, including copper and other essential metals.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, senior officials emphasized that the collaboration aligns with the Government of India’s vision of achieving self-reliance in critical minerals and reducing dependency on imports. With India’s demand for copper and other base metals steadily rising due to infrastructure development, renewable energy expansion, and electric vehicle manufacturing, this tie-up is expected to play a key role in securing long-term supply chains.
According to Coal India, this partnership will allow it to diversify beyond its core coal business, helping it tap into the growing non-coal minerals sector. For Hindustan Copper, the only vertically integrated copper producer in the country, the MoU opens up new avenues for resource development and technological collaboration.
Both companies plan to form joint working groups to evaluate suitable mineral blocks across different states, with an initial focus on copper reserves. Detailed project reports and feasibility studies will follow before the commencement of mining operations.
Industry experts believe this collaboration will not only help meet domestic demand but also generate employment opportunities and promote sustainable mining practices.
Stay tuned for further updates as Coal India and Hindustan Copper outline their roadmap for executing this landmark agreement in the coming months.
