The copper journey

Follow copper from ore in the ground to wire, tube and strip, into the products that power India, and back again through recycling.

1MiningOre from the ground 2ConcentrationCrushing, grinding and flotation 3SmeltingMatte and blister copper 4RefiningAnodes to 99.99% cathode 5Copper productsRod, wire, tube, strip and alloys 6ApplicationsPowering modern India 7RecyclingClosing the loop
Stage 1 of 7

Mining

Copper is mined from sulphide and oxide ore bodies in open-pit and underground mines. Indian ore typically carries around one per cent copper or less, so very large volumes of rock are moved for each tonne of metal.

Key technologies

  • Exploration, drilling and resource modelling
  • Open-pit and underground mining methods
  • Haulage, ventilation and mine safety

Industry examples

  • Copper belts in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand
  • India imports most of its copper concentrate

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