Satish Chandra Dubey, Union Minister of State for Coal and Mines, inaugurated the resumption of operations at the Surda Copper Mine today, marking a significant step towards boosting the country’s copper self-reliance. The reopening of the mine is set to generate employment, uplift the local economy, and contribute approximately ₹100 crore in annual revenue.
Speaking at the event, Minister Dubey emphasized the importance of the Surda Mine operations in India’s broader vision of becoming self-reliant in copper production. He highlighted that Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) plans to increase the mine’s output capacity from 0.4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 0.9 mtpa over the next seven years.
The Minister also announced that the Jharkhand Cabinet has approved lease extensions for the Kendadih and Rakha mines, both of which are expected to reopen this year. The reopening of these mines will provide 2,000 direct and 10,000 indirect employment opportunities, significantly boosting the production capacity of the Indian Copper Complex.
Key Highlights:
- Employment Generation: The Surda Mine will directly employ around 1,100 workers and provide indirect jobs for an additional 5,000 people in the local community, according to Shri Ghanshyam Sharma, Chairman and Managing Director of HCL.
- CSR Initiatives: The increased mining activities will further support Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) and welfare programs in nearby villages, benefiting the surrounding communities.
- Capital Investment: HCL will invest ₹50 crore in the mining operations during the fiscal year 2024-25.
The inauguration ceremony saw the presence of several dignitaries, including Ramdas Soren, Minister of Water Resources, Higher Education, and Technical Education, Government of Jharkhand; Bidyut Varan Mahato, Member of Parliament from Jamshedpur; Vivek Kumar Bajpai, Joint Secretary, Ministry of Mines; and other senior officials from both the Central and State Governments.
