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INDIAN INDUSTRY DELEGATION FOR COPPER MINING IN ZAMBIA
Why in the News ?
- The Mines Ministry proposes sending a delegation to Zambia, comprising major companies like Vedanta, Hindustan Zinc, Ola Electric, and LOHUM.
- The second JWG meeting, under the 2019 MoU between Indian and Zambian Mines Ministries, is planned in Zambia.
Source : Maps of India
Source : Maps of IndiaAbout Copper Ore:
- Copper, a soft brown metal, is present in igneous and metamorphic rocks and is resistant to corrosion.
Source: IOP Science
Source: IOP Science- Primary copper ores include Chalcopyrite, copper sulfide, and basic carbonates.
- Copper ore is found in both ancient and younger rock formations, making mining an expensive and time-consuming process.
- India possesses low-grade copper ore (below 1% metal content) compared to the international average of 2.5%.
- Major copper deposits are in Singhbhum (Jharkhand), Balaghat (Madhya Pradesh), and Jhunjhunu/Alwar (Rajasthan).
- Madhya Pradesh dominates Indian copper production with a 53% share, followed by Rajasthan at 43%, and Jharkhand at 4%.
- Zambia holds approximately 6% of global copper reserves and ranked eighth in copper production in 2022.
