Hindustan Copper Ltd is planning to invest Rs 3,435 crore to execute eight mining projects across the country over the next five years,a top company official said here today. "The company plans to invest Rs 3,435 crore in eight mining projects across the country to expand the mining capacity in next five years," Hindustan Copper Chairman and Managing Director Shakeel Ahmed said. He said work on two projects - Banwas and Khetri has already commenced and tender for Kolihan mine's expansion is under process. "The proposed expansion of Khetri and Kolihan mines and development of Banwas deposit will increase ore production from 1 million tonne to 3.1 million tonne per annum at an estimated cost of around Rs 538 crore," he told reporters. Ahmed added that due to certain reasons smelting plant of Khetri was shut down temporarily in 2008 and the decision to reopen it has not been taken so far because it is not viable financially. He also said that the company is planning to collaborate with the state government for mining leases in other parts of the state. For exploration and exploitation of deposits that contain copper and gold minerals in Afghanistan,he said the company in consortium with SAIL,NALCO and MECL will take part in the Expression of Interest issued by the Afghanistan government.
