India is taking significant strides to secure the supply of critical minerals essential for the nation’s technology-driven future — powering microchips, electric vehicles, batteries, clean energy systems, AI, and semiconductors.
These minerals, often embedded deep in hard rock formations, require advanced mineral processing and extraction expertise. With its decades of experience in hard rock mining, Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) is emerging as a key player capable of contributing meaningfully to this national mission.
In line with this vision, HCL is expanding its horizons beyond traditional copper mining and making a strategic foray into the critical and strategic minerals sector.
International Seminar on “Critical and Strategic Minerals for Viksit Bharat @ 2047”
To mark its 59th Foundation Day, HCL organized an International Seminar on Critical and Strategic Minerals for Viksit Bharat @ 2047 in Kolkata on November 9, 2025.
The seminar brought together global experts, diplomats, mining stalwarts, and foreign dignitaries to deliberate on sustainable solutions, emerging technologies, and opportunities for global collaboration in mineral security.
Ministerial Leaders Emphasize Mineral Security
Delivering his keynote address virtually, Mr. G. Kishan Reddy, Union Minister for Coal and Mines, underscored the urgency of ensuring mineral security to sustain India’s growth trajectory and called upon HCL to play a pivotal role in advancing this national goal.
Mr. Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines, lauded HCL’s initiative in convening an event of such international importance, highlighting how technical papers and expert deliberations presented at the seminar would open avenues for collaboration between Indian and global mining players.
HCL Strengthens Global Collaborations
In his address, Mr. Sanjiv Kumar Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, HCL, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to aligning with India’s low-carbon and technology-driven future.
He announced that HCL has collaborated with several leading PSUs and Codelco, the world’s largest state-owned copper mining company in Chile, to advance knowledge-sharing and joint exploration.
He further noted that through Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL) — a joint venture between HCL, NALCO, and MECL — the company is scouting for critical and strategic mineral assets overseas.
“As we move towards a low-carbon future, the role of critical minerals will become indispensable,” Mr. Singh emphasized.
Knowledge Sharing for Sustainable Mining
Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Sinha, Director (Operations) and Director (Mining) – Addl. Charge, HCL, in his welcome address, stated that the seminar provides a knowledge-sharing platform focused on innovative and sustainable technologies to strengthen India’s supply of critical and strategic minerals.
He noted that the discussions would drive forward both domestic capacity and international partnerships in the minerals domain.
Distinguished Dignitaries in Attendance
The seminar witnessed the participation of several prominent officials and experts, including:
- Sanoj Kumar Jha, IAS, Additional Secretary, Ministry of Coal, and CMD (Addl. Charge), Coal India Limited
- Ujjwal Tah, Director General, DGMS
- Asit Saha, Director General, GSI
- Pankaj Kulshrestha, Controller General (I/c), IBM
- Brijendra Pratap Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, NALCO
- Dr. Ramanuj Narayanan, Director, CSIR-IMMT
KOZLOV Maxim Victorovich, Consul General of the Russian Federation
They were hosted by HCL’s leadership team, including Mr. Sanjiv Kumar Singh, CMD; Dr. Sanjeev Kumar Sinha, Director (Operations & Mining); R.V.N. Vishweshwar, Director (Finance); Avinash Janardan Bhide, Independent Director; and Harsimran Singh, Chief Vigilance Officer.
A Vision for Viksit Bharat 2047
The seminar underlined India’s growing commitment to ensuring mineral self-reliance — a critical pillar in achieving the nation’s vision of Viksit Bharat @ 2047. HCL’s leadership reaffirmed that the company will continue to innovate, collaborate globally, and invest in research and technology to secure the minerals that will power India’s next era of industrial and digital transformation.
About Hindustan Copper Limited
Hindustan Copper Limited is a Miniratna public sector company under the Ministry of Mines. It is India’s only vertically integrated copper producer, involved in mining, beneficiation, smelting, and refining of copper. HCL plays a key role in supporting India’s non-ferrous metal supply chain and is now focusing on expanding its presence in critical mineral development.
Read also: Hindustan Copper Reports Record FY25 Performance at 58th AGM, Proposes 29.2% Dividend
