New Delhi: Hindustan Copper Ltd (HCL), India’s only vertically integrated copper producer, is likely to enter into a strategic Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with GAIL (India) Ltd to jointly explore and develop critical mineral resources within India and abroad.
According to official sources, the proposed MoU will bring together the mining expertise of HCL and the energy infrastructure acumen of GAIL, creating a powerful synergy for advancing India’s mineral security.
Focus on Strategic Minerals for Clean Energy Technologies
The agreement will focus on technical collaboration and joint exploration of prospective mineral blocks, including copper and other critical minerals, which are vital to India’s transition to clean energy technologies such as electric vehicles, solar panels, and grid-scale battery storage.
“This partnership aligns with India’s growing emphasis on self-reliance in critical minerals, which form the backbone of next-generation clean energy infrastructure,” an official said.
Part of a Broader Strategic Push
This initiative is part of a larger strategy by HCL to diversify and expand its global footprint. In recent months, HCL has signed a series of MoUs with key entities:
- Coal India Ltd – for joint exploration of mineral blocks
- RITES Ltd – for technical cooperation in mineral transport logistics
- CODELCO (Chile) – to explore global opportunities in copper mining and trade
These agreements reflect a PSU-level alliance model being encouraged by the government to tackle mineral scarcity and reduce import dependence.
Read Also: Hindustan Copper Ltd to Bid for Critical Minerals and Rare Earth Blocks with PSU Partners
Major Expansion Underway at HCL
Meanwhile, Hindustan Copper is implementing a ₹2,000 crore capacity expansion plan aimed at tripling its ore production from 4 million tonnes to 12.2 million tonnes by FY30. This ambitious plan is critical to meeting the rising domestic demand for copper in manufacturing, infrastructure, and clean energy sectors.
About Hindustan Copper Limited
Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) is a vertically integrated copper producer under the Ministry of Mines, Government of India. It is the only PSU in the country engaged in mining, beneficiation, smelting, refining, and casting of refined copper. HCL owns and operates mining assets across Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, and Maharashtra.
About GAIL
GAIL (India) Limited is an Indian state-owned energy corporation with primary interests in the trade, transmission and production distribution of natural gas. GAIL also has interests in the exploration and production solar and wind power, telecom and telemetry services (GAILTEL) and electricity generation.
