INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
India is racing to lock in long-term copper and rare earth supplies as its factories, power grids, and electric vehicle industry outgrow
domestic production.Official Indian government data shows the country already imports more than 90% of its copper concentrate
That number is expected to rise to 97% by 2047 if no major changes happen
Sterlite copper smelter, once a key source of refined copper
Since then, domestic production fell to about 573,000 metric tons per year.Meanwhile, demand now exceeds 1.8 million metric tons annually
and is projected to almost double by 2030
India currently imports over 1.2 million metric tons of copper each year.To avoid deeper dependence on volatile global markets, India is
These countries control nearly a quarter of global copper reserves.India Seeks Long-Term Critical Mineral Partnerships with Chile and Peru
demand for electric vehicles, renewable energy systems, and electronics soars, copper is becoming more strategic
Short supply or higher prices would stall industrial growth at home.India has also started working on new plans to reduce its reliance on
giants like Adani and JSW plan to open new smelting plants to expand local supply
mineral dependence is now an economic and strategic issue
Without secure supplies of copper and rare earths, the country risks falling behind in energy, technology, and heavy industry.The
What India secures now could shape its industrial future for decades.
