Hindustan Copper (HCL) plans to build a new Rs 400-crore concentrator plant with a three million tonne per annum (MTPA) capacity at Malanjkhand in Madhya Pradesh over the next two to three years, as part of its strategy to triple ore production capacity to 12.2 MTPA by 2030-31.

Construction is expected to begin next year and will be funded through internal resources. The new facility will add to the existing 2.5 MTPA plant at the same site. State-run consultancy Mecon is preparing the tender and technical design. Concentrator plants are critical for separating valuable minerals from mined ore before further refining. HCL also intends to establish another three MTPA concentrator plant at the Rakha mine in Jharkhand, further enhancing its processing capacity.

Currently, HCL operates concentrator plants in Madhya Pradesh, Jharkhand, and Rajasthan. The company holds all the active copper ore mining leases in India and is aiming for significant growth.