JSW Group plans to establish a copper smelter in Odisha with a 5,00,000 tonne capacity by 2028, utilising copper concentrate from Peru and Chile. This is part of its broader strategy to enter the copper business, following a Rs 2,600 crore (USD 301 million) investment in copper mining operations in collaboration with Hindustan Copper.

By 2033/34, the company intends to increase its smelter capacity to one million tonne, with a total investment of Rs 12,000 crore.

The company’s copper smelting facility will also support its electric vehicle and battery production units. India, which relies heavily on copper imports, faces a shortfall in domestic production, with refined copper output around 5,55,000 tonne, while consumption exceeds 750,000 tonne.

The government has recognized copper as a critical mineral for its green energy transition, expecting a significant rise in demand by 2030 due to electric vehicles and renewable energy initiatives.