Market Survey on Copper - Indian Bureau of Mines

Chapter 7. Summary
Copper a Non-Ferrous Metal is of utmost importance to the industry since
ancient times. Copper was known to be used since the advent of human civilization
for making utensils, artifacts, tools as well as cannons and other warfare equipments.
Copper in association with zinc makes alloys namely brass and bronzes. Brass look
alike gold was sought by the nobles in ancient past and bronze was used to cast
statues and other articles as it bears the vagaries of atmosphere better than other
metals. Copper is an essential component of energy efficient electrical motors &
transformers.
The copper scenario in the country dates back to ancient times. The copper
metal forms the basis of electrical industry where it is used in the form of copper wire.
About 50% of Indian consumption of copper is attributed to electrical and electronic
industry.
The industries require metals in its purest form as per BIS specifications laid
down for various industries. India is endowed with the resources of these metals and
the production of ores, concentrates and metals is being done in varying proportions.
India is not self sufficient in the resources of copper ore. The occurrences of
copper ore have been reported from number of states but the resources are mainly
occurring in the states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand. These three
states are the only producer of copper ore in the country. However, the Birla copper
of Hindalco Industries Limited and Sterlite Industries Limited produces copper metal
from the imported concentrates in the States of Gujarat and Tamil Nadu, respectively.
There is a thriving industry of recycling of copper metal which is contributing to the
total refined production.
In the copper scenario, the average percentage of copper content in ore is very
low and in 2008-09 the average metal content in copper ore mined was 0.92% Cu.
India also imports sizeable quantities of copper concentrates to meet out the domestic
demand of copper smelters. The copper metal production from imported concentrates
is able to meet the ever increasing demand of industries as well as exports. The
production of copper cathodes has reached to 533 thousand tonnes in 2009-10 from a
level of 260 thousand tonnes in 2000-2001.
Worldwide, copper is being produced in a number of countries. In the case of
mine production of copper Chile is the leader but the copper metal production is
maximum in China.
There is a thriving trade of copper metal in various forms throughout the world.
Chile with exports of 3191 thousand tonnes was the largest exporter of refined copper
in 2009 contributing 37% in the total world’s export, while China was leading in total
world’s imports to a tune of 3185 thousand tonnes having a share of 40%.
India’s trade of copper is mainly focused on the imports of copper ore &
concentrates as two smelters of Sterlite Industries Ltd and Birla Copper are totally
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