Market Survey on Copper - Indian Bureau of Mines
Market Survey on Copper - Indian Bureau of Mines
Market Survey on Copper - Indian Bureau of Mines
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India’s trade with Australia is mainly in the form <strong>of</strong> copper c<strong>on</strong>centrates. Out<br />
<strong>of</strong> total imports <strong>of</strong> copper ores and c<strong>on</strong>centrates in India the share <strong>of</strong> Australia was<br />
22.52%. Hindalco Industries Ltd. and Vedanta Resources operates a number <strong>of</strong> mines<br />
in Australia and Tasmania and the c<strong>on</strong>centrates are imported for their smelters in<br />
India.<br />
Brazil<br />
Brazil’s copper ore producti<strong>on</strong> in terms <strong>of</strong> metal c<strong>on</strong>tent was increasing since<br />
2006 and reached a level <strong>of</strong> 222 thousand t<strong>on</strong>nes in 2008. In 2009 it showed a little<br />
decrease <strong>of</strong> 7% and was at 217 thousand t<strong>on</strong>nes. The major c<strong>on</strong>tributing company<br />
was Vale S A. The Vale S A has its mining operati<strong>on</strong>s at “Vale 118” and Sossego in<br />
Carajas, state <strong>of</strong> Para. The producti<strong>on</strong> from Sossego was 126 thousand t<strong>on</strong>nes in terms<br />
<strong>of</strong> copper c<strong>on</strong>tent. The other major producer was Mineracao Caraiba S A with 23<br />
thousand t<strong>on</strong>nes from its mine at Jaguarari in the State <strong>of</strong> Bahia.<br />
Cariba Metals SA(CMSA) was the <strong>on</strong>ly electrolytic copper producer in Brazil<br />
which produced 220 thousand t<strong>on</strong>nes <strong>of</strong> Primary copper in 2009 which decreased by<br />
12% in 2009 to reach 204 thousand t<strong>on</strong>nes. The annual demand <strong>of</strong> copper in the<br />
country was met with by imports <strong>of</strong> 217 thousand t<strong>on</strong>nes <strong>of</strong> copper <strong>of</strong> metal The<br />
major countries from which Brazil imported copper metal were Chile (75%) and Peru<br />
(25%).<br />
In 2008, the Vale SA has included three more mining projects <strong>of</strong> sulphide ores<br />
namely the Salobo, the Alemao and Cristalino deposits and <strong>on</strong>e oxidized ore deposit<br />
<strong>of</strong> project “Vale 118”. All these projects are located in the mineral province <strong>of</strong><br />
Carajas, State <strong>of</strong> Para. The Salova metals SA, a subsidiary company <strong>of</strong> Vale SA has<br />
plans to invest $ 1.2 billi<strong>on</strong> to produce 129 thousand tpy by 2011 and 254 thousand<br />
tpy <strong>of</strong> copper by 2013. Valle SA is also planning to produce 10,000 tpy <strong>of</strong> copper<br />
cathode from the project 118 at an estimated cost <strong>of</strong> $ 235 milli<strong>on</strong>. Vale SA’s another<br />
subsidiary Usina Hidrommetalurgica de Carajas SA (UHC) has plans to c<strong>on</strong>struct a<br />
semi-industrial scale copper processing plant with an estimated plan <strong>of</strong> $ 58 milli<strong>on</strong>.<br />
UHC would also produce copper c<strong>on</strong>centrate at its Sossego project using<br />
hydometallurgical technology based <strong>on</strong> pressure oxidati<strong>on</strong> followed by heap leaching,<br />
solvent extracti<strong>on</strong> and copper electrowinning.<br />
Feasibility study <strong>of</strong> Cristalino deposit for an estimated reserves <strong>of</strong> 312 milli<strong>on</strong><br />
t<strong>on</strong>nes <strong>of</strong> copper ore (grading 0.77% Cu) is expected to produce 90,000 tpy <strong>of</strong> copper<br />
c<strong>on</strong>centrates by the end <strong>of</strong> 2011.<br />
Vale SA is also c<strong>on</strong>ducting intensive prospecting to identify new copper areas<br />
in Carajas district. Mineracao Maraca S A completed a feasibility study for Chapada<br />
Cu-Au-Ag project in Alto Horz<strong>on</strong>te, in the State <strong>of</strong> Goias with estimated reserves <strong>of</strong><br />
434 milli<strong>on</strong> t<strong>on</strong>nes. The Chapada mine is projected to produce 51,000 tpy <strong>of</strong> copper<br />
c<strong>on</strong>centrate by 2012.<br />
Keeping in view the present scenario and future plans <strong>of</strong> Brazil’s copper<br />
industry, the country has a good future both in terms <strong>of</strong> producti<strong>on</strong> as well as trade.<br />
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