Copper Ore And Copper Concentrates in India
Production of primary copper based on indigenous ore is characterised by high energy consumption because of low-scale operation and minimal automation. The low-grade quality of Indian copper ores and nature of ore bodies (narrow width and flatter inclinations), do not make large-scale mechanisation in underground mines a viable proposition.
Hindalco (unit of Birla Copper) and Sterlite Industries (India) Ltd, the major copper producers in the Private Sector rely on imported copper concentrates. These companies own copper mines in other countries as well. Another Private Sector company, Jhagadia Copper Ltd, also produces copper based on secondary route,pulverizer for copper ore in india(pulverizer for copper ore in india).
The domestic production of copper ore as well as concentrates in 2009-10 decreased by 7% and 9%, respectively, over the previous year. There was also a decrease of 39% in the production of copper (blister) and 1% in the production of continuous cast wire rods (CCWR). However, production of copper cathodes increased by 4% during the same period.
The total resources of copper ore as on 1.4.2005 as per UNFC system are estimated at 1.39 billion tonnes. Of these, 369.49 million tonnes (26.5%) fall under 'reserves' (proved and probable categories) while the balance 1.02 billion tonnes (73.5%) are 'remaining resources' (under feasibility, pre-feasibility, measured, indicated and inferred categories). Of the total ore resources, 28.03 million tonnes (2.0%) comprise ore containing 1.85% Cu or more and 622 million tonnes (44.61%) of 1% to below 1.85% Cu grade. With regard to reserves, about 7.3 million tonnes (2%) and 346.7 million tonnes (93.8%) relate to above 1.85% Cu grade and 1% to below 1.85% Cu grade, respectively.
The total copper metal content in the resources is 11.4 million tonnes of which 4.38 million tonnes constitute reserves. Largest resources of copper ore to a tune of 668.5 million tonnes (47.9%) are in the state of Rajasthan followed by Madhya Pradesh with 404.3 million tonnes (29%) and Jharkhand with 226.08 million tonnes (16.2%). Copper resources in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Odisha, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Uttarakhand and West Bengal accounted for about 7% of the total all India resources,cheap ball mills for sale india(cheap ball mills for sale india) .
GSI, MECL, DMG Rajasthan, DGM Nagaland & Madhya Pradesh were engaged in the exploration of base metals in 2009-10. DMG Rajasthan carried out exploration in the districts of Ajmer, Bhilwara, Jhunjhunu, Pali, Rajsamand, Sikar,Sirohi and Udaipur. DGM Nagaland carried out exploration in Phek district. MECL carried out exploration in the Ajmer and Chittorgarh districts of Rajasthan. GSI carried out exploration in the states of Gujarat, Haryana, Maharashtra, Meghalaya and Rajasthan. Details of exploration activities conducted for copper in 2009-10 are given in Table-2.
Copper Ore and Concentrates,the production of copper ore at 3.23 million tonnes in 2009-10 decreased by 7% from that in the previous year due to poor availability of exposed ore benches and increase in cost of input and wages,india supply copper ore concentrate(india supply copper ore concentrate).
The metal content in the ore produced in 2009-10 works out to 30,802 tonnes as against 29,101 tonnes in 2008-09. During the year under review, 3.26 million tonnes of ore was treated for obtaining copper concentrates as against 3.64 million tonnes in 2008-09.
Production of copper concentrates(Stone grinding machine manufacturer) at 124,471 tonnes in 2009-10 decreased by about 9% as compared to that in the previous year. Madhya Pradesh was the leading producer of copper concentrates, accounting for about 52% of the production during 2009-10, followed by Rajasthan with 37% and Jharkhand with 11% production. The number of reporting mines was 4 in both the years (Tables - 3 to 7).