Hindustan Copper organizes a Global Seminar on Critical Minerals Security

India is taking critical steps to secure the supply of critical minerals that power our microchips, batteries, electric vehicles, clean energy, AI systems, semiconductors, and AI technologies. Nevertheless, these are typically locked up in rocks that need dedicated mineral processing for extraction. With its exclusive expertise in hard rock mining, Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) is one of the few companies ideally placed to make a foray in the critical mineral sector and provide valuable service to our nation. In line with this vision, HCL is looking beyond the frontiers. In tune, HCL organized an International Seminar on Critical and Strategic Minerals for Viksit Bharat @ 2047, in Kolkata on 9th November, 2025, to celebrate its 59th Foundation Day. The occasion was graced by the presence of a host of overseas dignitaries, diplomats, mining stalwarts, and delegates. G Kishan Reddy, Minister for Coal and Mines, Government of India, in his virtual keynote address, highlighted the urgency for mineral security for the nation and urged HCL to play an expressive role in this endeavor. Satish Chandra Dubey, Minister of State for Coal and Mines, Government of India, lauded HCL for organizing the international seminar, enriched with deliberations and technical papers from global specialists. The seminar will open up potential for collaboration between Indian mining players and their overseas counterparts. Sanjiv Kumar Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, HCL, said in his address that HCL has worked together with leading PSUs and Codelco, the state-owned world’s largest copper miner in Chile. Through Khanij Bidesh India Limited (KABIL), its JV with NALCO and MECL, HCL is also scouting for critical and strategic mineral assets abroad. As we move in the direction of a low-carbon future, the role of such minerals will become crucial, he added. Dr Sanjeev Kumar Sinha, Director Operations and Director Mining – Addl. Charge, HCL, in his welcome address, said that the seminar will offer a platform for sharing knowledge on innovative technologies that will contribute to securing the supply of critical and strategic minerals through sustainable means. This occasion was adorned by the presence of Sanoj Kumar Jha, IAS, Addl. Secy., Ministry of Coal, and CMD – Addl. Charge, Coal India Limited, Ujjwal Tah, Director General, DGMS, Mr Asit Saha, Director General, GSI, Pankaj Kulshrestha, Controller General (I/c), IBM, Brijendra Pratap Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, NALCO, Dr Ramanuj Narayanan, Director, CSIR-IMMT, Mr KOZLOV Maxim Victorovich, Consul General of the Russian Federation. They were hosted by Sanjiv Kumar Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, HCL, Dr Sanjeev Kumar Sinha, Director Operations, and Director Mining – Addl. Charge, HCL, R V N Vishweshwar, Director (Finance), HCL, Avinash Janardan Bhide, Independent Director, HCL, and Harsimran Singh, CVO, HCL. Ujjwal Tah, Director General, DGMS, said that it takes years to begin production from a new mine. Before closing down a mine with low yield, the views of mining engineers should also be taken into account instead of depending only on commercial considerations. Dr Ramanuj Narayanan, Director, CSIR-IMMT, said that, in India, we should emphasize secondary sources for critical minerals from secondary sources like railings, overburden, and also seriously reconsider waste material recycling. Pankaj Kulshrestha, Controller General (I/c), IBM, stated that HCL is one of the best placed companies to play a big role in the mission for securing critical Minerals. Asit Saha, Director General, GSI, said that the need of the hour for the country is to obtain expertise in extraction of critical minerals. 90% of the critical mineral processing capacity lies with China. Potentiality of a mine should be given a systematic relook before writing it off, he recommended. Brijendra Pratap Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, NALCO, is expanding mining capacity and also participating in projects overseas to secure through KABIL. On the occasion, HCL inaugurated its Corporate Flag and Corporate theme song. While the corporate flag stands as a symbol of HCL’s permanent commitment to responsible mining, sustainable growth, and national development, the song is a lyrical tribute to the metal, Copper, and its torchbearers. Committed to social inclusion and women’s empowerment, HCL commended Ms Tulsi Meena for her expedition to Mt. Everest, Ms Isha Besra for her remarkable achievement in archery, Ms Nazmin Budia in leading a Self Help Group (SHG) in making ecological jute bags and Ms Gyanvati Meravi and Ms Antan Uikey for making earthenware under its CSR initiatives. Under its CSR program, Arogyadayani (आरोग्यदायिनी) aimed at supporting underprivileged girls from a village close to HCL’s Mining Units, for a Degree or Diploma in Nursing, the Company awarded scholarships to Ms Mamta Munda and Ms Shilpa Mahato. The Chairman’s Trophy for Young Managers and Best Performer Awards for workmen were also given out through the event. As a part of HCL’s green initiative, an experimental run of the Electric Load Haul Dumper (LHD) at Malanjkhand Copper Project, the flagship mining unit of the Company, was inaugurated. The Electric LHD symbolizes the fusion of innovation and sustainability — in sync with HCL’s emphasis on eco-sensitive and advanced mining practices. The company has recently initiated several measures to enhance benefits and facilities for its employees and contractual workers. In his vote of thanks, R V N Vishweshwar, Director (Finance), HCL, opined that the learning from this seminar will lead for sustainable mining practices in our mission for critical minerals. Acknowledging the visionary guidance of the Ministry of Mines, Govt. of India, and the support of the State Government, R V N Vishweshwar, said that HCL is committed to sustainable mining in pursuit of Viksit Bharat @ 2047.