Archive · 9 Jun 2025
Vedanta Chief Warns of Copper Shortage, Backs Hindustan Copper Privatization
The world might not have enough copper in the future because so many things need it, like electric cars and renewable energy.
India depends a lot on buying copper from other countries.
The head of Vedanta wants the government to sell Hindustan Copper, a copper-making company, to private owners to help.
When a big copper factory in India closed, the country had to start buying copper instead of selling it.
This change made India more vulnerable to price changes.
Anil Agarwal of Vedanta warns of a 30% global copper supply shortfall by 2035.
The International Energy Agency (IEA) projects copper demand will outstrip supply.
India's import dependence on copper has increased significantly.
Agarwal supports privatizing Hindustan Copper to address import needs.
The closure of Vedanta's Sterlite Copper plant in 2018 caused India to shift from a copper exporter to an importer.
- Who
- Anil Agarwal (Vedanta), IEA, Hindustan Copper
- What
- Concerns about global copper supply and call for privatization of Hindustan Copper.
- When
- Projected by 2035
- Where
- India
- Why
- Due to projected copper shortfall and India's import dependence.
- Projected Copper Shortfall by 2035
- 30%
- China's Dominance in Mineral Refining
- 70%
- Sterlite Copper Plant Refining Capacity
- 400 kilotonnes
- Hindustan Copper Status
- Central public sector enterprise
- Hindustan Copper operations
- Mining, beneficiation, smelting, refining, and casting
