Hindustan Copper is in the process of appointing a consultant to facilitate environment clearance for reopening one of its closed mines in Jharkhand, as part of its mega expansion programme to almost quadruple its production capacity to 12.41 million tonne by 2016-17.
"Bids are invited from consulting firms for conducting environmental studies for environment clearance for renewal of Kendadih mining lease in district Singhbhum East, Jharkhand," the company said on its website today.
The state-owned firm plans to revive Kendadih mine, which is spread across 1,140 hectares and reserves of 17.84 million tonne copper ore by 2013.
The lease for mines was granted to Hindustan Copper in June, 1973. However, mining operations were suspended in early 2000 due to extraordinary low London Metal Exchange (LME) prices prevailing at that time. Currently, the mine is waterlogged.
The BSE-listed firm while inviting tenders for environmental impact assessment and environmental management plan from consultants has also said that the selected firm will have to defend the report before Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) and Jharkhand State Pollution Control Board (JSPCB) for obtaining green clearance for the mines.
The environment clearance, the copper miner said, should be obtained from MoEF within a year "from the date of issue of the work order or Letter of Intent (LoI) whichever is earlier."
The company has prepared an expansion plan to expand capacity from 3.21 million tonne to 12.41 million tonne at an estimated cost of Rs 3,677 crore by 2016-17.
HCL plans to spend Rs 297 crore this fiscal through internal sources for part-funding expansion of the Khetri, Kolihan, Banwas and Singhbhum mines and reopening of the Rakha and Kenadadih mines.
As per official documents, the company plans to spend Rs 87 crore for enhancing the capacity of the Kendadih mines to 0.21 million tonne per annum.