Jharkhand may allow ex-workers to mine copper

The Jharkhand government has told trade unions that it would permit workers' cooperative societies to restart mining activities at the Chapri and Siddeshwari mines of Indian Copper Complex (ICC), a subsidiary of Hindustan Copper Complex (HCL) in Ghatsila, Jharkhand.

The copper mines were closed by ICC as they were unviable. Jharkhand chief minister Arjun Munda reportedly told the unions that Siddeshwari and Chapri mines were yet to be properly tapped and had deposits of copper which could be exploited by cooperative societies formed by ICC's former employees.

ICC would not restart mining in the region and has closed down its six copper mines at Rakha, Maubhandar, Siddeshwari, Chapri, Musaboni and Badia after giving employees VRS.

Munda also assured unions that he would take up the overhauling the ICC smelter at Musaboni, at which work began four months ago but has since been stopped.