Sterlite closure hits copper production, imports up 221% in June quarter

From net exporter, India becomes importer of Copper

Domestic refined copper production fell 47.1 per cent in quarter ending June (Q1FY19), leading to an increase in price and fall in exports. Though the fall in production was mainly due to the closure of Vedanta's smelter plant at Thoothukudi, the shutdown of smelters of Hindustan Copper (HCL) and Hindalco for maintenance purposes also had an impact. 

Tuticorin plant has a capacity of 400,000 tonnes per annum, accounting for 40% of the country’s copper smelting capacity. The facility was shutdown after violent protests from locals.

According to Care Ratings, the production drop has had a domino effect, leading to a