MoUs, Mines And A Restart: Hindustan Copper Lines Up Lohum Partnership, Engineers India Tie-Up And Exploration Thrust

Nikunj Parikh - Mumbai Bureau May 29, 2026 1,850 Views

Hindustan Copper has cleared a multi-pronged expansion push, from restarting its Gujarat Copper Plant via a revenue-sharing model with Lohum Materials to signing a broad service MoU with Engineers India. The board has also opened the door to fresh copper exploration across key mineral-rich states to secure long-term resource access.

At its May 29 board meeting, Hindustan Copper set out an aggressive roadmap to revive idle capacity, deepen technical partnerships and scout new copper deposits. The moves align with India’s push for mineral security, electric mobility supply chains and sustainable metals production.

Operational Revival And Partnerships

The company approved awarding a 20-year contract, extendable by five years, to Lohum Materials for restarting operations at the Gujarat Copper Plant under a revenue-sharing model. This framework is designed to monetise existing assets while leveraging Lohum’s capabilities in materials and circular-economy-linked metal recovery.

Engineering, R&D And Academia Links

Hindustan Copper will sign an MoU with Engineers India Limited for pre-project and exploration services, engineering, design, metallurgy, safety and sustainability studies, enhancing project preparation and execution quality. It has also cleared a general agreement with CSIR-NML Jamshedpur for R&D at its Indian Copper Complex, and an MoU with Central University of South Bihar to collaborate across CSR, mineral exploration, environment, water, agriculture and livelihood projects.

Future-Facing Exploration Thrust

The board discussed exploring and potentially exploiting copper blocks in Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, West Bengal and Sikkim, signalling a pipeline of upstream opportunities to back India’s energy transition and industrial demand.

Strategic Copper Roadmap Highlights

Long-term revenue-sharing contract with Lohum Materials for Gujarat Copper Plant
Planned MoU with Engineers India for technical, engineering and sustainability services
General R&D agreement with CSIR-NML for Indian Copper Complex
Industry-academia MoU with Central University of South Bihar for CSR, exploration and sustainability
Exploration plans for copper blocks across five mineral-rich states