The Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC), a government-owned entity, is allocating an investment of Rs 900 crore for the establishment of its inaugural underground copper mine in North Gujarat. Positioned in close proximity to the temple town of Ambaji and a sloth bear sanctuary, the proposed mine is slated to become operational within the next three years.
Roopwant Singh, the Managing Director of GMDC, underscored the distinctive nature of this endeavor, emphasizing that it will be the solitary copper mine to be established in the country in the foreseeable future. Boasting reserves exceeding 7 lakh tonnes, primarily composed of copper, zinc, and lead, the mine has also revealed the presence of gold and silver during initial explorations, showcasing the coexistence of these base metals in the deposits.
Considering the technical challenges posed by the proximity to Ambaji town and the Balaram Ambaji sanctuary, GMDC is gearing up for underground mining operations, a pioneering move for the company. Spanning 184 hectares and located approximately 3 km from Ambaji town, the proposed mine presents a new frontier for GMDC.
In addressing the intricacies associated with underground mining, GMDC intends to enlist the expertise of consultants from Australia and South Africa, renowned for their proficiency in developing such mines. The anticipated depth of the proposed underground copper mine is expected to parallel that of the Hindustan Zinc mines at Zarwar in Rajasthan.
The mining concentrate extracted, containing a mix of metals, will undergo separation at a concentrator plant situated in close proximity to the mine. Following this, the refined extracts will be supplied to entities in the smelter business.
Despite GMDC acquiring this asset in 1973 and initiating a pilot plant in the 1990s, it did not progress to commercial production. A recent geo-magnetic survey conducted by GMDC unveiled a copper concentration exceeding 11.5% of the total ore near Ambaji. The company intends to undertake 15 comprehensive studies, including a rock mechanic study and extensive exploration covering 1,400 hectares of the adjacent area, to identify additional base metal reserves in the region.