Gandhinagar: Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation (GMDC) Ltd. today announced the commencement of the Ambaji Copper Project.

Currently, India imports 90% of the total copper used in the country. With this integrated mining and beneficiation setup at the Ambaji Copper Project, the nation is expected to see large-scale output and long-term resource stability.

Strategically located in Gujarat’s mineral-rich belt, the project integrates exploration, mining, and beneficiation in a single, state-of-the-art facility. Spread across 185 hectares, the project holds rich deposits of copper, lead, and zinc. According to GMDC, the project contains an estimated 10 million tonnes of copper, zinc, and lead deposits, with a total asset valuation of ₹22,000 crore, of which copper alone accounts for ₹18,000 crore. Considering the copper value, this project is considered among the top 10 assets in the world. A total of 24,000 meters of drilling is planned across the 185-hectare project area, of which 9,300 meters have already been completed. Notably, the Indian Bureau of Mines has recently approved the Mining Plan for the Ambaji Copper Project. This will also be Gujarat’s first underground mining project, creating over 2,200 direct and indirect employment opportunities.

As demand for copper grows rapidly with the rise of electric vehicles and renewable energy, Ambaji alone has the potential to meet almost one-fifth of India’s copper concentrate requirement. It will be the only multi-metal mine to come up in the country in the next decade, an official statement said.

Copper, a cornerstone of modern infrastructure, powers everything from homes and highways to electric vehicles, power grids, and renewable energy systems. With growing demand across mobility, infrastructure, consumer appliances, and agriculture, the Ambaji Copper Project is set to ensure a sustainable and secure domestic supply—fortifying India’s industrial growth and strengthening national self-reliance. Beyond industrial output, Ambaji is expected to become a catalyst for regional development. It will also drive infrastructure upgrades, including roads, housing, and civic amenities—fostering inclusive growth in the region.

As per the official release, India’s refined copper production reached 5.73 lakh tonnes in FY 2024–25, marking a 12.5% year-on-year increase, driven by robust domestic demand. Sectoral consumption is led by mobility (34%), followed by infrastructure (14%), industrial applications (14%), consumer appliances (13%), building and construction (11%), and agriculture (6%).

This initiative will play an important role in ensuring India’s self-reliance in copper, which will be highlighted at the Vibrant Gujarat Regional Conference for North Gujarat, scheduled on 9–10 October in Mehsana. The event will include seminars and networking opportunities. Additionally, on 9th October, GMDC will conduct a seminar on critical minerals. DeshGujarat