Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) inaugurated the nickel, copper and acid recovery plant at Indian Copper Complex, Ghatsila (Jharkhand). This is the first facility in India to produce nickel metal of LME grade from primary resource. The Singhbhum Copper Belt has unique ore characteristics which contains appreciable quantity of nickel. Hindustan Copper has installed and commissioned the technology to recover as nickel metal.

At present the capacity of the plant is 50 metric tonne (MT) per annum considering the current production rate from the Surda mines. The nickel output is expected to increase by eight times after the completion of mine expansion projects located at Ghatsila. The annual demand for pure nickel in India is around 45,000 MT and its market in the country is totally dependent on import.

Currently, copper is recovered from bleed electrolyte as liberator cathode having only 50-90 percent copper content, and liberator sludge with 50-60 percent copper content. Interestingly, the process consumes around 30 MT LME-A grade copper starter sheet per annum.

The proposed project will replace the age-old process of liberator cell operation with EMEW & APU technology in the refinery. “This project will utilise an eco-friendly technology and will check pollution, eliminate the use of lead, reduces liquid effluent, generates 75 percent less solid waste, utilise less energy, provide safe working environment and utilise and conserve natural resources.