Copper is a vital metal that plays a critical role in sectors that drive India’s economy, from power generation and transmission to transportation, construction to electronics. It is a metal with unique properties — durable, malleable, and corrosion-resistant, and a metal with very high demand. In fact, the demand for copper will rise exponentially as it is considered a critical mineral by several countries due to its extensive usage in energy transition technologies, like electric vehicles, solar panels and other “green” technologies. It is playing a vital role to achieve GOI target to Net Zero Carbon Emission by 2070. Further, the CO2 emission from copper industries are bare minimum when compared to other metal production as per MoEF document on green house gas emission inventory.

Greenhouse gas emissions by sources and removal by sinks from India (thousand tons)

Additionally, modern copper smelting plants are subject to strict environmental regulations and undergo regular real-time monitoring to ensure that they are operating within acceptable limits, Continuous Ambient Air Quality Monitoring Station (CAAQMS) and Continuous Emission Monitoring System (CEMS) are installed and they are connected to Server of SPCB and CPCB. The copper plants also ensure monthly groundwater sampling and analysis by the respective Pollution Control Boards. As copper smelter can be monitored in real time basis for any potential violation of norms, and huge penalties and environmental compensation (EC) can be imposed under NGT Act, closure of any modern copper smelter just hurts the economy and national interest.

The fact is that modern copper smelting plants have made significant strides in mitigating their environmental impact through the use of state-of-the-art technology. These technologies have enabled plants to minimize air, water, and land pollution, making the copper smelting industry more sustainable and environmentally friendly.

Copper as green metal is playing a crucial role in decarbonisation of the world and India’s copper demand is set to double by 2030. Over the last five years, following the closure of the Tuticorin smelter India has become a net importer of copper.

The world and India strongly believe that sustainability should be at the core of all business so that we can grow rapidly towards prosperity while preserving the planet for future generations. It is our civilisational ethos to ensure the best outcomes for all and we should ensure that no plant that follows the best technological processes and environmental management system that benefits the people and the Nation is ever closed.

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Views expressed above are the author's own.

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