CURRENT AFFAIRS

Detailed explanation-1: -Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) inaugurated the nickel, copper and acid recovery plant yesterday at Indian Copper Complex, Ghatsila (Jharkhand). This is the first facility in India to produce nickel metal of LME grade from primary resource.

Detailed explanation-2: -The Ghatasila copper smelter (a part of the Indian Copper Complex) of the Hindustan Copper Limited is the first and the only unit in India to produce nickel of LME grade. Companies engaged in nickel production in India include Sterlite Industries Ltd (Thotukodi), Nicomet Industries (Goa) and Jhagadia Copper Ltd.

Detailed explanation-3: -Nickel is mainly found in Cuttack and Mayunrbhanj districts of Odisha. Some amount is also produced in Jharkhand, Nagaland and Karnataka. However, India has to import most of the nickel from abroad to fulfil its requirement.

Detailed explanation-4: -India’s first facility to produce nickel was launched by the Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) at its Indian Copper Complex (ICC) at Ghatshila in Jharkhand.

Detailed explanation-5: -HCL has plans to increase its mining capacity from its current level ore production to 12.2 million tonne per annum in Phase I in the next seven to eight years, the public sector unit said. The company further plans to increase its output to 20.2 MTPA after the completion of its first phase capacity expansion.