Copper output rises 1.1% in FY13

Union mines Minister Dinsha Patel said in Rajya Sabha that the output of copper rose 1.1 per cent to 6.92 lakh tonne in 2012-13 from 6.84 lakh tonne copper a year ago.

In 2010-11, India produced 6.64 lakh tonne of copperThe country imports copper ore concentrate to meet the domestic demand and its refining capacity is more than domestic consumption requirements.

The minister denied any instance of holding stocks of copper for speculative sale.

Meanwhile, the minister informed that the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has 12,369 employees and it was taking action to fill up the vacancies in a phased manner which is to be completed by 2018.