India unveils aluminium, copper vision documents

India’s aluminium vision document, outlining a roadmap to scale aluminium production six fold by 2047. was unveiled at an international conference in Hyderabad on Friday (July 4, 2025). Also, the country’s copper vision document — that anticipates a six-fold increase in demand by 2047 and calls for addition of 5 million tonnes smelting and refining capacity by 2030 — was unveiled.

They were aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047 and lays the foundation for a globally competitive and environmentally responsible aluminium industry and a sustainable, resilient and future-ready copper ecosystem for the country, Union Coal and Mines Minister G. Kishan Reddy — who launched the documents at the conference organised by the Indian National Committee of the World Mining Congress — said in a release.

The aluminium vision document aims to expand bauxite production capacity to 150 MTPA; double the national aluminium recycling rate; promote the adoption of low-carbon technologies and strengthen raw material security through targeted policy reforms and institutional mechanisms. The launch reflects the government’s commitment to building a self-reliant and resource-secure India. The Minister also highlighted aluminium sector’s strategic role in enabling clean energy systems, electric mobility, and modern infrastructure. The vision document is the outcome of extensive consultations with industry stakeholders.

Likewise, the copper vision document has been readied after wide-ranging consultations with key stakeholders. The vision document provides a long-term strategy to meet growing domestic demand while ensuring raw material security, the Minister said, emphasising copper’s vital contribution to India’s energy transition, infrastructure growth, and green technologies such as electric vehicles and solar power.

The copper vision document anticipates a six fold increase in demand by 2047 and outlines plans to add 5 million tonnes per annum of smelting and refining capacity by 2030. It focuses on scaling up secondary refining, enhancing domestic recycling, and reducing dependence on open-market imports by securing overseas mineral assets through global partnerships, Ministry of Mines said in release.

Ramp up output from 4.5 MTPA to 37 MTPA

Aluminium producer Vedanta, in a release, said it welcomes the aluminium vision document as it is a pivotal step in charting the sector’s future and outlines a growth roadmap to transform India into a global aluminium hub. Aluminium will be critical in driving the country’s journey towards becoming the third largest economy and a developed nation by 2047. Aluminium demand in India will rise sixfold by 2047 and to meet this demand, India must ramp up production from current 4.5 million tonnes per annum to nearly 37 MTPA over the next two decades, which will need an additional investment of over ₹20 lakh crore.

“The vision document reaffirms aluminium is the metal of the future, vital for India’s energy independence, net-zero ambitions, and global competitiveness. To make this vision a reality requires support in the form of swift, decisive policy reforms. The moment to act is now,” CEO Rajiv Kumar said.

According to the vision document, while India is the world’s second largest producer of aluminium, it accounts for just 6% of global production pointing to a massive untapped potential. To meet future demand and reduce import dependency, it is imperative to increase bauxite production to 50 MTPA by 2030 and 150 MTPA by 2047, promote circularity through structured scrap collection and recycling, increase consumption intensity and enhance focus on quality in entire production value chain.

The strategic pillars outlined in the document such as becoming Aatmanirbhar in aluminium production, achieving self-sufficiency in raw materials, transitioning to low-carbon operations and enhancing value-added exports together offer a roadmap to not just meet domestic demand but also claim a 10% share of the global aluminium market by 2047, the company said.