MoS visits Eastern Coalfields Limited (See 'Corp Brief') Department of School Education Secretary launches Bharatiya Bhasha Summer Camp in New Delhi (See 'Corp Brief') IndiaAI Mission and NHA felicitate Winners of AB PM-JAY Auto-Adjudication Hackathon (See 'Corp Brief') Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express Services serve around 45,000 Pax in first 10 Days of its Run (See 'Corp Brief') National Conference held on nationwide EV Charging Infrastructure under E-DRIVE Scheme (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Computer-related invention which merely uses algorithm to colour-code message recipients based on message address characteristics, does not become patentable: HC (See 'Legal Desk') NHAI successfully defends arbitration claims in Panipat–Jalandhar Highway Disputes (See 'Corp Brief') Kumaraswamy announces Rs 123 Crore EV Charging Boost for Karnataka (See 'Corp Brief') Pradhan addresses Bharat Innovates 2026 High-level Diplomatic Conclave (See 'Corp Brief') AIIMS New Delhi has always been more than a hospital - a brand in itself: Nadda (See 'Corp Brief') Misc - If Union of India claims title over land on basis of old government grant and subsequent constitutional vesting, it must prove that title in fact remained vested in Government: HC (See 'Legal Desk') CCI approves acquisition of Kenvue Inc. by Kimberly-Clark (See 'Corp Brief') CCI approves Adani Power to buy stake of GVK Energy (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - If transaction was builder-linked contractual arrangement rather than pure financial debt default, Section 7 IBC proceedings cannot be used in parallel with DRT recovery proceedings: SC (See 'Legal Desk') CCI approves acquisition of stake in Llyods Engineering by Thriveni Earthmovers (See 'Corp Brief') CCI approves acquisition by CPPIB India in Ctrl S Datacenters (See 'Corp Brief') Govt pushes India Post toward Corporate-Style Efficiency (See 'Corp Brief') IPR - Use of house mark does not by itself obviate infringement or passing off: HC (See 'Legal Desk') Present petro conservation intended towards long-run capacity building: RM (See 'Corp Brief') Atal Innovation Mission hosts AIM Sumvaad- Central India to strengthen regional incubators (See 'Corp Brief') FERA - Foreign judgment is unenforceable in India as it fell within exceptions u/s 13 CPC: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Forum of Regulators celebrates 21 Years of strengthening India's Power Sector (See 'Corp Brief') A&C - Once seat of arbitration is expressly designated by agreement of parties, that seat becomes juridical home of arbitration and operates akin to exclusive jurisdiction clause: SC (See 'Legal Desk') Supreme Court lays down scenarios for lifting of Doctrine of Corporate Veil (See 'CORP EINSICHTf') Fisheries Secy visits ornamental fish brood bank in Maharashtra (See 'Corp Brief') Company Law - For purpose of maintainability of petitions u/s 397 & 398, expression ‘member' is not to be confined only to formal entry in register of members u/s 41(2): SC (See 'Legal Desk') Over 3,500 Participants compete in AB PM-JAY Hackathon (See 'Corp Brief') Scindia, Fadnavis inaugurate renovated Andheri RS Post Office as Future-Ready Service Hub (See 'Corp Brief') IBC - While subsidiary companies are separate legal entities, corporate veil may be lifted if associated companies are inextricably connected so as to form one concern: SC (See 'Legal Desk')

Copper Quality Control Order: A step towards Atma Nirbharta

Published: Dec 07, 2024

By TIOLCorplaws News Service

NEW DELHI, DEC 07, 2024: TO strengthen the quality control eco-system for non-ferrous metals sector (including Copper) in the country, the Ministry of Mines notified the Copper (Quality Control) Order on 31 st August, 2023, along with Quality Control Orders (QCOs) for Aluminium and Aluminium Alloys and Nickel. Initially the QCOs including Copper QCO were to come into force after three months from the date of its notification i.e. 30.11.2023.

Thereafter, basis the requests received from industry stakeholders including user sector industry and taking into account the supply situation, this order was extended vide notification dated 3 rd November, 2023 by six months (i.e.1.6.2024) and subsequently, by another six months vide notification dated 3 rd May, 2024 i.e. 1.12.2024. The Ministry has held several interactions with concerned stakeholders on regular basis through series of meeting(s) with industry bodies and user sector industries during the month of October, 2023; January, 2024; May, 2024; September, 2024; and October, 2024. Secretary (Mines) held a meeting with DG BIS on 17.1.2024 in which besides BIS & Ministry officials, industry representatives also attended. Thus, a sufficient period of 15 months, from 31 st August, 2023, onwards was allowed to the domestic and foreign suppliers of Copper cathodes to obtain the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) certification.

In FY 2023-24, India imported about 363 Thousand Tonnes (THT) of refined copper cathode (HS Code: 740311), valued at Rs. 24,552 crore. Japan accounts for about 2/3 rd (67%) of the refined copper imports. In quantity terms, about 69% of India's refined copper imports come from Japan. Tanzania is India's second important source of refined copper, contributing about 18% of the imports; followed by Mozambique with a share of about 5%.

M/s Adani's Kutch Copper Refinery has since come into production. However, as per company officials, ramp-up to full capacity will require some more time (about Feb-March 2025). Once achieved, India will be self-sufficient in refined copper, and will not have to rely on imports. Till that time, some amount of import of refined copper will take place.

As of now, 7 applications from Japanese smelters have been received for BIS certification, of which one smelter (Sumitomo Metal Mining Co. Ltd.) has already been granted license. As per information received from BIS, two more licenses will be granted by next week.

Presently, four domestic suppliers namely, Adani's Kutch Copper Ltd, Hindalco Industries Ltd, Gujarat Victory Forgings Pvt Ltd & Vedanta Ltd and four foreign suppliers, one each from Japan and Austria, and two from Malaysia have been certified by BIS to supply copper cathode to Indian market. Thus, with 4 domestic BIS certified suppliers & 4 foreign BIS certified suppliers and another two certifications by mid of Dec, 2024, no serious supply side constraint is envisaged.

TIOL CORP SEARCH

TIOL GROUP WEBSITES