MPPSC 2021 Prelims Q25: Hindustan Copper Ltd.'s copper project is in which town of

Q: What is the answer to MPPSC 2021 Prelims Q25?

D. Correct — D, Malanjkhand. Malanjkhand, in Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh, hosts the Malanjkhand Copper Project run by Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) — one of India's largest open-pit copper mines — which is why the town is known as the state's 'Copper City'.

MPPSC 2021 Prelims Paper-I · Question 25 of 100

Verified against the official question paper. Answer as per the official MPPSC answer key.

Hindustan Copper Ltd.'s copper project is in which town of Madhya Pradesh, which is also known as the 'Copper City'?

(a)Jagandheri
(b)Chakharia
(c)Imaliya
(d)Malanjkhand

Answer

Why

Correct — D, Malanjkhand. Malanjkhand, in Balaghat district, Madhya Pradesh, hosts the Malanjkhand Copper Project run by Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) — one of India's largest open-pit copper mines — which is why the town is known as the state's 'Copper City'.

Why the others are wrong

(a)Jagandheri — Not a recognised Madhya Pradesh mining town associated with this Hindustan Copper Limited project.
(b)Chakharia — Not a recognised Madhya Pradesh mining town associated with this Hindustan Copper Limited project.
(c)Imaliya — Not a recognised Madhya Pradesh mining town associated with this Hindustan Copper Limited project.

Concept

Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), a central PSU under the Ministry of Mines, is India's only vertically integrated copper producer, running mines and smelters at several sites across the country. Its Malanjkhand Copper Project, in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh, taps one of the country's largest single copper-ore deposits via open-pit mining, earning the town the nickname 'Copper City'.

MPPSC likes pairing MP's mineral-rich districts with the specific mineral/company/project sited there — Balaghat district is also separately famous for manganese, so the exam can test either mineral for the same district.

Key facts

Malanjkhand (Balaghat district, MP) hosts the Malanjkhand Copper Project.
The project is run by Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL), a central PSU under the Ministry of Mines.
It is one of India's largest open-pit copper mines.
Balaghat district is separately also known for manganese deposits.

Study next

Hindustan Copper Limited and India's copper mining geographyBalaghat district's mineral profile: copper and manganeseMajor PSU mining companies (HCL, MOIL, NMDC)Open-pit vs underground miningMineral belts of Madhya Pradesh

Common traps

Confusing Balaghat's copper identity (Malanjkhand) with its manganese identity — the district is known for both
Mixing up Malanjkhand with unrelated distractor town names

MPPSC frequently pairs an MP district/town with the specific PSU/mineral project located there — a direct location-matching format.

Related PYQs

UPSC_2007_GS1_Q782007Open & attempt →

Consider the following statements : 1. Balaghat is known for its diamond mines. 2. Majhgawan is known for its manganese deposits. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only
(b) 2 only
(c) Both 1 and 2
(d) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer(d) Neither 1 nor 2 — Balaghat (where Malanjkhand lies) is actually known for manganese and copper, not diamonds; Majhgawan (Panna) is known for diamonds, not manganese.

Direct UPSC 2007 hit confirming Balaghat district's real mineral identity (manganese and copper, not diamonds) — the same district that hosts Malanjkhand.

Practice

practice — not a real PYQ
Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) functions under which central ministry?
- (a)Ministry of Mines
- (b)Ministry of Steel
- (c)Ministry of Heavy Industries
- (d)Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas
Answer(a) Ministry of Mines.
practice — not a real PYQ
Besides copper, Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh is also well known for which mineral?
- (a)Manganese
- (b)Bauxite
- (c)Mica
- (d)Gold
Answer(a) Manganese.