Malanjkhand is the biggest base metal (Copper) Open pit Mine in India located at a distance of 90 kilometers North-East of Balaghat In Madhya Pradesh, at an altitude of 576 MRL. It falls in the tahisil of Baihar, which is 22 Kms away from the project, on the way to the district town, Balaghat, Madhya Pradesh State, India.

Government sanction for the Project was obtained in June 1977 and stripping operation started in August 1979, after the first shovel was commissioned and haul roads and shovel faces constructed. The mine at full production capacity will remove 11.5 million tones of overburden and waste rock, to recover 2 million tones of chalcopyrite ore of average grade 1.2 cu per annum. A total of 22.6 Km of diamond drilling in 91 bore holes has been carried out till September 1978 to explore ore reserves upto a depth 376 MRL

HISTORY OF THE PROJECT

Ø First notice of old working: 1882 by Col. Bloomfield, Deputy commissioner, Balaghat, who brought this to the notice of the GSI.

Ø First examination of Copper occurrence: 1886 by William King of Geological Survey of India.

Ø First reported attempt to open the deposit: 1916 by Messrs Glow Stanley, who abandoned the efforts later.

Ø Second reported attempt to work the deposit: 1937 by Messrs Oke Brothers.

Ø Second thorough Examination of the occurrence: 1943 by S Krishnaswamy of GSI who cautioned that the deposit is a small one.

Ø First Geological survey & Exploratory drilling: 1963 – 64 & 1967 – 68 by M P State Directorate of Geology & Mining.

Ø Systematic scientific investigation through Geo – Chemical & Geo – Physical surveys & Large scale mapping & Exploratory Drilling: 1966 – 67 & 1969 – 1974. This exploration indicated promising and an economically viable deposit.

Ø Identification of Exploiting Agency by the Government: 1972 – Hindustan Copper Limited.

Ø Detailed Exploration Agency transferred to newly formed Corporation: 1973 – Mineral Exploration Corporation Limited.

Ø Detailed project report submitted to Government: December 1974

Ø Government Sanction of the Project obtained: June 1977

Ø Start of first stripping operation: August 1979

Ø Trial runs of concentrator plant commenced: May 1982

TOPOGRAPHY
General relief is flat and average ground elevation is 575 MRL. The deposit area is characterized by seven separated hillocks rising 50 – 70 M. The highest elevation is 652 MRL.