India's steel-to-power conglomerate JSW Group will invest 26 billion rupees ($301.2 million) to set up operations at two copper mines, the company said on Monday, foraying into mining non-ferrous metals as steel prices fall.

JSW Group has a won a bid to secure two copper mining blocks in the eastern Indian state of Jharkhand from state-owned Hindustan Copper Ltd., expanding its business into mining of non-ferrous metals.

JSW Group secured the contract via a competitive bidding process for a 20-year term, with the possibility of a ten-year extension.

JSW Group announced on Monday (27 January) that it will invest Rs 2,600 crore to develop and operate two copper mines and establish a copper concentrator plant in Jharkhand. This move marks the group’s entry into the copper business, reflecting its ongoing commitment to diversification and growth, reported The Economic Times.

India's steel-to-power conglomerate JSW Group will invest 26 billion rupees ($301.2 million) to set up operations at two copper mines, the company said on Monday, foraying into mining non-ferrous metals as steel prices fall.

The group has won two blocks of copper mines in the eastern mineral-rich state of Jharkhand from Hindustan Copper.