Prospecting licence was approved by the Ministry of Mines in favour of M/s. Phelps Dodge of the U.S., one of the largest global players in copper exploration, mining and processing, for copper and associated minerals in Bihar over an area of 2,472 sq. km.With the grant of prospecting licence yesterday, the U.S.-based company would start aerial prospecting in the country. This is the first project of M/s. Phelps Dodge in India.