India’s mining sector has witnessed unprecedented growth in the fiscal year 2024–25, with significant increases in the production of key minerals and metals. This surge underscores the country’s expanding industrial capabilities and its pivotal role in the global mineral market.
Iron Ore: Sustained Growth Amidst Rising Demand
Iron ore production, which constitutes approximately 70% of India’s total mineral output by value, reached 236 million metric tonnes (MMT) in FY 2024–25 (April–January), marking a 3.5% increase from 228 MMT during the same period in the previous fiscal year. This growth reflects robust demand from the steel industry, a primary consumer of iron ore.
Manganese, Chromite, and Bauxite: Notable Increases
The production of other essential minerals also saw significant upticks:
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Manganese Ore: Increased by 11.1% to 3.0 MMT in FY 2024–25 (April–January), up from 2.7 MMT in the same period of the previous year.
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Chromite: Rose by 8.7%, reaching 2.5 MMT from 2.3 MMT.
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Bauxite: Experienced a 5.6% growth, totaling 20.6 MMT compared to 19.5 MMT previously.
These increases are indicative of the growing demand in sectors such as energy, infrastructure, and construction.
Non-Ferrous Metals: Steady Upward Trajectory
In the non-ferrous metal sector, India maintained its strong performance:
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Primary Aluminium: Production grew by 1.2% to 35.10 lakh tonnes (LT) in FY 2024–25 (April–January), up from 34.67 LT in the corresponding period of the previous year.
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Refined Copper: Saw a significant increase of 7.4%, rising from 4.19 LT to 4.50 LT.
India continues to rank as the second-largest aluminium producer globally and remains among the top ten producers of refined copper.
Global Standing and Economic Implications
India’s consistent growth in mineral production solidifies its position as a key player in the global mining industry. The country’s status as the fourth-largest iron ore producer, second-largest aluminium producer, and a top-ten refined copper producer highlights its significant contributions to global mineral supply chains.
The upward trends in mineral output are closely linked to the expansion of critical sectors such as steel, energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, and machinery. This correlation underscores the integral role of mineral production in supporting India’s broader economic growth and industrial development.