India’s mining sector has recorded significant growth in financial year 2024–25, achieving new highs in the production of key minerals and non-ferrous metals. According to provisional data from the Ministry of Mines, iron ore production reached 289 Mn metric tonnes (MMT), rising by 4.3 per cent from 277 MMT in the previous year. Iron ore alone contributes 70 per cent of the total mineral output regulated under the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR) by value.

Manganese ore output climbed 11.8 per cent to 3.8 MMT, while bauxite production rose 2.9 per cent to 24.7 MMT. Lead concentrate output increased by 3.1 per cent, reaching 393 thousand tonnes.

In the non-ferrous segment, primary aluminium production grew from 4.16 Mn tonnes to 4.2 Mn tonnes, setting a new record. Refined copper output posted a notable 12.6 per cent increase, rising from 509,000 tonnes to 573,000 tonnes in FY25.

India now ranks as the second-largest producer of aluminium, among the top ten in refined copper, and fourth in iron ore globally. This production surge indicates continued demand from steel, energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, and machinery sectors.

Source:PIB (Press Information Bureau)