Following healthy production levels in the previous financial year (FY25), India has continued to witness strong growth in the production of several key minerals during the current fiscal year, the Ministry of Mines reported.

Bauxite production rose from 1.87 million metric tonnes (MMT) in April 2024 to 2.13 MMT in April 2025, marking a growth of 13.9 per cent. Limestone output also increased, albeit more modestly, from 39.58 MMT to 40.5 MMT over the same period, up 1.2 per cent.

Lead and zinc ore production grew from 1.24 MMT to 1.27 MMT, representing a 2.4 per cent rise. Zinc concentrate production increased by 7.7 per cent to 0.14 MMT in April 2025.

In the non-ferrous metals sector, primary aluminium production expanded by 1.5 per cent year-on-year in FY26, rising from 342,000 tonnes in April FY25 to 347,000 tonnes in April FY26. Refined copper production experienced a stronger increase of 15.6 per cent, growing from 45,000 tonnes to 52,000 tonnes in the same comparative period.

The Ministry highlighted India’s position as the world’s second-largest aluminium producer and among the top ten refined copper producers globally. The continued growth in aluminium and copper production reflects sustained economic activity across key sectors such as energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, and machinery.

The index of mineral production for the mining and quarrying sector stood at 156.8 in March 2025, up 0.4 per cent compared to March 2024.