Indian Mineral Production records positive growth in April 2023

24 Jul 2023 CW Team

Based on the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM) data, the mineral production index for the mining and quarrying sector in April 2023 reached 122.5, indicating a noteworthy 5.1 per cent increase from April 2022. The cumulative growth from April 2022 to April 2023 compared to the previous year displayed a promising rise of 5.8 per cent.

In April 2023, coal production reached its peak at 73.1 million metric tonnes (MT), followed by lignite at 3.2 MT, and natural gas (utilised) at 2,671 million cubic meters.

Additionally, there were notable quantities of other minerals produced in April 2023. Crude petroleum accounted for 2.4 MT, iron ore saw 24.7 MT, limestone stood at 38.6 MT, and bauxite at 1.5 MT.

Some minerals exhibited impressive positive growth during this period. Phosphorite production experienced a significant increase of 29.1 per cent, reaching 162,000 tonnes. Magnesite followed suit with a growth rate of 27.7 per cent, totalling 10,000 tonnes, while iron ore saw a growth of 13.1 per cent.

Other minerals that displayed positive growth included limestone at 12.7 per cent, copper concentrate at 12 per cent (9,000 tonnes), lead concentrate at 10.6 per cent (29,000 tonnes), coal at 8.8 per cent, manganese ore at 6.9 per cent (265,000 tonnes), and zinc concentrate at 4.1 per cent (130,000 tonnes).

On the contrary, despite being among the highest producers, lignite experienced a decline of 21.2 per cent in April 2023. Chromite production also witnessed a significant drop of 40.1 per cent, amounting to 273,000 tonnes. Bauxite production declined by 24.7 per cent, and gold production was down by 8.1 per cent (102 kg).

Furthermore, crude petroleum production decreased by 3.6 per cent, and natural gas (utilised) went down by 2.8 per cent. Lastly, it's worth mentioning that there were also smaller quantities of lead concentrate at 29,000 tonnes and two carats of diamond produced during this period.

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..