The Ministry of Mines in New Delhi has reported significant growth in key minerals production in India during the first quarter of FY 2024-25. Iron ore production has increased by 9.7 per cent to 79 million metric tons, while limestone production has grown by 1.8 per cent to 116 million metric tons. Additionally, manganese ore production saw an impressive rise of 11 per cent during the same period. These positive trends are indicative of a robust demand in key user industries such as steel and cement.
In the previous fiscal year, iron ore production reached 275 million metric tons and limestone production hit 450 million metric tons, accounting for approximately 80 per cent of the total mineral production in India by value. The non-ferrous metal sector also displayed positive trends, with primary aluminium production increasing by 1.2 per cent in the first quarter of FY 2024-25 compared to the previous year. India’s status as a leading producer of aluminium, limestone, and iron ore globally underscores its significant role in the global minerals market.
The sustained growth in mineral production in India reflects strong economic activity driven by demand in industries such as energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, and machinery. The increase in production levels across these sectors indicates a rising demand for raw materials in India’s industrial sectors, highlighting the country’s economic momentum. These growth trends are a positive sign for the overall economy and suggest continued expansion in key mineral sectors.
India’s position as the second-largest producer of aluminium, the third-largest producer of limestone, and the fourth-largest producer of iron ore globally further solidifies its stature in the minerals market. The ministry’s report underscores the importance of these minerals in driving economic growth and meeting the demand for raw materials in various industries. Overall, the strong performance of key minerals production in India in the first quarter of FY 2024-25 points towards a promising outlook for the country’s industrial and economic sectors.