India Mines Its Way to the Top: Iron, Bauxite, Aluminium, and Copper Hit New Highs

India's mining and metals industry has registered all-time high growth in fiscal year 2024-25, as per the Ministry of Mines. The nation's production of the major minerals and metals has increased significantly, reflecting strong industrial demand and sustained buoyancy in core industries.

 

Iron Ore: Production jumped to 289 million metric tons (MMT) in FY 2024-25, from 277 MMT in FY 2023-24, a new all-time high for the sector. Iron ore continues to be the pillar of India's mineral production, with almost 70% of the value of major minerals produced in the country.

 

Bauxite: Production increased by 2.9%, to 24.7 MMT in FY 2024-25 from 24 MMT in the last fiscal year. The increase reflects India's position as one of the world leaders in the global aluminium value chain.

 

Primary Aluminium: Production was at 42 lakh tons (LT) in FY 2024-25, higher than 41.6 LT in FY 2023-24. India continues to be the world's second-largest aluminium producer, supported by key domestic producers.

 

Refined Copper: The nation posted a strong 12.6% hike in refined copper output, going up from 5.09 LT in FY 2023-24 to 5.73 LT in FY 2024-25. This enhances India's ranking as one of the world's top 10 copper producers.

 

The Ministry has credited these gains to unabated demand from consumer industries like steel, infrastructure, construction, autos, and energy. The robust performance in mining and metals is used as a barometer of India's overall economic momentum and industrial development.

 

Further increase in production of iron ore in the ongoing financial year indicates strong demand conditions in the user industry i.e. steel. Complemented by aluminium and copper growth, these trends indicate further sustained strong economic activity in user sectors like energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive and machinery."

 

Ministry of Mines, Government of India

 

India's mining sector remains a key pillar of the country's economic journey, driving job generation and downstream industrial growth.

 

Sources: PIB: Record Production in Mining in FY 2024-25; PIB: Mineral and non-ferrous metal production on growth track in FY 2024-25