India’s mineral and non-ferrous metal production is maintaining its upward trajectory in FY 2025–26, building on record-setting performance from the previous fiscal year. As per provisional data released by the Ministry of Mines, the country has witnessed consistent growth across several key commodities, reflecting robust demand from critical sectors like steel, energy, infrastructure and automotive.
Iron ore production, which constitutes 70 percent of the total MCDR (Mineral Conservation and Development Rules) mineral output by value, rose marginally by 0.6 percent to reach 53.0 million metric tonnes (MMT) during April–May 2025, compared to 52.7 MMT in the same period of FY 2024–25. Manganese ore saw a 1.4 percent increase, rising to 0.70 MMT from 0.69 MMT year-on-year. Bauxite production improved by 0.9 percent to reach 4.73 MMT.
Limestone output climbed to 81.40 MMT in April–May 2025, up 1.6 percent from the 80.10 MMT recorded in the corresponding period of the previous year. Zinc concentrate production grew by 3.7 percent to 0.28 MMT.
In terms of the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) for mining and quarrying in April 2025, several minerals registered sharper month-over-month growth: zinc concentrate grew by 5.8 percent to 0.14 MMT, bauxite surged by 13.6 percent to 2.13 MMT, and limestone output rose by 1.2 percent to 40.1 MMT.
In the non-ferrous segment, primary aluminium production reached 707,000 tonnes in April–May 2025, a 1.3 percent rise from 698,000 tonnes during the same period last year. Refined copper production recorded an even sharper increase of 43.5 percent, climbing from 69,000 tonnes to 99,000 tonnes.
India remains the world’s second-largest aluminium producer, third-largest iron ore producer, and among the top ten refined copper producers. The production upswing, particularly in iron ore, aluminium and copper, signals sustained economic activity and demand growth in downstream industries like steel manufacturing, energy, construction, and machinery—sectors central to India’s development trajectory.
