**Summary:**
The Ministry of Mines reports continued growth in mineral and non-ferrous metal production for the fiscal year 2025-26, building upon record production levels achieved in FY 2024-25. Iron ore, which constitutes 70% of total MCDR mineral production by value, saw production increase to 53.0 million metric tonnes (MMT) in April-May 2025-26, a 0.6% increase from 52.7 MMT during the same period in FY 2024-25.
Other minerals exhibiting production growth in April-May 2025-26 include:
* Manganese ore: increased by 1.4% to 0.70 MMT (from 0.69 MMT in FY 2024-25)
* Bauxite: increased by 0.9% to 4.73 MMT (from 4.69 MMT in FY 2024-25)
* Zinc Concentrate: increased by 3.7% to 0.28 MMT (from 0.27 MMT in FY 2024-25)
* Limestone: increased by 1.6% to 81.40 MMT (from 80.10 MMT in FY 2024-25)
Analysis of the Index of Industrial Production for mining and quarrying in April 2025 compared to April 2024 reveals notable increases in:
* Zinc concentrate: up 5.8% to 0.14 MMT
* Limestone: up 1.2% to 40.1 MMT
* Bauxite: up 13.6% to 2.13 MMT
In the non-ferrous metal sector, primary aluminum production in April-May 2025-26 grew by 1.3% to 7.07 lakh tonnes (LT), from 6.98 LT in the corresponding period of FY 2024-25. Refined copper production experienced a substantial increase of 43.5%, rising from 0.69 LT to 0.99 LT during the same timeframe.
India holds significant global positions in mineral production, ranking as the 2nd largest aluminum producer, among the top 10 refined copper producers, and the 3rd largest iron ore producer worldwide.
The Ministry attributes the continued growth in iron ore production to robust demand from the steel industry. Furthermore, the combined growth in aluminum and copper production suggests strong economic activity in key user sectors, including energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive, and machinery.
This information was released by PIB Delhi on July 1, 2025, at 3:10 PM, Release ID: 2141133, Shuhaib T.
Key Entities Referenced
Bauxite: A mineral ore and the primary source of aluminum.
Ministry of Mines: The Indian government ministry responsible for the administration and regulation of mines and minerals.
Mineral and Non-Ferrous Metal Production: Refers to the overall output and manufacturing of both minerals and non-ferrous metals within the country.
FY 202526: Fiscal year 2025-2026, the period for which the production data is being reported.
Iron ore: A key mineral used in steel production, with India being a major producer.
MCDR: Abbreviation for a set of rules governing mineral production.
Zinc Concentrate: A concentrated form of zinc ore, a key mineral in various industrial applications.
Limestone: A sedimentary rock composed mainly of calcium carbonate, used in construction and various industrial processes.
Ministry of Mines
Mineral and Non-Ferrous Metal Production on
Growth Track in FY 2025-26
Robust Growth in Production of Key Minerals and
Non-Ferrous Metals
Posted On: 01 JUL 2025 3:10PM by PIB Delhi
Production of some key minerals in the country continue to witness growth during FY 2025-26, after reaching
record production levels in FY 2024-25. Iron ore accounts for 70% of the total MCDR mineral production by
value. Production of iron ore was 289 million metric tonne (MMT) in FY 2024-25. As per provisional data,
production of iron ore has increased from 52.7 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April- May) to 53.0 MMT in FY 2025-
26 (April- May), showing a 0.6% growth.
Production of manganese ore has risen by 1.4% to 0.70 MMT in FY 2025-26 (April- May) from 0.69
MMT during the corresponding period of previous year. Production of bauxite has also risen by
0.9% to 4.73 MMT in FY 2025-26 (April- May) from 4.69 MMT in FY 2024-25. Production of Zinc
Concentrate has risen by 3.7% to 0.28 MMT in FY 2025-26 (April-May) from 0.27 MMT in FY 2024-
25 (April-May). Production of Limestone has risen by 1.6% to 81.40 MMT in FY 2025-26 (April-
May) from 80.10 MMT in FY 2024-25 (April-May).
In terms of Index Industrial Production for mining and quarrying for the month of April 2025,
minerals like Zinc Concentrate, Limestone and Bauxite had seen notable increase in production
during April 2025 compared to April 2024. Production of zinc concentrate grew by 5.8% to 0.14
MMT and production of Limestone rose by 1.2% to 40.1 MMT in April 2025 over April 2024.
Production of Bauxite rose by 13.6% to 2.13 MMT in April 2025 over April 2024.
In the non-ferrous metal sector, primary aluminium production in FY 2025-26 (April- May) posted a
growth of 1.3% over the corresponding period last year, increasing to 7.07 lakh ton (LT) in FY 2025-
26 (April- May) from 6.98 LT in FY 2024-25 (April- May). During the same period, refined copper
production has grown by 43.5% from 0.69 LT to 0.99 LT.
nd
India is the 2 largest Aluminium producer, among top-10 producer in refined copper and 3rd
largest iron ore producer in the world. Continued growth in production of iron ore in the current
financial year reflects the robust demand conditions in the user industry viz. steel. Coupled with
growth in aluminium and copper, these growth trends point towards continued strong economic
activity in user sectors such as energy, infrastructure, construction, automotive and machinery.
****
Shuhaib T
(Release ID: 2141133)