Parliament Question: Privatisation of Mines

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3206 ANSWERED ON 11.03.2026 PRIVATISATION OF MINES 3206. SHRI SHAFI PARAMBIL: Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state? (a) whether the Government is planning to disinvest the existing public sector companies in mining sector and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of the current profit of the public sector companies in mining; and (c) the details of the steps taken by the Government to enhance efficiency of Public Sector Understanding (PSUs) in mining? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR COAL AND MINES (SHRI SATISH CHANDRA DUBEY) (a):There are three Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) viz. (i) National Aluminium Company Limited (NALCO); (ii) Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL); and (iii) Mineral Exploration and Consultancy Limited (MECL) under the administrative control of the Ministry. Presently, the Ministry has no plan to disinvest in these PSUs (b): Details of the profit after tax earned by these PSUs in last three Financial Years is as under: Sl. No. Financial Year Profit After Tax (In Rs. Crore) NALCO HCL MECL 1 2022-23 1,544 295 14 2 2023-24 2,060 295 70 3 2024-25 5,325 468 84(c): The Government has introduced various transformative measures to increase mineral production and employment generation. Some of the key measures taken for enhancing efficiency of PSUs, includes the following :- (i) Adoption of modern technology, upgraded machinery, digital systems, and production processes, including remote operation and Paste Fill Technology for better ore recovery (ii) Public-Private Partnerships (PPP): Collaboration with private firms for technology, management practices, and investment (iii) Engagement of Mine Developer & Operator (MDO) and outsourcing of non-core activities (iv) Data-driven decision-making, Artificial Intelligence, and robust communication system including 5G network (v) Regular review of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to monitor efficiency (vi) Implementation of Star Rating of Mines to encourage modernisation with emphasis on sustainable mining *****